By Gilli Aquino

As you take your first steps into the unknown, a whirl of mixed emotions passes you by. Queries seep into your mind, and doubts break through the foundations you have so confidently built. However, with each warm greeting from a co-worker and every starry-eyed student that crosses your path — these qualms fade almost instantly. And slowly, with the ring of a bell, this unknown enigma transforms before your eyes into a place you can call home, the place where you belong.

The celebration for our dear teachers is an annual event in the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS). While our cheers may echo for the teachers who have seen us grow from start to finish, we also take the time to celebrate those who have just embarked on their journey. It requires courage to take that leap of faith to start anew — it is a courage every student is all too familiar with. So, as we honor each of our formators, our appreciation extends to warm welcomes for every new addition to the lively community of teachers and faculty. 

First Encounters 

“This immense support made me feel that I received a pat on the back to move forward and to be better.”

For many teachers new to the ASHS, the initial hesitations and awkwardness were instantly quelled with the warm community of teachers and faculty. Whether this be simple morning greetings or pieces of advice, each and every faculty member of the ASHS is always ready to lend a helping hand to those who have just begun their journey. 

“When I entered Ateneo for the first time as a teacher, I was deeply touched by how the faculty welcomed us because they treat us like an additional member of an ever-growing family.” Sir Angelico Tolentino, a Grade 12 chemistry teacher, recalls his first moments at the Ateneo, where he was instantly embraced by his fellow faculty members — highlighting to him the vibrant circle of people that will soon become his newfound family. For him, each piece of advice received has served as a stepping stone for him to become an even better formator for his students. 

For any unfamiliar venture, taking those first steps is always the most difficult part. However, with the support of those united in that same fueled passion and drive as you— the unknown does not seem so daunting anymore. For Ms. Sophia Monforte, a grade 12 teacher in the Philippine Politics and Governance subject, the ASHS community has truly helped her find her own space within the school. “The ASHS community has been such a blessing. My colleagues are kind, patient, and always willing to help. The students, too, are respectful and warm, making it easy to feel at home. Despite it being her first year, Ms. Monforte can quickly see the ASHS community becoming her new home. 

It would be an understatement to say that it is difficult to be a teacher — to not only guide students in their subjects but to mold them into our future leaders. It takes drive and dedication, but it is a journey not faced alone. Most especially at the Ateneo, where a colorful group of teachers will be there to welcome you home. 

A Noble Pursuit 

“Sabi nga ni Rizal, ‘[A]ng kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan,’ and I believe teachers are the ones who help shape that hope.” 

To be a teacher is to serve as a role model for bright-minded students — students who will soon become the leaders of our society. This pressure can often be nerve-wracking, especially to those who have just begun to pick up the chalk and mark their journey as a formator. However, what pushes against these nerves is an ignited passion to develop these students into the best that they can be.

“I’ve always believed that the best way to help our country is to educate the young, to open their eyes, not just to facts, but to the realities around them,” Ms. Monforte states, highlighting that the key to a better Philippine society starts with a youth that is aware, educated, and compassionate. She shared that as a teacher, she is able to guide students in becoming critical thinkers of society.  

Similar to this sentiment, Sir Tolentino describes his passion for teaching the sciences, with the hope that young minds will soon be inspired to pursue a career in this field. “In the Philippines, Science has difficulty reaching our people, mainly due to poor educational techniques in school and the lack of support from the government.” As a chemistry teacher, he describes the conventional learning style of memorization rather than understanding deeply as a factor that leads some students to give up on the pursuit of the sciences. 

Now, as a teacher at Ateneo, he aims to contribute to the improvement of science education in our country. In his own words: “I believe that using Filipino as a medium does not make the quality of Science education in our country substandard. Instead, it is a big leap forward for the development of Science, and embracing our identity as Filipinos.” Every lengthy lecture given and mindboggling assessment assigned is a hope that these discussions will spark a ripple effect among the students. 

While these teachers have just begun their stay at the ASHS, the impact they plan to leave on every student will continue to last for years to come.

Chalk-stained Marks

“I know how powerful a teacher’s influence can be, so I strive to use it to inspire kindness, understanding, a love for learning, and, of course, for the Philippines.”

It is difficult to define what it means to be a teacher, whether you have served as one for decades or are just beginning to understand what this vocation entails — a teacher holds more meaning than an educator of academics. 

Even after three years of teaching, Ms. Monforte still struggles to define what the role of a teacher means to her; in her own eyes, it is way beyond a mere title or name. “For me, it’s a calling to serve, to guide, and to grow alongside my students. I simply try to be true to myself— to teach with sincerity, patience, and purpose,”  she describes, as she aims to bring these values with her into the Ateneo. 

No matter how strenuous each new assignment may seem, beyond all its difficulty is a hope that we, students, will continue to grow not only academically — but also spiritually as better and brighter people. 

In line with this, Sir Tolentino hopes to impart a similar sentiment, emphasizing the importance of holistic well-being. “I want to impart to my students that the person’s well-being is paramount above everything else. We must be empathetic and extend mercy to those who are dealing with silent battles in life,” he expounds on his core values. In his eyes, as teachers, they must not be dictators of each student’s paths; rather, they possess the responsibility to bring out the best in them — providing each person with academic and moral support. 

While we welcome these new teachers into the Ateneo community, we simultaneously embrace the various lessons and values they aim to instill in us. Every new effort and act of reaching out to the student community is an endeavor to push us to greater heights. 

As we grow throughout our journeys within the ASHS, we must recognize our teachers who choose to not only nurture this growth but also actively continue to learn alongside us. For teachers such as them, their journey has only just begun — however, the mark they aim to leave slowly forms with each day they choose to show up.