The Other Side of Mae: On Being Destined to Be a Teacher

This was our board at the MatSci Department yesterday. I was not there when these words were written. I wasn't there to contribute any of these sentiments and realizations. I wasn't there to pour my heart out but these were more than my very own hugot lines! Because first and foremost, I did NOT choose to become a teacher. I never ever wanted to be one! However, I already had this gut feeling when I was still in high school that God wants me to become a teacher. So I left Ozamiz, studied in MSU-IIT, took up Chemical Engineering, became a licensed Chemical Engineer, landed an engineering job in Manila, and had another in an industrial plant in Cebu. I wandered far and long from the will of God. I tried everything just to keep away from what He wants me to do. Long story short, I never felt at home in all those places I went to. My ending, went back home and did nothing for 7 months!

Then I still didn't want to become a teacher. I did data-entry encoding, call center, secretary, online writing, and entrepreneur wannabe (now wannabe no more). I tried all jobs not related to my field, kulang nalang was to apply as a domestic helper. Promise, I was also willing to be one if only I had my own money to pay for the placement agency at that time. Kaloka talaga my tambay days back then! Until came such a time that I suddenly went to MUHS and applied as a secondary science teacher. So I did become a teacher!

Teacher, teacher, teacher! I was already a teacher but I didn't act like a teacher. I just did the profession out of necessity so I've got something to do because at that time, I didn't care if I have money or not. I'd rather not have money than do things I hate. But I had nothing else to do and I also didn't want to forget what I've learned in college. Blood, sweat, and tears lang naman ang ipinuhonan sa IIT, noh! So I also wanted to share whatever knowledge I have.

Then off I went from school to school! From MUHS, Medina College, to La Salle University. OMG! I just realized! I am now on my 7th teaching year! On my first job, I only spent 10 days. Second job, 11 months. And now, it already took me years in this teaching job?! Oh, what a surprise! Isn't it obvious that this is where I should be? In 7 years, quota na ako! Well actually, when a high school batchmate visited me at the store last Monday and asked me why am I settling for less here in Ozamiz 'coz she knows my potential earnings when I do a chemical engineering job abroad, it was my very first time to finally give an answer! With conviction, I told her that this is where I'm meant to be! First time ever, through my words I've come to realize that I had already accepted that I am a TEACHER! This is my fate. This is my calling. This is my vocation. This is my mission. Though it took me 7 years to understand, I now have the heart for teaching!

Anyway, you might be getting me wrong in this. I am not only saying this because my energy is still too high from yesterday's celebration of Catholic Teachers' Day. I'm not only saying this because I was super happy during the celebration and super delighted with my students' surprises. But I am saying this to officially decide to myself that I'll keep teaching until there are students who are willing to be taught. When momentum gives way to gravity, I fall! Fall in love with the teaching profession because I am destined to become a teacher!

The Day Started with This

And This

Then Ended Up Like This!

The friendship I have with the MatSci Department keeps me going through these years!

Once again, thank you so much to the Supreme Student Council for the very bongga Catholic Teachers' Day celebration! And to my Physics majors who never fail me all this time! Thank you so much, guys for the effort, hard work, thoughtfulness, and love. Your love notes truly inspires me to continue being a "mother" not only to you but also to all my other students as well. As always, it is my students who are my dear inspiration! :)