OF THANK YOU AND GOODBYE

As days of my exit in the service draw near, the fangs of separation blues begin to set in. I start to miss the people whom I made memories with in almost four decades of hustling and bustling with daily work. Memories of experiences dealing with students who have become part of my life went flashing in my mind. A painful reminiscent of episodes and images of people who brought tears to my eyes and scarred my heart came like reels in a movie. I tend to be emotional and nostalgic with the kind of life I have to leave, but I do not like to cleave on such feeling because this is just another chapter in life and a forthcoming episode is about to begin in my drama of life.

Yes, I CAN’T SIMPLY SHAKE OFF MEMORIES. This is going to be my second getting over a separation, one after my husband’s passing away and now an exit from the service. Life has its share of change and man has his own mechanism of living and coping with change. I am about to begin another episode in my journey to life; there’s a new challenge I have to meet, but this excites me more because as a mother there is nothing more rewarding than taking care of a child and seeing her through the fulfillment of a dream and getting the perks of a “second citizenship”, the Senior Citizen status.

Some people asked me why I have to retire at 60 when I can serve five more years. My answer is very SIMPLE. LIFE IS TOO SHORT to accomplish what you would wish for. After two weeks from graduation in college, I have devoted more than half of my life to government service; it is now an opportunity to give quality time to myself and my family, who at times have become second priority over my work. I believe that it is how you will spend your retirement years that count. Personally, it is not a time to be idle. Retirement is just like spending time in another realm of service devoid of deadlines and pressures. Aside from the family, the church and the community are vast avenues for service. As long as you lead a PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE, and you cling to the ONE ABOVE, retirement years would always be a chapter in life to be cherished.

“Ay, classroom teacher ka lang?” What an UNDERSTATEMENT! I was quite insulted by hearing such remark for more than once, but on the other hand, I was quite elated because maybe some people thought I would be better off in a different career path. Well, I have my priorities and I had my choice. I left the comfort of an airconditioned and peaceful office and settled in a classroom with rowdy students, at times, but I found more fulfillment, meaning and significance in the service. I have no regrets, anyway. I had savored the limelight of success in my work, that’s enough for me.

Goodbyes are not meant to be sad for it calls for a celebration of thanksgiving because no matter how happy or sad life experiences could be, man has learned to be better and stronger in the end.

For people who have been my friends in the service, I owe them a lot because they have been my partners in the delivery of a noble mission in educating the young. At times when I am in the brink of dissatisfaction , they give me the push to go on.

Five principals, three department heads and four curriculum chairmen have nurtured me. They have distinct personalities and I have embodied and cherished the lessons I have learned from them. I must admit I am not an obedient subordinate because I tend to defy instructions when I feel they are beyond reason but I have always been supportive of activities and definitely, I do not laze on my responsibilities. I believe I do not always have to be complacent because sometimes we have to look at the other side to see the whole picture, and to me, this is a healthy work environment.

I like working with people who cater to innovations and offer solutions to situations. I hate people who tattle and squabble over issues and create division rather than solutions. I hold my respect and admiration for my fellow teachers who are silent workers but they bring loud accomplishments in the school. They don’t demand fanfares or even promotions; they are just content with a simple citation on a piece of paper or perhaps a mere congratulatory remark.

Through the years, there is ONE DISTINCT LESSON I have learned and that is NEVER DECLARE that you are the best or DEMAND RESPECT from colleagues. WORK FOR EXCELLENCE and WORK WITH EXCELLENCE because that will declare who you are as a worker and respect will be duly accorded to you. More so, ACCOMPLISHMENT is what merits most more than TITLES.

I get annoyed, I get tired, I get angry but I miss my students. Their mischiefs brought me laughter; their joys became my happiness; their obliviousness challenged me; their indifference roused me; their achievements fulfilled me; their talents amazed me; their tears drew me closer to them; their respect and love dignified my persona and my profession. I am blest with a multitude of talented students who in a way, were instrumental for my rising from a Teacher I to a Master Teacher I, in a span of five years, and later made me a Master Teacher II. They MADE A TEACHER OUT OF ME and I greatly appreciate that.

For people who may had been uncomfortable or annoyed of how I work, I thank them, too, because they made me work some more to prove them wrong and assure myself that I can be better off without them. I have my own motivations, I have my own way of doing things, I have my own aspirations and I respect other people’s intentions and their way of doing things. I hope they did respect mine. It might be that our vibes are not on the same wavelengths but we still gyrate on the same sphere. Anyway, I believe that as long as I am doing things for the better and for the benefit of many and I do not step on others toes, I don’t see it as a problem. I always remind myself, “YOU CAN NEVER PLEASE EVERYONE”, so be it.

How could I not include my family? . . . they are the wind beneath my wings. My late husband was my private tutor especially on history, economics and social issues. We delve on discussions which oftentimes form part of my lessons. He was my number 1 critic whenever I prepare speeches or write-ups. He was my avid Brigada Eskwela volunteer way before Brigada Eskwela started. He used to prepare food for our Department whenever we have special occasions. My late mother-in-law, a teacher herself, was my defender especially if there is already a rising clamor in the family that I have a lot of school work and I oftentimes go home late or work extra days in school. My daughter gave me a deeper understanding of what students expect from their teachers. I remember her branding me as “A TERROR IN A SHEEP’S SKIN” because she knew that I give my students difficult work and activities, yet, I am softhearted with their pleas. But later on, she learned that I am no different from the teachers she met in high school. I have set a higher standard because I want my students to excel and grow into better persons for their family, country and the world.

My superiors as well as my colleagues TAUGHT ME A LOT and I am glad that I still have good dealings with them especially those who have left the service ahead of me. I learned human nature at the fore. I gained friends who became my family who stood behind my every “ups and downs” in both school and family life.

I understood and developed selfless service. I valued time not only in work but as well as in my personal life. I respected people more regardless of stature because I learned that PEOPLE serve as a NETWORK FOR EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE. I embraced EXCELLENCE, LOVE for work, RESPECT for other people’s choices and preferences, and SERVICE for humanity. I became a strong and seasoned personality in dealing with a plethora of highly-motivated, multi-talented and competent people. I grew up in a highly competitive workplace .

Capiz National High School, with a teaching staff of almost three hundred highly dependable people and a studentry of more than six thousand, is a vast jungle where you can be TRAPPED in a web of complexities, yet, be able to ENDURE and EMERGE and SAY . . . I SURVIVED!

THANK YOU, my beloved Alma Mater . . . my home for four decades. I am not saying goodbye because I know you will always be A HOME I can come back to.

GOD BLESS!