Antiqueños Community Website - Province of Antique, Philippines

Freedom of Choice: A teacher’s life.

Posted by Ronie L Mataquel

Nearly nine years ago I was at the EDSA shrine joining the number of protesters demanding Estrada’s resignation. I saw different kinds of people in different walks of life asking Estrada to step down from office. The grounds of bribery, graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust triggered the whole nation to gather at EDSA for the second time. Filipinos are exposed to political and economic risk of some kind but others don’t operate mindlessly in trying to smooth out the crisis. I realized that the nature of freedom of expression is that sometimes people will misuse their responsibility and hurt themselves in the process. In the same manner I saw the unexplainable joyfulness of the crowd with their freedom of choice. Amidst the political and economic crisis in the country the spirit of EDSA encouraged me to use my freedom of choice - the freedom to educate people. At this time I widened my horizon of possibilities. I dream of seeing a bit of a world. After nine years of my fruitful teaching elementary kids and a math coach in the Division of Makati, I joined the group of teachers who are into exploring a bigger world of sharing knowledge.

I remember the days when my mom told me that "Education is the most potent instrument in the development of the human resources of the nation". For Filipinos, poverty is eschewed while education is desired. It is therefore not surprising that Filipinos, rich or poor give the highest priority to educational investment over all other forms of economic investment". It was September of 2002 when I started sharing my educational profit to American kids. It is pleasant to hear that I am now an International teacher. My first day in school was the most exciting moment of my life. I was very overwhelmed. I am truly honored to serve, as an elementary teacher in Sacramento California. But teaching means responsibility. It is more than a job. My first few months were a nightmare. It is even worst than the political crisis in the Philippines. As time passed by I realized that my freedom of choice is not worth it. The diversity of the population and the different kind of cultures made me realized that I am not yet ready for the broader sense of responsibility. One evening when I returned home from school, I eased off from schoolwork and savored some photos of my daughter sent by my wife. I was struck by how much she had grown since I left for the United States. She reminded me of all the beautiful things being in my own homeland, being with my family. She reminded me of the Philippine school setting; my previous work and social environments that I have grown accustomed too.

On the other hand, I share the same faith with other Filipinos working abroad struggling just to bring bread and butter on the table. That night I made another choice, this time for the future of my family. Being a Filipino we have so many resources. If we fail, we always have second chances. I resigned from my work in Sacramento California and decided to teach in the "big apple". I challenged my self, way beyond my comfort zone. I applied as high school math teacher. Teaching is a learning process. Sometimes natural skills and learning methods may be barriers, but they are temporary. I used my previous experiences as a challenge, a guide and an inspiration for a brighter one. I was able to function as a teacher. I’ve been here in the US teaching American kids for six years and sharing my life together with my two beautiful kids and wife. I am so blessed being part of an American educational sytem. Amidst the crisis Americans are facing I’ve come to realize that protecting freedom of choice in our everyday lives is essential to increase our creative skills and creates a burning desire for success.

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Comments (1)

	1. 21-10-2008 11:11
	congrats congrats for all the success you've gained and for being steadfast on your belief and the good values that your parents had inculcated in you... agree with you on the said freedom of choice Registered Report

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