Surmounting Struggles: Honoring the Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic

School Year 2020-2021 has been a challenging year for everyone of us,

especially here in the province of Catanduanes. Because of the threat of the pandemic,

the whole Luzon has been put under enhanced community quarantine on March, 2020.

This new normal has resulted in a paradigm shift on our life. Like most people, our

teachers have also been greatly affected by the pandemic but this challenge did not

hinder our unsung heroes in doing what they do best—raising the bar of education.

The primary challenge faced by our teachers in the new normal in education is

the shift from face to face to distance learning. Since we only have a limited access to

the internet, and most students do not have gadgets to be used in online classes, most

schools in the province opted to have modular printed instruction. Preparing lessons

during this pandemic has been way more challenging for our teachers than before since

the concern is not just limited to creating learning materials but making sure that the

learning will be delivered and transferred to the learners. Not to mention that not all

teachers can afford the expenses of printing modules for their students.

Because of this, our education frontliners started tapping stakeholders for

support and their response has been overwhelming. Despite the pandemic, a lot of

people were able to share their resources to ensure that schools could provide quality

education in line with the learning continuity plan. Alumni have donated printer units;

private individuals have given reams and boxes of bond papers; the local government

has also pledged their support and of course, even teachers shared an amount to

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purchase printing materials as well as face masks and disinfectants in preparation of the

school opening.

As the classes opened in October 2020, teachers kept on doubling, even giving

four times their efforts to give the learners the quality education they deserve. And as

the new normal in education continues, more challenges come on the way of our

educators. Keeping a whole class attentive has always been a challenge for teachers,

particularly at a face-to-face class, but the new normal has given it a whole new

dimension. Students answer their modules at home so teachers cannot really see if the

learners are able to grasp the lessons.

In order to address this, our educators started using the available technology to

keep up with their students. They have pushed boundaries and explored new ways just

to continue providing quality education. Teachers started using cellphones and even

written letters just to reach their students and keep them updated on the latest trend in

education. Teachers also do their best to monitor their students especially those who

struggle in their studies and give provide intervention to make sure that they can keep

up with the lessons.

Meanwhile, towards the end of 2020, our island province was hardly hit by

typhoons, one after another. First was Pepito, then came Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tonyo,

and finally Ulysses. These typhoons eft unimaginable destruction on the island in a

span of just 25 days, roughly a month. Not just buildings, houses, and properties were

destroyed, it also affected the agriculture, economy, and the education of thousands of

learners in Catanduanes.

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 Typhoons were always troublemakers in the island and our school was not

spared from the wrath of these typhoons. Because it stands near the beach, the

buildings were destroyed by the raging tides and brutal winds causing the school to be

almost unrecognizable. When all the destruction passed, the electricity line cut off, and

modular learning had to be postponed for almost a month. And while people were busy

rebuilding their houses and fixing the damage the typhoon left, our teachers were also

busy salvaging what was left in schools. They started drying the books and modules

and cleaning the surroundings.

The pandemic, as well as the effects of the typhoons has left a lot of people,

especially the learners with fear and anxiety. In order to appease their minds, teachers

have conducted psychological first aid to students and parents. They were able to hear

stories of how the typhoon affected the lives of people—how their lives were devastated

and how they started to build their lives once more. To help ease their pain, teachers,

despite being typhoon victims, shared some blessings to them through the effort of the

Teachers and Employees Association as well as other benefactors. It was heartwarming

to know that despite what happened to them, the teachers, as well as the learners and

their parents still believe in the importance of education. Their affirmations have been

an inspiration to continue providing service to the learners.

It is undeniable that the role of our teachers in shaping the young

Catandunganon minds is truly a sacrifice and an act of love for it takes time, attention,

and patience. Indeed, no virus or typhoon can withhold our education frontliners from

fulfilling their mission—to provide quality education and produce learners who would

lead us to a better future.