Sydney J. Harris quoted that the whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows in which Mary Anne Waldrop Panes, a senior high school teacher and A Project Lawin Scholar, learned. She opens herself to the world and finds what she possesses.
Before Mary Anne became a senior high teacher, she was part of the Human Resources in a well-known supermarket. Her career as an HR was a mere choice of being a breadwinner, and for 20 years, she worked as an HR for manufacturing companies to sales and merchandise until she got married and had two children.
Having children opted her to stop working to look after them however staying home for a year made her feel stagnant. She felt empty. Fortunately, a school in their area was looking for senior high school teachers. Despite not knowing anyone from DepEd, she pushed her luck, and luckily, she got hired.
However, being a teacher was so new to her that she’s a graduate of AB Psychology. She taught subjects that were not in her forte, but she needed to adjust for the school and her students until she saw the needs of the students for a counselor and a guidance program.
“I’ve seen students with special needs, but they are in a public school since I’m a graduate of psychology in a sense, I can relate to their needs. I tried bridging their needs and talk to the school and my fellow teachers to adjust their teaching styles. Over that, I felt I needed to go back to studying and think of taking up a master’s in guidance and counseling,” said Mary Anne.
At first, her fellow teachers and their principal did not support her decision to pursue her master’s degree because she would no longer align with the school. Also, if she pursues it, she has to leave her teaching profession. Therefore, she thought it over.
While pondering over it, a pandemic happened, and she stumbled upon a Facebook post about Project Lawin that offers a scholarship for a Master’s Degree.
According to Mary Anne, “During the time of the pandemic, there was a post sa FB page na they are offering a scholarship for Master of Arts in Counseling. It’s been on my mind ever since. Then, on the last day, I submitted, and I’m sure that I won’t have the Project Lawin Scholarship. It was some time in September that they interviewed me, and after a week or two, they informed me that they considered me for the scholarship which brought me to NTC.”
The National Teachers College expanded her knowledge about being a teacher, and she gained further understanding of her purpose. She regained her desire to learn, especially when she found out about the LinkedIn Learn integrated into the curriculum where she acquired certificates and helped her with her research.
“My journey in NTC with my MA, sabi ko nga sa with my benefactors, kay Miss Ina Ayala; it is an addicting experience. I feel that I can no longer stop learning when NTC introduced LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn Learning is useful sa learning task namin sa research. It’s very insightful,” recalled Mary Anne.
Moreover, Mary Anne conquered her fear while in NTC. She thought that she would not have a chance because of her age and disability. These reasons caused her fear that she can cope with the lessons. NTC’s distance and flexible learning also gave her the confidence and peace of mind that she did not have to leave her children.
“NTC gave me so many opportunities. It helped me conquer my fear at my age and limitations. It also helped me realize that I can be of service, and I want to be after a year of teaching in public school. I want to give back to the students what they need,” said Mary Anne.
Thus, NTC and its Project Lawin Scholarship gave her a chance to be a better version of herself and realized things she possesses. NTC recreates her from being a simple senior high school teacher to an equipped, empowered, and competent teacher.
Being part of the NTC Graduate School also taught her that pursuing your graduate studies will expand what you already know. It will also enhance your skills as you develop yourself.
Mary Anne said, “NTC makes me aware that being a teacher is not simply focusing on the children’s intellectual but also on their affective side.”
Aside from that, NTC transforms her fears and insecurities into audacity. She has the confidence now to be the voice of her students and opens herself to the world as she shares what she possesses.
NTC, a premier institution under a Yuchengco-Ayala educational partnership, ensures that Filipinos will have access to quality education at a reasonable cost.
NTC Partnered with experts in remote learning to ensure the effective delivery of its remote learning. These include: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)-JWEL who works with member organizations to promote excellence and transformation in education to address global opportunities for scalable change in education; Mapua University, one of the pioneers in distance learning, has been continuously improving learning connectivity online even before ECQ; Derrick Latrielle ran learning and development operations for blue-chip technology, telecommunications, and BPO companies operating around the world, especially in South America and Southeast Asia; and, Dr. Edizon Fermin is a member of CHED’s Technical Working Group on Remote Learning.
NTC’s learning continuity plan is clear: stay safe at home and learn meaningfully with assistance from our responsive remote staff, either through calls, texts, social media messages, or emails. The world may have changed drastically, but NTC’s commitment to providing accessible and quality education remains steadfast.
Click HERE to learn more about NTC’s Graduate School of Teacher Education or visit https://ntc.edu.ph/graduate-school-of-teacher-education/
Visit this link to know more about admission information: https://ntc.edu.ph/admission-info/
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