My Teacher, My Hero: A local, personal recount of the teachers’ day celebration

FS Blog dated November 26, 2010

In a country perceived to have economy marred with instability, flawed with morality concerns, feared for issues of security and tight means of living, then how the Filipinos of today would even contend for an education that would set the standard for today in this ever competitive world? In as much as the education quality is in a state of disparity with what has been considered as international standard, the leaders deployed new and judicious programs to connect both the poles separated by the entire blunder encompassing the different sectors of the Filipino society. It is downbeat, perhaps, from head to foot but unless an unprecedented stride –no matter how small it will be- is attempted then never will come the changes that may spell the difference between educational accomplishment and collapse.

October 5, 2010 is now considered a milestone in the continuous development of education in the district of Rizal. The World Teachers’ Day was celebrated as a testament of the district’s unremitting search for plurality among the industrious and competent members of the Teaching Force. For one glorious day, these ever diligent and conscientious teachers converged at Rizal Central School, bringing themselves the pride and honor of being a teacher who are, in a way or the other, has been consistently drizzled with work. They were pampered with worthy praises and accolades which are indeed proper.

The event started at around 8:00 am with program that served as the kick-off activity of the day. All public school teachers from north to south of Rizal came in to participate, not because it is required but more of the moral accountability surrounding their being teachers after all. Highlighting the program was a contest in Folk Dancing joined by each school. The activity became even more exciting as the different contest was called. There were the Vocal Solo, the Song Writing, Essay Writing and Poster Making contested during the actual day and also the Search for the Outstanding Teachers and Master Teachers prejudged the week before. In the afternoon, parlor games were held signifying that teachers, no matter how serious they are inside the classroom, are also capable of enjoyment and fun. The centipede game, the egg & eggplant clash and the Pinoy Henyo- Rizal district style all brought tremendous finicky rolling laughter across the entire quadrangle where teachers played and displayed their rallies and effort. Ma’am Sally Mateo, ASDS and Ma’am Joy Gagarin, ES I both graced the affair with their presence. Awarding ceremony came and everybody cheered their comrades both winners and not.

In the end, it was all nothing but success. The essence of a needed break in the ever demanding resilience for the daily task in school combined for the wonderful day of celebration lifting up the spirits of the Rizal district teachers. It was a stride. A stride, no matter how small is still a stride. It may not define success in the sense of promotion of the untamed quality of education yet but sufficient enough to present a rupture in the monotony of daily school work. Now, after the last word has been said and the last coin has been tossed, all the teachers went home with smiles bearing a contented heart for a day that changed the downbeat tune into an upbeat rock and roll of being both a teacher and a hero.