I AM AN EDUCATOR AND A ROTACTOR: I AM AN INSPIRATION

SABRINA GRACE SALA

“Angel is a wobbly girl with dry and tangled hair, she has scars around her arms and holding something inside her ragged t-shirt while sniffing – a rugby. Marco was forcefully brought from Manila to Angeles City when he was young with a hope that he will find his success here; now is at begging and ekes out a living in this way. Marriane entered into the flesh trade at the age of eight years old, earning her meals by forcefully giving sexual pleasure to tourists in Angeles City’s “red light” district. Jason, an eleven – year old, an in and out fan of police stations; his crimes – snatching phones, wallets, and robbery.

These are the realities have not spared the country and most specially here in Angeles City. Social issues that need to be addressed, problems that cannot be given solutions or there is no way of helping them to change, helping them to improve the kind of life they have. A Confucian adage states that “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”. This is somehow my source of motivation in kindling the path of realization to a humane and just society.

I am an educator and at the same time, a rotaractor. Being part of the Rotaract Club of Angeles Kuliat added ingredient to my profession as an educator. It gives me more reasons to love my work. It deepens my passion in sharing my talents and skills to my TVL students. Through this, I am utilizing some of the areas of focus set by our mother club – the Rotary International.

The first area am dealing with is Incorporate conflict resolution and mediation strategies into service projects involving local schools, orphanages, workplaces, and community centers. As the adviser of the Interact Club (the younger generation club of the Rotary International) of the school where I am serving (Angeles City Trade National High School) we do some projects that will benefit the street kids and those family who are financially challenged.

Secondly, serve as a mentor of students in your community. My role being a 21st century teacher, I need to be well – versed to the curriculum so that the skills I want my students to established will be used and ready for life-long learning experiences. Being a TVL teacher is challenging, you need to be skillful in your area of expertise – the main core of the K to 12 program is that, at the end of the SHS program, learners will become employable. The challenge – you are guiding them to become work – r eady.

Lastly, expand vocational training opportunities, including job placement programming, at local non-profit organizations. As TESDA assessor, I can use this to help my organization and in behalf of ACTNHS promote livelihood programs in the community. With this, it will sustain and create jobs for families in the community specially those who most need of support and help. I can also ask my fellow assessors in creating more livelihood trainings of different specialization so that there will be no monopoly of livelihood products.

As long as we have the heart and a mind considerate towards others and have a will to contribute to the world and others, and no matter how slight we think our power is, we will be able to achieve great things and do a good job. Ask not what our society can do for us, what is more important is that we ask what we can do for the society. Life is not a candle, it should be a big sacred torch held up by hands and your hands.

One must adopt moral values like truth, nonviolence, love, compassion, kindness, detachment, cooperation and true social service in life. Being an educator and rotaract calls for social service which means rising above self and helping others without expecting something any in return.

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The author is Teacher II at Angeles City National Trade School (Senior High School)