Life can be full of unexpected things. I’ve been in educational institution for six (6) years and seven (7) years in community. I was able to teach students from kinder to baccalaureate level. These students came from different walks of life. As a teacher, I thought I had seen all kinds of students.

Then pandemic came, businesses and private school were forced to closed even the school which I had been connected.  For this reason, I became jobless and went back to our home in Bulacan to take care of my nieces and nephew, and helped them in their modular schooling.  As I stayed there. I found out that almost all the students in our block were slow in reading and unable to understand those modules which were written in English. It has been my vocation to help those students by giving a free tutorial service. I gathered them in our home, with the permission of their parents and our barangay officials, to facilitate learnings and teach them to read. I felt proud thinking that I was doing good.

Not until I was hired by KnK Philippines which catered children in need of special protection. Children whose eyes were dark and dull. Unable to phantom their thoughts through their acts and words. As I look at them, it feels like I am in middle of an immense space. All my thoughts of seeing all kinds of student and feeling proud for what I was doing good were all shattered.

During my first week of meeting them was a bit challenging. Nine (9) students with different ages and grade levels in school. Their ages were not appropriate with their grade level. Their behavior towards answering their module were not good because some were lazy. They were full of complains. They had their mood swings and sometimes threw tantrums. Worst handwritings were very visible. Some of them were slow reader while others showed unable to read. There were learning gaps need to address. And I need to spend an hour class before allowing them to answer their printed modules. Questions like how I could meet their needs and where to start keep playing in my head until I fall asleep at night.

On my second week, I reroute my way of seeing them. It might be difficult but it’s not impossible. I chose four (4) subjects which will enable to meet their learning gaps little by little. And these subjects were English grammar, mathematics, reading and writing. In the first instance, I started with English alphabet – amending their handwriting and testing their patience. Most of them complained but still able to finish the task that was given. All the topics I presented were not only dealing with their learning gaps but also addressing their issues in patience and mine as well. As we get along, they were able to build confidence in presenting their works; established study habits in answering their modules; developed routine before doing their school activities; some were resisted laziness upon seeing their good grades; they were able to show their talents in different role they played; they began to value the importance of education; and most especially they started to build dreams not only for themselves but for their love ones also.

Some of them were able to graduate with good grades while others were being promoted to next grade level. One student said that, “Education is the most essential weapon we can use in facing all the adversaries. A good education can lead us in a better us.”

As they learned from me, I am also learning in them. As a teacher, what I should give to them was not the needs to meet learning gaps but a heart to accept their shortcomings, flaws and their being. More than any pen and paper can write, I should stroke the rhythm love. Loving them is the basic and necessary tool I need in dealing with them.

Taking everything into account, what I accomplished before is nothing compare on what I achieve with them. They are like a large pearl that I found in the depth of sea. They may have a tarnish past but through perseverance and patience they will produce a bright future.