THREE DECADES AND FIVE: SERVING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

EMMA DIAMSE FUERTEZ

It all started with a simple dream and aspirations, a young lass striving to inspire and educate young minds in the future. The young lass overcame a lot of struggles since childhood into present time, but these struggles serve as a driving force to the young lass to be a better person and inspiration to the young learners. Lassie started her primary education at Magalang Elementary School, her High School days were spent in Angeles City High School and her College years were dwelled in Republic Central Colleges taking the Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in accounting then after 4 years she took another course Bachelor of Elementary Education. While she was studying she is also a working student since her High School Years. She continued her Masteral Degree in Education at Pampanga Agricultural College and graduated in the Year 1992. In the preceding years she continued her Doctorate Degree in Educational Management accumulating 15 units, in life unexpected events comes in our way and need to attend other commitments and priorities that’s why she wasn’t able to finish her Doctorate Degree. At the age of 23, she started to serve and work in the Department of Education, year 1990 as a Clerk in Division of Angeles City and shifted to the noblest profession of all in the year 1994 at the San Vicente Elementary School, Magalang, Pampanga serving from 1994 to 2000. In the year 2000 to 2001 she transferred to other school, Buensuceso Elementary School, Arayat, Pampanga. In the year 2001 to 2016 she transferred another school at Plazang Luma Elementary School, Arayat, Pampanga. In the year 2016 to 2018 she dwelled into the Administrative Position taking the role of School Head at Telapayong Elementary School, school heads really explore their field too become a better leader that’s why in the Year 2018 to 2022 she came back at Plazang Luma Elementary School as their new School Head meeting her colleagues once again. September 2022 up to present she serve as a School Head at Mesulo Elementary School, improving the school facilities, helping, inspiring and assisting teachers to work in a stress-free environment so that they can teach their students at their best. The young lass is now an embodiment of strong, compassionate, resilient and respected School Head in the Department of Education and indeed a great inspiration from her children. Being in the Education sector and a government employee for almost Thirty-Five (35) years is not a joke, yet it is truly amazing how God really blessed the heart of a true and compassionate leader. Keeping up with the trends in an ever-changing world were in every traditional material used were turned into digital era is not an easy adjustment for Generation X who lives in a simple world without smartphones, computers, tablets and 3D televisions. “Experience is the best teacher” that’s our young lass driving motivational words of wisdom to keep going in life. There may be cloudy days in your workplace but after the stormy rainy days, the rainbow will always show up and the flowers will bloom at the right time and right place. May this story of young lass be an inspiration who read this. Happy 35 Years Anniversary in the Department of Education and praying for a continuous blessing to serve in this institution.

-oOoThe author is Head Teacher III at Mesulo Elementary School