MANILA, Philippines – As new teachers took their oath on Sunday, one passer had a very inspiring story to tell, especially to those persons with disabilities.
Kevin Gamboa was only two-and-a-half years old when doctors told his parents that he couldn't hear.
His mother, Luisa, took Kevin to a neurologist who confirmed that her son had severe to profound hearing loss. The mom felt disheartened but was determined to give his son the best education they could offer.
With Kevin's special needs and three other sons, Luisa decided to work in Australia to make their ends meet.
As luck would have it, Luisa was able to find a scholarship grant and secure financial assistance from private individuals in New Zealand to fund Kevin's schooling.
Kevin was sent to Granada Education Foundation, a private school for the deaf in Manila. After his special school, Kevin was sent to Hebron Christian College in San Rafael, Bulacan to complete his entire elementary and high school education.
In 2015, Kevin finished his degree in Elementary Education at the Deaf Evangelistic Alliance, Inc. School in Cavinti, Laguna. That same year, Kevin took the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) but unfortunately, he failed.
It wasn't his last taste of failure because he failed the LET again five times.
Kevin took the LET last March 2019 and finally his stars aligned and passed. At 25 years old, Kevin is the only deaf candidate who passed the LET this year.
Luisa couldn't contain their family's happiness upon hearing the good news. She recalled how determined Kevin was to achieve his dream of being a teacher, "Hindi siya talaga gumive up. Pinipilit ko na siyang magtrabaho, pero ayaw niya. Nag-push talaga siya."
Kevin shared how hard he reviewed for the exams. He said, "Talagang nag-research ako sa mga subject na aking ni-review. Kulang ako ng kaalaman, kaya nag-research ako...Naranasan kong mabagsak, mag-fail, so ipinagpatuloy ko lang."
The new teacher said his family was his inspiration to strive hard.
Kevin also hopes he may serve as an inspiration to other persons with disabilities to continue working hard for their dreams.
He said, "Sa mga deaf kong katulad, hinahamon ko kayo, huwag kayong susuko, huwag hihinto. Work hard lang and never stop dreaming."
"May paraan ang Diyos at makakamit mo talaga ang pangarap mo kapag nagpursige ka," he added.
Kevin looks forward to becoming a public school Special Education teacher.
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Kevin Gamboa is the only deaf candidate who passed in the March 2019 LET | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Kevin Gamboa |
Kevin Gamboa was only two-and-a-half years old when doctors told his parents that he couldn't hear.
His mother, Luisa, took Kevin to a neurologist who confirmed that her son had severe to profound hearing loss. The mom felt disheartened but was determined to give his son the best education they could offer.
With Kevin's special needs and three other sons, Luisa decided to work in Australia to make their ends meet.
As luck would have it, Luisa was able to find a scholarship grant and secure financial assistance from private individuals in New Zealand to fund Kevin's schooling.
Kevin was sent to Granada Education Foundation, a private school for the deaf in Manila. After his special school, Kevin was sent to Hebron Christian College in San Rafael, Bulacan to complete his entire elementary and high school education.
In 2015, Kevin finished his degree in Elementary Education at the Deaf Evangelistic Alliance, Inc. School in Cavinti, Laguna. That same year, Kevin took the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET) but unfortunately, he failed.
It wasn't his last taste of failure because he failed the LET again five times.
Kevin took the LET last March 2019 and finally his stars aligned and passed. At 25 years old, Kevin is the only deaf candidate who passed the LET this year.
Luisa couldn't contain their family's happiness upon hearing the good news. She recalled how determined Kevin was to achieve his dream of being a teacher, "Hindi siya talaga gumive up. Pinipilit ko na siyang magtrabaho, pero ayaw niya. Nag-push talaga siya."
Kevin shared how hard he reviewed for the exams. He said, "Talagang nag-research ako sa mga subject na aking ni-review. Kulang ako ng kaalaman, kaya nag-research ako...Naranasan kong mabagsak, mag-fail, so ipinagpatuloy ko lang."
The new teacher said his family was his inspiration to strive hard.
Kevin also hopes he may serve as an inspiration to other persons with disabilities to continue working hard for their dreams.
He said, "Sa mga deaf kong katulad, hinahamon ko kayo, huwag kayong susuko, huwag hihinto. Work hard lang and never stop dreaming."
"May paraan ang Diyos at makakamit mo talaga ang pangarap mo kapag nagpursige ka," he added.
Kevin looks forward to becoming a public school Special Education teacher.
— Sally, The Summit Express
