This is my life as a teacher…
Five years ago, I was afraid and was pressured to teach in a remote area for the first time.
I taught in a private school for two years, and there I was trained well and became more effective as a teacher. I am strict back then, and I am firm with my words. I do what I say so. So when I decided to go out and challenge myself outside. I am fired up to share all my knowledge in public school.
So when I was accepted as a public school teacher, I was excited, and I am ready to widen my experiences as a teacher and very optimistic about sharing what I have learned in my previous years. I knew back then that being a knowledgeable teacher was enough, and being strict was necessary. Still, everything changed when I was assigned to a school of Indigenous people in our country, the Philippines, mostly known as Aeta’s. They are living in a mountain area in our province named Zambales. It is 2 hours away travel from the town proper.
When my first day began, I admit that I was shocked with their culture, way of life, and attitudes. They all look at me and smile whenever my eyes meet theirs. Maybe they are also uncomfortable knowing they will have another teacher, another adjustment, another change.
At first, adjustments are very hard for me, especially in my teaching. Our school head oriented me about their lives and family situation that affects their schooling—knowing that people living in remote areas lack access to many aspects, especially regarding health, transportation, money matters, and education. Over time, here are the things that changed me as a teacher and person.
I am adjusting to the ways of my teaching.
In this factor, I adjusted a lot, though I was oriented that here, we need to focus on primary teaching where we have to focus on their reading, writing, and numeracy. Not because they are incapable of learning something but because there are factors that affect their slow progress in learning.
I understand the way of their living.
Most of their income comes from planting vegetables, harvesting rice, fishing, and hunting animals. It is simple, and because of poverty, there are times that they go to school with an empty stomach and have no snack for recess time. So sometimes they are days that they are absent because they need to find some food to eat and plant vegetables for their income. I am used to being understanding and considerate with them, so when they come back after days of being absent,I will never scold or punish them; instead, I give them a chance to cope with our lessons and help them to overcome all the hardships in learning.
Also, the other factor that affects their learning is that their parents highlighted the labor of getting their own to school is difficult given other priorities such as cultural obligations and demands of multiple authorities.These Indigenous people do not give much importance to formal education since their primary concern is their basic needs, such as food. So many of their parents did not attend and finish school, so they cannot give learning assistance at home.
Teaching with a heart is priceless.
Teaching itself is useless, but teaching with a heart is priceless. At first, I knew to be an effective teacher, you need to focus on the facts and ideas you shared, but I was wrong; teaching that touches someone’s heart is the most important thing. Sympathy and consideration are what they taught me along the way.
These people are very soft-hearted, sensitive, and very appreciative at the same time. Yes, I find difficulties in teaching them, but patience is a virtue. I need to give them more attention every day. But when they feel that you give effort and make them think you love them, they will make you feel it too. And it will give them more encouragement to pursue their studies despite all the difficulties in their life.
Caring is a blessing.
I learned to care for them not just as a teacher but rather as a mother and a friend. I care for them as my child. I always check their proper hygiene, cleanliness, and food. During recess, I offer them food with my money to surpass their hunger and make them concentrate on learning. I always check their nails and cut them for myself when I see them long and dirty. I always check their hair to look more presentable and clean. And they appreciate me for giving them care, and they will make me feel that I am a blessing to them.
These are things that I realized for over five years of my life teaching there. Many people ask me, “What are you doing there? It’s about time to seek transfer and find greater opportunities and development in another school.”
I’ll answer them:
I love my learners, I love my Indigenous learners, and teaching them is my most outstanding achievement in life. I will never regret staying here for so long because they took my heart and changed my life perspective.
These things may be challenging and complex, but having them is a blessing in my life. This is not a waste of time and energy for me, I guess this is life, and it will always be worth it.
I hope I can touch more hearts and change them for the better. Time will come that they will never get underestimated by society, that even living in a remote area, someday they can be the best version of their lives that is productive and effective as a human.
This is my life as a teacher, they are my Indigenous learners, and I am proud to be their teacher!
Thank you so much, and see you in my next blog!
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Thank you so much! ♥️ I really appreciate this po 💓😍
You are doing AMAZING work @teacherlynlyn 🙌
From now on, when I start to complain that I have to work (teacher here as well) I will just read again your post and remind myself how wonderful profession we have 😍
Thank you so much! ♥️🥰
I really appreciate you. ♥️
I am so happy to know that you have the same profession as mine 🥰 I am just so proud. Thank you so much for dropping by 🥰 All the best for you, and more power. ♥️
😇
Yes, we have the same profession. I started again this week, after two and a half months of summer break :)
All the best to you too 😃
Take care always and salute to you ♥️😍 Keep safe always! Thank you so much again. ♥️😍
all the beautiful smiles! 😊🤙
and a very lovely dress too!
Thank you so much, and thank you for dropping by 🙂
⋆ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ғᴏʀ sᴏᴜᴛʜᴇᴀsᴛ ᴀsɪᴀɴ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ ᴏɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ
⋆ sᴜʙsᴄʀɪʙᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ
⋆ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsᴇᴀɴ ʜɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴜɴɪᴛʏ ᴠᴏᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʀᴀɪʟ
⋆ ᴅᴇʟᴇɢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʟɪɴᴋs 25 ʜᴘ⇾50 ʜᴘ⇾100 ʜᴘ⇾500 ʜᴘ⇾1,000 ʜᴘ
Thank you so much ASEAN Hive! It's my greatest pleasure to be in this community. More power! ♥️🥰
Such a wonderful priviledge to teach these types of people with pure hearts and are always ready to learn in spite of it all. Salute!
Thank you so much! You're right, they always have the willingness despite all the struggles in life. 😍♥️
Thank you for dropping by.
First of all a salute to you teacher lyn.
We all know that kids in remote areas doesn't get the right education due to a lot of factors but with the efforts and dedication such as yourself, a teacher, I know that a fire will be lighted up in their soul to pursue what they want and to get out of their comfort zones.
I'm happy for them for having you as the one who guides them. Again more powers to all teachers out there.
Thank you so much! Thank you for your nice words. It will always be my pleasure to serve them, for their future. I'm just hoping that I can do more things about them and give them more what they need.
Thank you so much again, and God bless you. ♥️
I'm sure that one will come true po when time permits it.
Hoping po that you'll continue to teach our young ones for them to reach their dreams po..
This is one of the reasons why I liked you teacher Lyn, the way you give your time and attention to our natives, you are giving them hopes and care that they have now the chances to move along, to be successful in the next year's to come. Im happy seeing them with those beautiful smile and that is because of the best teacher they have.
Thank you so much Eunoia!
They're all precious to me, and it will always be my happiness to be with them and guide them for the best of what they can be in the future.
I will do my best always, because they always deserves the best ♥️ Thank you so much again and God bless.
!PIZZA
I am so proud of you sis @teacherlynlyn. You really have a big heart for those kids and yes teaching with a heart is what they need. Teaching them the basic about education like reading and writing is what they really need before the other subjects.
May God bless you as you will continue to serve kids like them.
Thank you so much Sis Jen! ♥️
Because of so many factors, we need to focus more with the basics for them to cope up easily. And yes, a heart that cares, and a heart that truly loves them are the things they need. ♥️🙂
Thank you so much Sis Jen! and God bless you even more. 🙂
Hats off teacher Lynlyn - reading this blog put a smile on my face as I know that it took a lot of effort in teaching our young ones in this region.
Their smile is priceless! Hopefully, you can ignite hope in them to pursue studies in the future even though we know that basic needs will always be a priority to them.
You are such an inspiration. !LUV
@tpkidkai(1/3) gave you LUV.
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Thank you so much! ♥️
Thank you so much ♥️ I really appreciate your kind words! I really do. ♥️ I am just hoping for the best of them in the future, and it will always be my pleasure to be their teacher. 🙂
Thank you so much again and more blessings to come po. ♥️
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