MANILA -- Even before overseas Filipino workers were called modern-day heroes, teachers nationwide were already hailed as such because of the nature of their job and the devotion it requires from them.
While many teachers bask in the glory of the title, Galcoso Alburo, veteran high school teacher before he became an education supervisor in Marikina City, still regards it as a big shoe to fill because he thinks not many teachers do exceptional things to better serve the Filipino students.
“Ano ang pamantayan para ituring na bayani ang isang tao? Sabihin na natin na may mga guro talaga na maituturing na nagpapaka-bayani pero hindi naman lahat ng guro ay ganoon, anong ang standards ng modern-day heroes, marami sa sistema namin lang pumasok lang at sumahod tapos na (What are the standards in order for a person to be called a hero? Let us say that there are teachers who display heroism but not all teachers are like that, what are the standards for modern-day heroes, many teachers in our system simply work and earn money nothing more)," Alburo told Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview.
Alburo has been regarded as one of the most inspiring teachers in the country by a number of award-giving foundations in the field. He was constantly recognized for saving more than 400 residents of Barangay Tumana from drowning when tropical storm Ondoy hit Marikina in 2009.
“Binaha ang area namin dahil may malalim na creek sa tabi noon, nagtatawid ako ng mga bata matatanda para hindi malunod sa baha, nang tumaas na ang tubig nagpatali ako ng lubid para ako makalangoy at makapagsalba ng mga tao (Our school then got flooder because the deep creek beside it overflowed, I saved children and adults from drowning, when the floodwaters went up I tied myself with a rope so I can easily swim and save more people),” he said.
Alburo brought the flood victims to their school – Concepcion Integrated School – where he provided them with food, water, and medicines until they were safe to back to their homes.
"Marami ang pumupuri sa nagawa ko at mga nagagawa ko pa sa larangan ng edukasyon ngunit hindi ko sila pinapansin, hindi ko ito ipinagmamalaki bilang pagpapakabayani (Many praise me for what I did and continue to do in the field of education but I don't mind their praises, I don't consider this as heroism)," he added.
Alburo taught Filipino and Journalism subjects to high school students for 15 years, even though teaching was not his first love.
He said he never wanted to be an educator but he was surprised that his actions proved otherwise when he started his teaching career.
"Ang isang challenge sa akin bilang guro ay alamin ang types of learners, bilang guro hindi ako pumapayag na hindi makapagsalita ang lahat para malalaman ko kung anong kulang sa isang estudyante kung saan siya nahihirapan tulad ng isang naging estudyante ko, highschool na pero di pa siya marunong bumasa (One challenge I faced as a teacher is knowing the different types of learners, I don't allow anyone unable to speak in my class so I will know what a student lacks which lesson is difficult for the student)," he said.
Saying that teachers have a big responsibility to help all students learn regardless of their age, incapacities, and economic status, Alburo encouraged all teachers to have a positive mindset and to focus on the end goal of teaching, even if they're confronted with many challenges.
"Walang maiiwan, lahat dapat matuto, para sa akin kapag may isang bata na di natuto ang may kasalanan ay si teacher padin. Noong pumasok ako sa pagtuturo hindi ko ito gustong-gusto pero sinabi ko na ayokong maging kalawang sa sistema (Nobody must be left behind, all must learn, for me if one student is unable to learn it is still the teacher's fault. I'm not very much into teaching but I don't want to be a rust destroying the system),” he added.
Alburo, who is an Education Program Supervisor of Department of Education in Marikina City, is now educating teachers and school heads on how to provide for the varying learning needs of students under their care and to be the best practitioners in their field.
He said it is harder to demand obedience from teachers and school heads as they are already learned, skilled and in the leadership compared to students.
He added that many teachers are often disheartened because they report a lot of problems in their respective schools.
"Ibinabahagi ko ang kwentong buhay ko sa pagtuturo para mahikayat sila, action speaks louder than words, dapat positive approach din, kung di man kayo na-appreciate sa school level think positive parin na merong Diyos na nakakakita sa mga nagawa ninyo (I share my life stories as a teacher so they'd be encouraged, action speaks louder than words, the approach should be positive also, if you're not appreciated in the school level still think positve because God sees everything you do)," he said.
Not discounting the hardships most teachers in the provinces face in holding their classes, Alburo urged educators to perform their jobs well – going the extra mile for the benefit of the learners.
"Hindi biro ang ginawang pagbubuwis ng buhay ng mga bayani noon para maituring silang bayani kaya ayusin natin ang pagtuturo para maituring tayong mga tunay na bayani ng makabagong panahon. Kung hindi ka para sa pagtuturo umalis ka na lang dahil may iba na puwedeng pumalit sa posisyon mo, kung mahal mo ang trabaho do your best (Our heroes before offered their lives to be regarded as heroes which is something serious so let's teach well so we'd be deserving to be called true heroes of the modern times. If you're not tailor-fit for teaching, just leave, because someone else can fill your position, if you love your job, do your best)," he said. (PNA)
