WUP Memento: Who's your professor?

At the onset of the semester I did not only spell out my name to my students but wrote it on the board.  Come final examination I couldn't help but laugh for nobody got the spelling right. 

WUP Memento: Fellow Instructors/Friends/Brothers/Sister

WUP Memento: Kids at WUP

I am flanked by AB sophomore students during CAS Day.

She is Abby; one of my A students.

More than a student, Stellapie is like a younger sister to me.

Who says I am very stern? I mingle with kids too!!!

These are the lovely CAS girls who never fail to brighten my day.

She is Alex; an out-spoken, intelligent, and charming young lady.

The equally lovely friends Erika and Rhea love to explore the city's night escape.

These girls were trying to knock off that edgy feeling before the thesis defense.

Two seats apart yet my students managed to top their Final Exam.  

An Open Letter to My Graduating Students

Guys,

Let me begin by greeting you for a job well done. Congratulations!

You are now about to start a new chapter of your life; far challenging that the last four/five years. I am very proud of you. I am aware that I am one of the unpopular professors and sometimes branded as the “bad guy” for being very stern inside (and sometimes outside) the classroom. I pushed you hard because I knew you could do better. So once you are out in the real world, outside you safe zone, you will be able to deliver what is expected of you. You are learned and educated. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR MEDIOCRITY.

A piece of unsolicited advice: I always relate studying to running. Like running I know that your goal is to graduate on time. Talk about personal best! But like what I always remind you, I am after the PROCESS. How did reach the finish line? How did you overcome the challenges? What were the lessons you learned? Did you meet new friends? For all I know you could always flag down a cab or take a short cut. It is all up to you. But the end of the day you have to assess yourself. Do you deserve the merits? You need not to answer my question. Just ponder on it…

Guys, you will all be terribly missed. I may not be flashy of my thoughts and feelings but please know that you have a special spot in my heart. All of you! We may not meet again. You may forget me. It does not matter. As long as you always remember and live by the values you learned from your Alma Mater, that is what I call fulfillment.

Once again, congratulations!

SMWS Memento: HS Kids

SMWS Memento: GS Kids

SMWS Memento: Fellow Teachers and Friends

Love Letters from Students

Left with nothing to and I decided to check my albums. Two photos made me teary-eyed.

Accidental Teacher

I am a Communication Arts graduate. However, I landed in teaching profession. Many wonder why I did not pursue a career in media. How did I become a teacher?

Here’s my story.

When I was child I wanted to become a pediatrician. The infirmary in Central Luzon State University was my playground when I was growing up. Every time my mother accompanied me to work, I would see nurses and doctors in white lab gowns. I thought they looked neat and dainty. I thought I wanted to wear lab gown too!

At an early age I knew I wanted to become a doctor until few weeks before I went to college my father talked to me. He apologized for not being able to keep his promise. He added that it was futile to take pre-med course because he knew he could not send me to med school. I cried. But what broke my heart was seeing my father cry because of frustration. He was probably blaming himself for making me dream about becoming a doctor. After all he was the one who motivated and encouraged me by telling me stories about doctors.

It was awful to see someone I look up to and admire the most cry. Thus, I promised myself I would one day become a doctor and make my father proud.

Summer of 2000 my father and I travelled all the way to Davao City. I was to join the Summer Bridge Program of the University of the Philippines. I was told however that I did not qualify in BS Biology program and I had to choose another program with available slot. Hence, I was forced to join BA Communication Arts program. I thought I could shift after a year.

Four years later and shifting to another program didn’t happen. I enjoyed the program. My classmates were cool and fun. My professors were great.

After completing my undergraduate program I decided to work in BPO. At first I was having fun. It was sort of a continuation of my college life. It felt like I was still in UP. However I woke up one day realizing it was not the kind of job I would want to do for the rest of my life. I wanted something else but I was not sure what it is. At first I did not know where to go and what to do. So I asked my boss for a vacation went to Sagada. When I got there I saw children lining up along the streets waiting for tourists. I realized I wanted to become a teacher. Thus, I went back to school. It was somehow challenging because I tried to juggle work and school. After earning units in Education, I took the Licensure Examinations for Teachers and quit BPO.

Luckily, I was hired as a full-time SPED teacher at St Mary of the Woods School. I did not have background in special education. I did not know how to handle kids with special needs. Good thing my fellow teachers were extra kind and they helped me along the way. Challenging I would say was an understatement.

After a year though, I left SMWS. My father went to Canada so I had to go home and be with my mother. I got hired at Wesleyan University Philippines. I handled English courses and a few Mass Communication courses.

My contact in WUP has ended. I plan to teach in high school. I realized I did not only want to grow old in this profession but I wanted leave a legacy to my students. I thought I could only do it in handling younger learners.

Why is that? Watch this vid.

(c) Faculty by Jerrold Tarog