Our modern-day heroes: A closer look into a teacher’s life

Picture this. As you sit idly at your desk gazing quietly outside the classroom windows, someone neatly clad in distinguished hues enters the room, casting a familiar aura that catches your eye. Mindless chattering were instinctively replaced with enthused greetings as all have started to rise from their chairs in practiced unison to acknowledge the wonderful heroes of our time: Teachers.

Teachers are more than just the people who speak in front of a chalk board all day. They are more than the people who check your homework, ask you to recite, or remind you to submit your requirements on time. From imparting life lessons and sharing amusing anecdotes to cracking jokes in class, they are our heroes in every way possible. Not only are they capable of inspiring future innovators and leaders of one generation to the next; they also own the tender heart of a parent, teaching us not only the practical things in life but values to be carried along with us.

On October 5th, we celebrate World Teachers Day to express our love and gratitude to the mentors who have guided us. One of the little things that we can do to show our appreciation is to acknowledge the many efforts that they have made to continue teaching us despite this difficult time. Here we have 4 lovely teachers - the caring Mrs. Fule, the quirky Ms. Vergara, the Math geek Mr. Erepol, and the God-fearing Mr. DeRamos - who were so kind enough to give us a small glimpse into the reality that countless teachers face in this pandemic.

As a teacher, what part of your daily routine has changed since the pandemic and/or with online classes?

Mrs. F: “Before the pandemic, I usually get up as early as 4 am to prepare myself for school.

During the quarantine, I have adjusted my body clock to waking up at 5:30 am. I follow a daily routine, so I will still be productive.”

Ms. V: “This pandemic has actually upended many routines that I have. Instead of conducting classes the traditional way, I now have to do it virtually. From teaching of the lesson to submission and checking of requirements, everything must be done virtually which is much harder than I thought it would be. Gone are the days that we have to stay in school for a standard and structured 7 hours of classes and work. I think this is the biggest change in my routine. We now operate in a flexible schedule which I believe is also beneficial for both the students and teachers.”

Mr. E: “Pre-pandemic, I would usually wake up at 4:00AM to prepare for work. Now, I am able to sleep longer and wake up at 7:00 AM since classes start at 8:00.”

Mr. DR: “Ever since the online classes started, a routine that I have been trying to establish better is my morning prayer and journaling. Now that I have "more time" in the morning, I get to do my prayer and journaling more consistently. Though there are times that I fail to do so. I am trying my best to really establish this routine.”

What are the challenges that you face as a teacher in online classes?

Mrs. Fule: “Since I am a baby boomer, I am not tech savvy. I rely on my kids to help navigate the social media platforms. I consult our Team leader Mr. Abong for technology - related activities. The Millennial & GenZ's are way too advanced, and I am eternally grateful for the help and assistance extended to me. Online checking of assessments is more tedious. I read the answers in lengthy sentences & paragraphs, scroll up & down to save, close windows, continue, and refresh when grading.”

Ms. Vergara: “It is challenging to establish rapport and maintain personal touchpoints with students in our set-up. I cannot force my students to turn on their cameras, so I don’t see whether they are really listening to me or if they understood the lesson. But of course, the show must go on. I believe that strong relationships are critical to student success in the virtual learning environment, so I push myself to try harder.”

Mr. Erepol: “Now that we are working from home, the biggest challenge for me is the amount of preparation that remote learning entails. Aside from the materials we will use for synchronous sessions, we also have to design the online activities we will upload in the learning management system (or LMS) and write modules. Teachers now are not just facilitators of learning. We also have to be content developers, IT experts, guidance counselors, and even parent support systems, aside from performing our duties as members of our respective households.”

Mr. DeRamos: “The challenges that I face right now in this set-up would be: (1) ensuring the complete attendance of my students in class and (2) the anxiety that goes with not seeing the students and wondering if they are listening (or even actually present) during Synchronous sessions.”

What do you consider as the silver lining of the quarantine and/or online classes?

Mrs. Fule: “The silver lining of this quarantine is that I get to work from home keeping me safe from the "virus" and I get to spend quality time with my family. In terms of work, I am embracing the use of technology to keep abreast with this virtual reality.”

Ms. Vergara: “The shift from in-person meetings to online classes is unprecedented and daunting for both teachers and students, but everyone is trying their best to make this work. This quarantine and online classes gave us the opportunity to reflect on what we have been doing and what we have taken for granted. This led us to the realization that compassion, inclusivity, and flexibility can make even the worst of times a little better. Hopefully, when things are back to normal again, and when we finally see each other in school, it will be with a newfound appreciation.”

Mr. Erepol: “It's quite difficult to look for a silver lining in these trying times because COVID19 has caused tremendous damage to everyone. It has drastically altered the ways by which we usually spend our days. Although some are fortunate and privileged enough to use this quarantine to revive old hobbies, binge watch favorite shows, or spend more time with family members, this is not a reality that applies to all.”

Mr. DeRamos: “Amidst the anxieties, fears and worries brought about the new set-up in classes, I can say for certain that this is a good time to really discover a lot of things about ourselves that we may not normally get the chance to before. This is also a wonderful opportunity for us to be more understanding and compassionate towards each other because we are all going through the same worries and fears. We should develop empathy even more.”

What do you miss the most about teaching in CSA?

Mrs. Fule: “I miss teaching in the classroom. I miss the intellectual and social interaction with students and colleagues. I miss the colorful and meaningful activities in CSA. I have been in CSA for 35 years. CSA has been part of my life!”

Ms. Vergara: “I miss seeing my students and my colleagues in-person. . I miss talking to them and hearing their laughter. I miss the different activities, get-togethers and celebrations we have. Nothing beats Augustinian festivities!”

Mr. Erepol: “I miss interacting with students! This is the main thing. Seeing their reactions (real time) whenever they understand something or whenever a concept is unclear to them, is something that I consider significant as a teacher of Mathematics. Unfortunately, these reactions are quite difficult to observe in an online set-up. I also miss the small talks whenever I would pass by students in the hallway. It always made me feel good when students would randomly come up to me just to tell me something about their day. Building rapport then was a lot easier. It's quite difficult to connect now through computer screens.”

Mr. DeRamos: “Well, obviously I miss being with my colleagues and friends in CSA. And I also miss interacting with the students. Though there are means of meeting online, nothing beats the personal, face-to-face interaction that we used to have pre-pandemic.”

What message and/or pieces/s of advice would you give to your students?

Mrs. Fule: “My message for the students is taken from one of the homilies of Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD about what this pandemic has taught us. Focus on LOVE in your heart, not the work of your hands in achievements. Focus on persons not functions. Focus more on what God says, not what people say. Focus on "candle glow" moments with family & friends, not on loud parties. Focus on your blessings, not what is missing (forget what the world owes you, but what you owe your parents. It's pay back time!). Focus on believing, not doubting (believe that God loves you). Focus on the Creator, not the creatures. Finally, focus on LOVE; let go of that baggage- the bag of regrets- the "what could have beens"s". The pandemic is cleansing us. Everything takes time. Be still, and everything will fall into place.”

Ms. Vergara: “Dear students, I hope that you are all healthy and safe. Despite the circumstances, I am happy that you are still continuing your studies and pursuing your dreams. I hope you continue to be resilient, embrace a growth mindset, learn to manage your time and tasks, and practice adaptive performance. As we navigate these uncertain times, please remember that your teachers are here for you. We are all in this together. We are praying for you. We are looking forward to seeing you again soon!”

Mr. Erepol: “Stay healthy! I know that online learning is very demanding but always remember to take care of yourself. Eat healthy, sleep longer, and take breaks! Being productive is good but we can only continue to be productive if we have a sound mind and body.”

Mr. DeRamos: “To you, our dear students, please remember that you are not alone in this part of your journey. You have us, your teachers to guide you along the way. Don't beat yourself up for not being able to do the things you see online. Focus on your journey and the things that you can learn from each step that you take. Always find hope amidst all the fears, worries, and anxieties that you are experiencing. Pray always. Even when your prayers seem dry or empty, just turn to God. He listens. He knows. He understands. And in His Word, He reminds us that "there is a time for everything" and "not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself" and that "all things work together for good." You are loved and appreciated, always.”

There we have it! Our teachers are truly admirable for the hard work and dedication they show everyday. Let us continue to express our gratitude to the teachers around us on this day and each day after. And as Guy Kawasaki once said,

“If you have to put someone on a pedestal, put teachers. They are society’s heroes.”

WRITER'S PROFILE

LIA SASHA A. DE VELEZ

Features Staffer

Grade 11 STEM