My acquaintance with books started during my elementary years. The reason perhaps is because I didn't find the need to eat during recess so I hid most of the time in our school's huge library. I always eat a full and hearty breakfast because nobody is allowed out of our door without eating the meal my mother so painstakingly prepared very early daily. I was lucky even though we are not well-of, my parents sent me to an all-girls school run by the Sisters of the Holy Spirit because I am the eldest and I should be the flag bearer of our family. It was a huge responsibility entrusted upon me so I must bear the yoke. I focused in my studies by reading, and then reading, and then reading some more. I am thankful that I was in a way coerced to making reading a habit because I was able to visit different parts of the world, see glimpses of what life is in other countries specially the West. Thus, started my dream to come to this land of milk and honey.
Life happened and it’s turns and detours finally brought me in the US of A at 40. Yes, it was a long and tedious process. Those who know me can attest to how arduous the task was and it’s definitely not easy. I even needed to reinvent myself. From a Chemical Engineer to a full-fledged teacher with Masters in Special Education, just to be able to hit the three critical areas of need for the US-Math, Science, and SpEd. You think applying for a job is easy? Not really, my fellow candidates were principals, supervisors, headteachers and teachers with years and years of classroom experience and Bing, poor Bing… she is just a neophyte with no actual classroom experience. They seem to know each other too when we congregate during job fairs and expos. It was so intimidating and nerve wracking to me.
I didn’t become discouraged. I was so resolute to get the result I wanted so I focused on myself and conquering my fears. I had once heard that F-E-A-R is False Expectations Appearing Real and I need to face fear head on to annihilate it. The question that I had in my mind was “What is my chance of being remembered by the employer among the many that they will interview?” I remembered our very own Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz’ strategy of bagging the crown. She said that she always mingled with the blondes and the fair skinned contestants to stand-out, to be unique. So, in my mind, I needed to get noticed.
True enough, my strategy worked and I got a job offer. You want to know what I did? I sang Mary Poppins’ “A Spoonful of Sugar” when I was asked to demo a lesson about Mixture in elementary science. Was I hired because of my impressive resume? Not! I am here because they recalled my face belting out a song in the middle of a science class like crazy.
I am writing this to motivate aspiring candidates. You are in a better position than me before. Our company made sure that only those who have a minimum of three years of actual classroom experience is given a chance to begin their journey with us. We are here to walk you through the path that we once took alone. You now have a mentor in us but you need to do your part. You need to read, read again, and read some more to become overly prepared to face your own battle because we cannot be in the battlefield with you.
I will be reading too. I will be one with you! Presenting to you one of the books that I promised to find time to read. Thanks God for breaks, praise Him for Spring Break!
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