Ma. Precious Navejas Story
Byline: By Louis Joseph M. Candari, Feature Writer
Teacher's
Day Celebration Across the Globe
In every corner of the world, teachers shape
not only the minds but the futures of their students. They ignite curiosity,
nurture talents, and offer guidance that extends far beyond the classroom. On
this Teacher's Day, we take a moment to celebrate those who dedicate their
lives to educating and inspiring others, often going above and beyond to help
their students succeed. This day is more than a tribute; it's a reminder of the
profound influence that great teachers have in molding the next generation of
thinkers, leaders, and dreamers.
Philippines'
Celebration of Teacher's Day and Its Legal Basis
In the Philippines, Teacher's Day is
celebrated every October 5, aligning with World Teachers' Day, as declared by
UNESCO. The celebration is part of National Teachers' Month, which runs from
September 5 to October 5. The legal basis for this is Republic Act No. 10743,
enacted in 2016, which officially declares October 5 as National Teachers' Day.
This law emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the vital
role teachers play in shaping the nation's future by developing its youth.
Forum
Publication Features Inspiring and Motivating Teachers at NVC
With The Forum Publication, the official
publication of Northwestern Visayan Colleges, has this segment where they would
feature a faculty that will become one of the highlights of this year's
celebration of Teacher's Day. Create and edit layout for this chosen faculties
to make their day a little more special. Interview them and feature their story
and journey as a teacher of today's generation. A segment where teachers can
let their stories inspire and motivate students to become a better teacher someday.
The
Wine-Like Story of Ma'am Precious Navejas
Ma'am Ma. Precious D. Navejas, one of the
Faculty of College of Education, 35 years of age, and a graduate of
Northwestern Visayan Colleges with the program of Bachelor of Secondary
Education Major in Filipino, took up Masters of Arts in Teaching Filipino, and
a beautiful and empowered mother of her two beautiful children. Ma'am Navejas,
was at first hesitant to be featured for this Teacher's Day Celebration, with
the worry of people talking behind her back again, in her exact words,
"Ayokong maging high-profile muna, kasi, mas maganda yung buhay na, you're
not connected sa kahit na sino." ("I don't want to be high-profile for now
because it's better to live a life where you're not connected to anyone.") Despite the uncertainty she was feeling, she
accepted the invite to be featured for this Teacher's Day 2024 Issue of The
Forum Publication.
As the interview with her continue, she
revealed that teaching was never her choice of profession, but accepted the
challenge for she believes that is her calling from the Lord, to become a
teacher. In her words, "Nung una talaga, hindi ko talaga pinangarap na
maging teacher, kasi di ko nakikita yung sarili ko. Pero, I think, this is
really my calling, kasi nae-enjoy ko siya and very grateful ako na I am able to
make a significant impact sa buhay ng mga estudyante ko." ("At first, I really didn't dream of
becoming a teacher because I couldn't see myself in that role. But I think this
is really my calling because I enjoy it, and I'm very grateful that I can make
a significant impact in the lives of my students.")
But before Ma'am Navejas finally get the
chance to become a teacher, she experienced first great tribulations in her
life at an early age. Ma'am Navejas is the eldest among 5 children, but at the
age of 15, she was already separated from her family and lived with her
in-laws, got pregnant at an early age, and eventually become a mother. As what
she said earlier, she considers teaching as her calling from the Lord, because
according to her, if ever she would have a conversation with Him, it would be
His condition for her. Ma'am Navejas wanted to get back on track of life, and
continue her education, and she felt that taking up education is God's
condition for her. She believes that God put her in the shoes of being a
teacher because her story needs to inspire and motivate other people.
Teaching
as a Two-Way Process
As she was navigating the field of education,
at first, she was blazing with enthusiasm and burning desire to teach. When she
starting, she tends to take things very seriously and she tends to be a
perfectionist, but just like she said, "Kapag masyado ka nang maraming
bunga, marami nang babato sayo." ("When
you have too many fruits, many will throw stones at you.") That is the
reason why she chose to keep a low-profile and finally decides to choose her
own happiness, security, and peace of mind. As she continues to teach student
after student, there are many realizations and learnings that she had along the
way. In one of her statements, she said, "Siguro nga destined din talaga
akong maging teacher, para kasing hindi ako nahihirapan. Every time na magtuturo
ako, I always make sure na lahat ng tinuturo ko, integrated sa real-life
situations. Pagkatapos kong ituro yung context, bigla ko siyang ipapasok sa
real-life situation. I always make sure that I am teaching from the heart, and
that for me is my strength and it makes my job more easier." ("Maybe I really am destined to be a teacher, because it
doesn’t feel difficult for me. Every time I teach, I always make sure that
everything I teach is integrated into real-life situations. After I explain the
context, I immediately connect it to real-life examples. I always ensure that
I'm teaching from the heart, and for me, that’s my strength and it makes my job
easier.") She also realizes that learning doesn't always from the
teacher but also from your students. Those learnings that she got from her
students helped her to become much better teacher and especially, a better
mother to her children. Even though she has limited time to serve as a
mother-figure, she always does her best to instill knowledge to her children
and guide them in all ways possible.
Teaching
Profession as a Coping Mechanism
As she continues to navigate her life journey
as a teacher, she also realizes that, teaching helps her to make her forget all
the bad situations that's she has in her life, even just for a while. Her
students telling her how much she inspired them, are one of the reasons why she
needs to be stronger, energetic, inspiring, and motivated. Teaching has helped
her cope up with situations and challenges life has reserved for her. It
enables her to be resilient and stronger, for herself, for her kids, and for
the people around her.
Advices
for Future Educators b
In 10 years of service, she is very happy
that many students of today's generation pick education to be their program in
college. It inspires her to guide more students and to prepare them for what
lies ahead. Despite these positive things, challenges always seem to crept in,
but she always reminds herself this, "I love this job, and I cannot afford
to lose this job." Her saying this is a testament of her passion and love
for teaching. As she looked back to her journey of becoming a teacher, there is
something that she wants to say her younger self and that is, "Sana
minahal ko pa ang mga magulang ko at sinunod ko ang papa ko." ("I wish I had loved my parents more
and followed my dad.") And when asked if what would she foresee
herself 10 years from now, this is what she has to say, "10 years from
now, 45 na ako, and gusto ko pagdating ko doon, I'm happy, I'm at peace, I'm
secured." ("Ten years from now,
I'll be 45, and I want to be happy, at peace, and secure when I get
there.") When she was asked to give some advice to the new generation
of future educators, this is also what she has to say, "Every day, you
have to work on yourself to be the best." But with these words comes also
with a reminder of the heavy responsibilities of becoming a teacher. She
reiterated that society has so much expectations from teachers, and teachers
should always be nearly perfect. There are so many things that you cannot do
freely if you become a teacher, that is why she said, "If you are not
ready to carry those responsibilities that will be placed upon your shoulders
someday, and if you're not ready to face that reality yet, teaching is not for
you." This message from her is not meant to discourage them but to open
their eyes for the reality that they would be facing.
Conclusion:
Teaching as the Noblest Job
As for her, she hopes to be remembered as the teacher who teaches from her heart, because she believes that it is great asset for her to be remembered by her students as years passes by. In conclusion, when she was asked if she can describe her teaching journey and her life as a whole in one sentence, this is what she has to say, "I would say, 'aged like a fine wine', kasi diba ang wine habang tumatagal, nagiging quality and maraming pinagdadaanan bago maabot yon, and that's my life now, I've experienced so much, I've gone through processes, and I'm slowly but surely aiming for a quality lifestyle and a high-quality kind of individual." ("I would say, 'aged like a fine wine,' because wine becomes better with time and goes through a lot before reaching that quality. That’s my life now—I’ve experienced so much, gone through many processes, and I'm slowly but surely aiming for a quality lifestyle and becoming a high-quality individual.") It is true that teaching is noblest job. Many can choose to become a teacher, but it is a challenge for many to become a better one. Let's celebrate them, not just today, but every day, for they are the ones guiding us and honing us to become better versions of ourselves.
Layout by: Cedrick V. Cusay, EIC
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