Friday, November 23, 2012

That Afternoon

So there I was, fixing my things after a long, hard day of work. I piled the kids' folders one by one as I gave an attempt to organize everything as best as I can. 

It was almost sunset when I was able to finish organizing everything.

"Excuse me, Ma'am. Good afternoon po," greeted a woman's voice from behind. I glanced to look. It was my student Farah* and her guardian.

"Yes, hello. Good afternoon po," I smiled.

"Ma'am, I would like to ask for permission from you if you can allow Angel* to be absent tomorrow on their P.E. day." I gave her a second look and peered at the child she was holding; It wasn't my student Angel, it was Farah.

Although skeptical, I replied, "Why is that so po?"

"You see, she has no P.E. uniform,"
"I'm sorry but I would not allow her to be absent for that reason alone," was my reply. I was beginning to be confused for one, she's stating that Farah's name was Angel. Two, her reason for Farah's absence was pretty shallow.

"It's not that I'm being inconsiderate here,but I'm really just concerned to the activities she will miss if she will be absent for that reason alone," I continued. "If you really insist, I won't restrain you po. I just want you to be aware of what she will miss if she'll be absent tomorrow."

Suddenly, her tone changed. "She has a heart problem! She cannot be present on her P.E. day!"

I was beginning to be more confused. "Uh.. just to let you know, it doesn't mean that she's wearing her P.E. uniform, she will also be running. We wear P.E. uniforms but we do not run nor do any strenuous activities for the children on that day. in fact, there are days that we JUST wear P.E. uniforms."

"THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH YOU! YOU'RE SO INCONSIDERATE!!" she snarled at me.

I was getting more perplexed about the situation at hand.

"Huh? How was I being inconsiderate?" 

"Let's go Angel! Say goodbye to your favorite teacher!" she grabbed Farah and stormed away. My student, Farah even stuck her tongue out to me.

"Bantay lang na si Miss Ginete!" she muttered angrily as she left.

Speechless and dumbfounded, I watched her leave. 

Then behind me, I heard my colleage say, "You should inculcate values in your lesson so that your student would not have done that."

"Huh? But I always do that!" was my confused reply.

Suddenly, the hallway turned pitchblack. All I can see were my student and her guardian. The images then, began to swirl and move to the center like in a huge blackhole. Then in an infinitesimal second, I was in my bedroom.





Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Teacher's Blues

Today was a real rough day. 

Today felt like a suicide battle with the kids and I'm not kidding. I lost my patience despite my tremendous effort in keeping myself calm. The kids were running everywhere and anywhere like they do not recognize that there's a teacher in front of them. They were even playing during the practice when it was time to listen and behave. Their lines were not straight. They were really busy talking. I was brimming with frustration today. I swear I would've muttered (mild) profane language-- but thank goodness I was able to hold myself back. 

It's so frustrating to have finally found the correct classroom management and lose it the moment you realize you were already doing good! I really do my best everyday to handle my kids. I always search for good strategies in keeping them interested, manageable and disciplined. Oh how I wish I could be the best in classroom management. I wish I could be the best teacher I can be.

I know I can. I know achieve it--- but today just feels like I'm really far from my goal. 

We usually coin this as, "na-imbyerna."

It's okay. I still am positive that I can handle my kids tomorrow and the days after. I know they have the potential to be good and disciplined students. I know I also have the potential to be a good teacher. Today just was not the day for that.

This post is not about me, complaining and whining about my day. This is about how I feel and how I take it. Everyday is a challenge and I won't give up. I know I'll be better. I just need to be patient with my kids and most especially with myself. Take it easy. Forgive yourself. Just do better.

It made me realize.. that all those material wishlist I wanted for Christmas do not mean a thing when my kids are not performing well in school. How I wish I have a student who can actually read and understand this post. XD *sigh*

Yes, today-- I'm feeling the teacher's blue.




Monday, November 19, 2012

My 2012 Wishlist


It is no doubt the start of the Yuletide season.  I can feel the Christmas season in the weather (thanks, rain), in the wallet (13th month pay, so sweet), in the classroom (Christmas balls never go out of style) and with the people (Hello my manita, who happens to identify me no thanks to my banga moves in giving the Kris Kringle gifts secretly).
As the season of gift giving is fast approaching, the malls are displaying more objects for sale—most especially in the clothes, shoes, bags and GADGETS department! So this post is dedicated to the generous souls (or to the person who got my codename in the Kris Kringle) who would like to give me something. Well, this is just a list of my Christmas wish list. :D
1.       Neutral or Earth colored flats or sandals
-          Yes, since I started teaching pre-schoolers, I have discovered my love for flats instead of heels. They make me move easily and comfortably. I also find them stylishly unique. I opt for neutral or earth colors because they are easy to match with any colors (or it’s simply because most of my clothes in my wardrobe are dominantly on the neutral or earth colored side—for short, the boring colors). I like neutral and earth colors because I find them interestingly cool and simple.
2.       Any formal floral blouse
-          I have been hunting at the mall for these kinds of blouses so I can wear them during wash days in school but none seem to fit my taste. I can usually find them in online stores; however, I really do not want to go through the hassle of texting, meeting and stuff (unless I’m buying a gadget that will make it HEAPS cheaper). I found one in Forever 21, but it’s a sleeveless blouse. -.-
3.       A pair of decent eyeglasses
-          I have been advised to wear glasses (HNNOOOOOOO!—yes?) because of my astigmatism. The optometrist said it’s not a NEED, if I can tolerate the headaches brought by it. Since I noticed my headaches have been recurrent these days, I think it’s tme to heed her advice. I found one that cost for 4,000Php to which was discounted to me for 2,000Php—and I declined, thinking I didn’t need it until now.
4.     Rubber-Silicone Swatch
-          It may not be evident but I’m a fan of watches. I have several watches, but only two are working now. Most of my watches are either dead because of battery problems or strap problems. Some watches, (although if I changed the battery already) don’t work anymore. I liked that watch I saw in SM. It costs 3,000Php. O.< But it’s rubber-silicone! It won’t stink when you sweat, it’s water resistant and it has 2-year warranty. T_T
5.       A Jansport Backpack with cute design (preferably Earth or Neutral colors)
-          A friend sold some backpacks back in my last year in college.  I could have afforded them, but then again, me, being an ever thrifty-at-the-wrong-places person, said and thought I don’t need it. I have several bags at home, which all turned out to be damaged or too small for my everyday needs in school.  I saw some bags online which costs 1,600Php (but I didn’t like the design).
6.       IPOD TOUCH 5th GEN!!!!!
-          Since my iPod broke, I’ve been wanting to have it fixed ASAP. Unfortunately, no store here in Davao fixes Classic iPods’ LCD. So I thought to myself, I’ll use this old iPod as a storage device and get an itouch 4. Then, I started browsing at the apple store. I saw the ipod 5. Huge difference in the gadget itself with only 3,000Php difference. Now, I find myself drooling for the iPod. I thought I could have got my hands on this baby this month—but I was wrong. I gotta wait for 1 or 2 more pay days. T_T I’ve been constantly searching for discounts, online stores or even at the malls for cheaper prices but I still---- It’s okay. I know I’ll get you soon. I’ll just have to work hard for it to achieve it.
I might sound a little materialistic with this post, but then again, it’s a WISH list. I’ll always want to be with my family and loved ones above all that. Time, bonding and good health with my family. Peace and unity with my colleagues. Guidance and protection for my kids. More years of love and understanding with my Pahdee. :3 Afterall, none of these would matter if I’d be alone and if I’d have no one to share it with right? (Uh. I can share the flats and the blouse with my mom? XD) I know you know what I mean. Chocolates still count. J
Merry Christmas everyone!