MANILA, Philippines – It's true that a teacher has the power to promote change in her community. An Agta-Dumagat teacher wishes to inspire her students to dream big and use education as a tool to change their lives.
Teacher Mary Ann Donato inspires her community in Palan, Isabela. She is currently a teacher at Dibungko Primary School, considered by the Department of Education (DepEd) as a "Last Mile School."
A "Last Mile School" is a school located in far-flung areas, usually with less funding for more classrooms and repairs. Most of the time, they use makeshift classrooms and cater to indigenous students.
This experience inspired Teacher Mary Ann to work hard to become a teacher. She wished to serve as an example to her fellow indigenous people, showing that they, too, have the opportunity to complete their education. She wanted them to show that they could change their lives for the better.
Teacher Mary Ann said, “Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon dapat mahirap lang kami. Nagpursige kaming magtapos sa college para maiahon ang buhay sa kahirapan."
"Kaya sa mga estudyante ko na kahit makukulit, mag-aral lang ng mabuti at makakamit niyo rin ang pangarap niyo," she added.
During the pandemic, Teacher Mary Ann and her fellow teachers struggled with the transition. They were among those included in the pilot testing of Modular Distance Learning (MDL). Their modules and learning materials were made suitable for their Agta-Dumagat students and community.
Teacher Mary Ann took the time to go house-to-house to teach her students the localized Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) during the pandemic. According to Teacher Mary Ann, she would go the extra mile to ensure her students finished their education.
“Gustong-gusto ko na sila ay makapagtapos at makamit nila ang mga pangarap nila upang sa gayun po ay marami pa silang matutulungan na katulad nilang katutubo,” she said.
Truly, Teacher Mary Ann is an inspiration not just to her community but for everyone who wishes to defy their odds and achieve their dreams.
— Sally, The Summit Express
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| Teacher Mary Ann Donato wishes her students to finish their education and achieve their dreams | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ PIA 2 |
Teacher Mary Ann Donato inspires her community in Palan, Isabela. She is currently a teacher at Dibungko Primary School, considered by the Department of Education (DepEd) as a "Last Mile School."
A "Last Mile School" is a school located in far-flung areas, usually with less funding for more classrooms and repairs. Most of the time, they use makeshift classrooms and cater to indigenous students.
This experience inspired Teacher Mary Ann to work hard to become a teacher. She wished to serve as an example to her fellow indigenous people, showing that they, too, have the opportunity to complete their education. She wanted them to show that they could change their lives for the better.
Teacher Mary Ann said, “Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon dapat mahirap lang kami. Nagpursige kaming magtapos sa college para maiahon ang buhay sa kahirapan."
"Kaya sa mga estudyante ko na kahit makukulit, mag-aral lang ng mabuti at makakamit niyo rin ang pangarap niyo," she added.
During the pandemic, Teacher Mary Ann and her fellow teachers struggled with the transition. They were among those included in the pilot testing of Modular Distance Learning (MDL). Their modules and learning materials were made suitable for their Agta-Dumagat students and community.
Teacher Mary Ann took the time to go house-to-house to teach her students the localized Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) during the pandemic. According to Teacher Mary Ann, she would go the extra mile to ensure her students finished their education.
“Gustong-gusto ko na sila ay makapagtapos at makamit nila ang mga pangarap nila upang sa gayun po ay marami pa silang matutulungan na katulad nilang katutubo,” she said.
Truly, Teacher Mary Ann is an inspiration not just to her community but for everyone who wishes to defy their odds and achieve their dreams.
— Sally, The Summit Express
