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
