Some of my best Teachers (1/3)

I was watching this video about how teachers matter so much in the development of children and it made me think back to my “younger years” as a student in the Ateneo. I tried to think of who were the teachers that made such an impact on me that I couldn’t forget their names and faces. Out of all the teachers that I had only three names really popped out and stuck with me. What’s interesting is that I didn’t remember them because of how good they were in teaching inside the classroom. I remembered them because of the things they thought me outside of it. I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity to do this so I’d like to dedicate the following entries to these three excellent educators who have touched my life and made me a better person. This is a 3-part series. One entry per teacher.

Teachers should care video

Tale of the Rubber Shoes
Mrs. Castaneda (Moderator, Grade 3/4 Elementary, Ateneo)
I honestly can’t say if she was my grade 2, grade 3, or grade 4 teacher. However she taught we one valuable life lesson: CONFRONT YOUR RUBBER SHOES. I was really lousy with tying my shoe laces. I never learned how to do it and no matter how hard my parents and older brother tried to teach me at home it never worked. That’s why each time my laces would become undone during PE I’d just take ‘em out of the shoe, haha.

One time when we were playing “Agawan Base”, I tripped because of my untied shoe laces. I was obviously embarrassed as most of my classmates made fun of me for the fall. I tried to laugh it off with them but I was hurting inside (lol). I swore to myself then that I would NEVER wear rubber shoes ever again.

After the last class for the day, Mrs. Castaneda called me and asked me if I was okay. I said yes and then she asked me why I threw my rubber shoes away after PE (I actually put them in the trash can hehe). I explained what happened and then she said something that I can still remember to this very day. She said that I need to confront my rubber shoes because if I don’t then I will probably run away from my problems when I grew up (lalim!). She pulled them out of the trash can and gave it back to me. She then spent almost the next hour patiently teaching me how to tie my shoe laces.

I found out later on that she was actually watching everything (from the time I tripped, when I threw the rubber shoes, when I tried tying my shoe laces, etc). I’d like to think that the lesson she taught me that day built my confidence, resilience, and never-say-die attitude. It’s amazing how much a teacher can change and affect the lives of others. Thank you Mrs. Castaneda!