"We are happy to have you in our home, the home of the talented and the gifted."
It was so overwhelming to hear those words from Mrs. Rosario A. Noneza, the principal of Nabunturan Central Elementary School SPED Center as they welcomed us to their institution. Two weeks ago we were sent off to our work immersion. It was the start of a new experience, new lessons, and new reports and work.
At first, it was like a just-for-compliance task for me. As long as we can do our tasks, finish our required papers and reports, then we're done. But when we experienced the reality of a teacher's work, I realized that there is so much more in going to school, facing the children and teaching the learners.
On the last day of our work immersion, I became so busy with all my papers. When I told my supervisor and when the kids found out that my work immersion is already done, they were surprised of my sudden completion. The students wanted me to stay longer and told me to visit them. They became so clingy, giving me hugs and goodbyes.
Eighty hours just went by so fast, but the lessons that we learned will remain in our hearts forever. Our experiences, may it be good or bad, with the children are remarkable and genuine. They may be unbearable sometimes but they are all special in their own way, if given the right time and discipline. It would not be too surprising to find their faces as they take their own path and venture for their own future, years from now.
