Everyday heroes in education

Whenever I ask the younger students what they want to be when they grow up, most of them eagerly start sharing three to four things they’d like to pursue. One profession always seems to be part of their shortlist: to become a teacher someday. This is no surprise, of course. Children spend a big chunk of their days with teachers, experiencing firsthand their hard work and dedication— from guiding them through learning discoveries to helping them open their snacks. In the eyes of these kids, teachers are nothing short of everyday heroes.

Research has consistently found that teachers are the most critical school-related factor influencing student achievement (estimated to be two to three times greater than that of school facilities and leadership). Since teachers have a deeper understanding of their students’ strengths and needs, empowering teachers to implement interventions can lead to more tailored support in ways that rigid standards and state-imposed prescriptions cannot.

Since 1985, the Metrobank Foundation’s Outstanding Filipino Teachers Award has recognized educators who have not only demonstrated excellence and integrity in their profession but also contributed innovative solutions to various challenges they have seen on the ground. I interviewed this year’s winners via email to learn more about their extraordinary work.

Ma. Ella Fabella of Maasin Learning Center in Zamboanga City is a passionate advocate for Indigenous People’s Education and has worked tirelessly to foster pride in the Sama-Bajau heritage. She launched “Project B.E.A.R. (Bajau Educational Activities and Recreation)” to support Sama-Bajau children and created a parent-led tutorial program to extend learning beyond the classroom.

Fabella’s drive to make a difference stems from her experience as an IP from the Subanen tribe. She believes education will give her Bajau students “the same opportunity to have a better life as I did.” Her next goal is to share her best practices with more teachers so that similar initiatives can be implemented for other IP children and their communities.

Franco Rino Apoyon of Kabasalan National High School has devoted more than a decade of his life to “greenducation” and other environment sustainability initiatives in the Zamboanga Peninsula, including facilitating the Youth for Environment in Schools-Organization co-curricular club.

Apoyon recalled facing many rejections because he needed more credibility to carry out his plans. Rather than let it faze him, Apoyon used it as inspiration to persevere even harder. The biology teacher now has a successful 11-year track record of mobilizing students and community members to take part in conservation projects. His Reach-to-Teach program has helped raise environmental awareness in remote areas, training at least 200 children to be active environmental stewards.

Geologist and University of the Philippines Los Baños professor Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava has made significant contributions to climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and improving risk-reducing behavior. Due to the country’s lack of facilities to support geophysical investigations, she creatively networks with local and international institutions while actively working to secure the buy-in of government agencies. Her extensive research has translated into evidence-based responses, including national warning systems, decision-making guides, and policy recommendations.

When asked about her advice to educators who are struggling to sustain their passion for the profession, Faustino-Eslava encouraged her fellow teachers to find joy in small victories, “Find what makes you happy, find people who are happy to do the same things, work with them happily, rest with them when you all get tired, and start working again when you have rested.”

Ateneo De Manila University professor and licensed psychologist Dr. Maria Regina Hechanova-Alampay has dedicated her career to making mental health programs more accessible, especially to underserved areas. Given the lack of mental health specialists to address the needs of Filipino students, Hechanova-Alampay is focused on creating more scalable solutions that can be easily implemented in educational institutions. She also aims to enhance how psychology students are trained so they are more prepared to provide basic mental health services in schools.

Whenever she encounters a roadblock, Hechanova-Alampay tries to remind herself who she is doing this for. “It might be that teacher who lost his father during Haiyan and was carrying so much guilt because he had to let go of his father’s hand to save his daughter. When he went through our program, he realized his father’s death was not his fault, and he walked out feeling lighter. Thinking of people like him gives me the strength to continue to do the work we do.”

Their work showcases the power of educators to uplift entire communities. May their stories spark a renewed passion in others to pursue teaching with the same love for learning and their students.

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eleanor@shetalksasia.com