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| Photo Courtesy || Angeline Marcelle Pawid |
Cordillera - In the annals of teaching, there are moments that leave an indelible mark on the hearts of educators. For one teacher, that moment came during the examinations when she witnessed an incident that touched her deeply and forever changed her perspective on education and the resilience of the human spirit.
Mrs. Angeline Marcelle Pawid, an experienced and dedicated teacher in Cordillera, was going about her usual business, preparing her class records during the examination period. Little did she know that her life was about to intersect with that of a determined and courageous student. As she glanced up from her work, she saw a young boy desperately trying to negotiate with the school treasurer to allow him to take the exams despite his inability to pay the miscellaneous fees.
The treasurer explained that school policy required all students to clear their obligations before sitting for the final exams. It was a rule that aimed to foster a sense of responsibility and accountability among the students. But as the student, with tears in his eyes, returned home to fetch his "piggy bank," Mrs. Pawid couldn't help but feel the weight of injustice and the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots in society.
Unable to contain her emotions, Mrs. Pawid stepped outside the faculty to regain her composure. As she reflected on the incident, her heart swelled with admiration for the young boy's determination to pursue his education despite facing financial hardships. It was at that moment she resolved to make a difference in his life.
"I went out the faculty to avoid that incident but I was out crying saying to myself, why are there kids who have the money, yet they didn't like to go to school and here comes a student abandoned by his father and still trying to finish his studies," Mrs. Pawid wrote.
She approached the student and offered to shoulder his miscellaneous fees, ensuring that he could take the exams and continue his education. This simple act of kindness would be the turning point in the young boy's life and would sow the seeds for a remarkable journey of success and perseverance.
True to her belief in him, the student, whose name we withhold for privacy, blossomed academically. In his fourth year of high school, he demonstrated extraordinary talent and dedication, topping the National Achievement Test (NAT) examinations and emerging victorious in various academic competitions.
With Mrs. Pawid's unwavering support, he also secured a scholarship for college, setting his sights on becoming a doctor. The Campus Bayani award recognized his outstanding achievements, opening even more doors to a brighter future. Today, that once financially challenged student is pursuing his dreams in college with a full scholarship, all thanks to the compassionate teacher who saw his potential.
Mrs. Pawid's story doesn't end with this one student; she has touched the lives of countless others throughout her teaching career. As she reflects on her journey, she humbly acknowledges the difference she has made in shaping the lives of her students.
"I know, I have helped a lot of students go there way, and now I say, I am a fulfilled teacher, Mrs. Pawid said. Thanks to my students who never forget me as their teacher," she added.
In a world where education is often taken for granted, this heartwarming tale reminds us of the power of empathy, compassion, and the impact a single act of kindness can have on a young life. Mrs. Pawid's dedication and the young student's perseverance are a shining example of the transformative power of education and the importance of supporting every child's dreams.
As for that ambitious young boy, his future is bright, and he is now a doctor—a testament to the potential that lies within each student when nurtured with love and encouragement. Together, they have proven that no obstacle is insurmountable when hearts unite to create a brighter and more promising tomorrow.
