Levi Jun Miscala: Teaching, inspiring, helping students

“Back then, I felt I needed to do something significant. It was about my own fulfillment. This time, it’s different. It’s not about me anymore,” Levi Jun Miscala, 23, a teacher fellow at “Teach for the Philippines,” said of his role in the school community which he has come to love.

He was sent to teach at Dela Paz Main Elementary School, one of the most populated public schools in Biñan City. While working there for two years now, he said he has fallen in love with the place and its people. “I started to care and empathize with them. I started to fight for what they care about. I started to love what they love.”

Though young, he has shown extraordinary initiative to teach even with limited materials.

As the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) teacher, and with only four working computers, he shows 40plus students how to use the gadget. “I had to think of innovative ways like using a fake keyboard made out of illustration board, an imaginative mouse called magic mouse, and using real objects and games to represent computer concepts,” he said. Outside the classroom, he leads a team to work with the community. He starts with simple goals –getting parents involved in their children’s studies, and encouraging student leaders to come up with projects to help address their community’s needs.

And just like public school teachers, Levi and his teammates are assigned to coach students participating in academic and extracurricular (sports and journalism) competitions. Recently, he worked with the Department of Education-Binan Division and the Biñan Culture, History, Arts, and Tourism Office (BCHATO) to organize the first arts festival in the city which gathered 272 students and 71 public school teachers.

“This program is personal because it’s my hope to see young artists being taught and honed by professionals,” he said.

It’s hard work, but Levi is inspired by his co-teachers. “I think my co-teachers deserve to be recognized as heroes. They have been working in the system for more than 25 years and I’m inspired to emulate their grit and perseverance in serving this nation.”

And what makes him go on with his job? His answer: “As Filipinos, I think it’s our primary job to serve this nation.”

I had to think of innovative ways like using a fake keyboard made out of illustration board, an imaginative mouse called magic mouse, and using real objects and games to represent computer concepts.