Our Return on Investment: Sabsy Ongkiko at TEDxADMU

Summary

The speaker reflects on the challenges and joys of being a public school teacher, highlighting the value of education and the resilience of students despite hardships. They share personal experiences of teaching in the Philippines' public schools, emphasizing their belief in the potential of students, even when others doubt them. The speaker encourages students to persevere, reminding them that learning is a joyful process. They also recount the transformative moments in their classroom, and the hope for a future where public schools are as strong as private institutions.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker, a public school teacher, created a message for their students, encouraging them to keep learning and striving, despite difficulties.
• 🌟 The teacher believes in the students' potential and emphasizes that they can achieve great things, like becoming doctors, engineers, or even heroes, with effort and perseverance.
• 👩‍🏫 Despite criticism for choosing to teach in a public school, the speaker values the role of public school teachers and their impact on students' lives.
• 🏫 Public schools are often viewed negatively, but the speaker emphasizes their importance as a source of hope for students and their future.
• 🧑‍🎓 The speaker shares inspiring stories about their students, highlighting the joy of learning and the mutual growth between teacher and students.
• 💪 The teacher stresses the importance of believing in students' abilities, reinforcing their confidence and helping them aim for success.
• 👥 The speaker and their colleagues formed a support group called 'Kapit Guro' to help passionate teachers stay motivated and continue improving classrooms.
• 🎓 One student, Darwin, went from public school to being an honor student at Ateneo High School, representing the potential of public school students.
• 💡 The teacher advocates for seeing students as capable, which leads to positive outcomes, such as a class collectively achieving high scores on a quiz.
• 🇵🇭 The speaker believes teaching in public schools helps teachers understand the broader realities of the country and contribute to the future of the Philippines.

Q & A

What was the speaker preparing for, and why did they ask to present in Filipino?

The speaker was preparing for a TEDx talk and requested to present in Filipino because they wanted their students to eventually hear the message and understand it better in their native language.

What is the speaker's primary message to their students?

The speaker's primary message to their students is to embrace learning with joy, persevere through challenges, and believe in their potential. They emphasize that the students have the ability to achieve great things like becoming doctors, engineers, or even national heroes, as long as they don't give up on their dreams.

How does the speaker describe the impact of public school teaching on their life?

The speaker describes public school teaching as a meaningful and transformative experience, not only making them a better teacher but also a better person. Their students are the reason they find purpose in teaching, and the challenges they face in public schools deepen their dedication.

Why did people initially question the speaker's decision to teach in a public school?

People questioned the speaker's decision because they had strong academic credentials and opportunities to work in private schools or pursue a medical career. Many thought teaching in a public school was a waste of their talents and education.

What was the speaker's response to comments about public schools being inadequate?

The speaker recognized that criticism of their decision to teach in public schools revealed a broader perception of public schools as inferior. They acknowledged the challenges but insisted that public schools hold great potential and that their decision to teach there was not a mistake.

What significant metaphor does the speaker use when talking about public school students and teachers?

The speaker uses the metaphor of hope and belief, stressing that teachers must believe in their students' potential before they can see it realized. This reflects the idea that belief is a critical part of helping students succeed.

How does the speaker highlight the dedication of public school teachers?

The speaker shares stories of fellow public school teachers, like Sir Edmond and Ma'am Linda, who go above and beyond their duties, teaching in difficult conditions and continually striving to improve their teaching skills and help their students.

What role does the 'Kapit Guro' support group play in the speaker's life?

The 'Kapit Guro' support group was created by the speaker and fellow teachers to provide mutual support as they work to improve their classrooms and teaching. It emphasizes the need for collaboration and emotional support among passionate educators.

What was the impact of the speaker's student Darwin on their perspective?

Darwin, one of the speaker's students, exemplified the success and potential of public school students. Darwin's journey from a public school to becoming an honor student at Ateneo High School serves as a personal 'return on investment' for the speaker and reinforces their belief in the value of public education.

What overarching message does the speaker leave about public education and teaching?

The speaker's overarching message is that teaching in public schools, while challenging, is deeply rewarding and critical for the future of the country. They believe that investing in public school students and believing in their potential will lead to a better, more equitable society.