AS GOOD AS A CLIMAX IT HAS BEEN

Plaque of Appreciation and Gratitude

Yesterday, March 25, was our high school graduation day. It was one of my best graduation ceremonies so far. For quite a time, parents have always been our problem during graduations. Whatever caution is thrown in the air for them not to keep on standing and getting in and out of the graduation hall, the just don't listen. Yesterday, however, was different. They were all behaved. Another thing that we accomplished with our graduation yesterday was the phasing of the entire program. It did not take us beyond couple of hours to finish everything. It was indeed a feat. Lastly and the most exciting was that I was awarded a plaque of appreciation and gratitude for my 10 years of efficient, unselfish and committed service to the school (as how the plaque reads).

It has been ten years already since I first taught in school. I was a substitute teacher then for Biology and Chemistry. My best friend who taught both subjects got married. When she returned, I got to teach Computer subjects and Technology and Livelihood Education. My principal later on discovered that I can speak and write in English quite well. The next year and until now, I teach senior English. I co-authored our English IV curriculum used in all our schools throughout the country. I am a Science major though, but I have always been asked to facilitate seminars for non-English subjects taught in English. I find this flattering, and I am just thankful that I read so much before and that I listened well to my Literature professors when I was in college.

Through a scholarship, I was able to finish my master's degree in educational leadership in one of the most prestigious teacher-training schools of the country. I became the youngest principal among the fourteen schools in the region, and one of the select few male principals. I have been a principal for three years now. I still have to accomplish so many things though before I can say that I am a good instructional leader. In fact, this year, is so frustrating for me that I have tendered my resignation last Feb. 23. It was disapproved but at least I made known to my employers that I have plans of not staying long with them. I just do not want to leave the school hurting others' feelings. Should they desire for me to serve them for yet another year, then so be it. Definitely, however, the students should be expecting a different me next academic year.

Despite everything that has happened, I still would like to believe that I deserved the award that I got. I may have been very angry this year, I may have hurt students even physically, and I may have neglected some of my duties, however, I still believed that the award was well-deserved. I would like to believe that before my ninth year in service, it was my most effective year as an instructional leader. I am only as effective as my bosses are. I am only as effective as my teachers are efficient. I am only as effective as my students are cooperative and know where they stand with regards to education as a whole. When any of these factors are out of sync and are not in harmony with how I feel and perceive things and how I really move with these people, I am as ineffective as they are.

I should have been out of school and out of work today if the school has accepted my resignation effective March 23. As the days unfold to weeks and then to months, I have slowly gotten back into focus. I still have the desire to rest from teaching next year; looking at the incoming seniors though has given me a lot of reasons to stay for another year. The plaque of appreciation and gratitude that I have is a mute witness of how much I have sacrificed for the school. My sacrifices may have gone unappreciated by my students, but that my employer has seen my selfless efforts and have me rewarded is a reason enough for me to serve the school but for one more year only as of now. I will really have to take things one year at a time.