Born to be a Teacher : My Life's Journey (My Introductory Post)

Hi!My name is Roxan. I am married and have 2 beautiful kids (a boy and a girl). A coffee-lover, and a nature enthusiast. I was born and raise in Toledo City, (the Joyful City) my beloved city, one of the cities in Cebu, Philippines. Of course I love my hometown. This is where I grew up, this is where I was nurtured and this is where I am rooted from. And if we are going to choose a place to enjoy for the rest of our lives, we always choose HOME.

(pictures edited in Canva)

I am from a very simple family. I am the youngest of 7 siblings. And being the youngest, there is always this misconception of a BRAT, THE VERY LUCKY, THE NAUGHTY…My father used to be a government employee and my mother is a housewife. But they were able to send us to college.
I am an introvert type of person. I have friends but I am not the type of person who will approach you first and introduce my self. But I am the very best of friends you could possibly have. I don’t go out often. I could say I am a “homebuddy”.when I was a kid, I would prefer reading books than going out with my cousins or friends. And even now that I am an adult, Id rather stay home with my kids than going out somewhere. Back then my hobbies are just reading books and writing poems. So, when I came across Hive.blog, through Miss Antonette Langgamon, I grabbed the opportunity so I can express my thoughts. I thought to myself it’s a great way for me to express myself and my experiences.

(photos edited in Canva)

I am a teacher by profession. And I have been teaching for 17 years. Becoming a teacher wasn’t my first choice. After my graduation in high school, my sister just dragged me to a university, took an entrance exam and interview, and eventually passed. But at the back of my mind, I wanted to realize my dream…the dream of becoming a Flight Attendant. Yes, I wanted to fly and be able to travel the whole world. But because I am a very obedient daughter, I’d just go where my parents wanted me to and do whatever they told me to do. Career in Education is much more affordable anyway. I was only 17 years old when I had to live away from my family to study in college. It was my first time to live alone and be independent. I have to cook my own food and wash my own clothes. Cebu City is more than an hour away from my hometown, so it is not ideal for me to travel everyday. I only go home on weekends. So, they have me rented a boarding house. Imagine, It was my first time to be in a city and I have to live alone without my family? Fortunately, I was able to make friends with my housemates and we just went to the same university. I felt homesick at first but eventually I got the hang of it. After I graduated in college, I took the Board Exam, and luckily I passed. Enrolled in a Masters program, stopped, and got a job from a corporate world. I enjoyed it though but eventually got bored and quit and applied for an ESL job. I worked as an ESL teacher for about 2 years. I enjoyed my life being an independent career woman. I can buy anything from my own sweat and tears. I was already 25 years old when I entered into a romantic relationship. I am a late-bloomer as you can call me. I had 2 relationships, but unfortunately ended. Well, that’s the way it is! I cried, I moved on and start again. Because of my past relationships I wasn’t able to focus what my goal really was. I was looking for my purpose. What am I here for? So, I quit my job and I returned to my hometown. Perhaps, city life wasn’t for me.

(photos edited in Canva)

I started reconnecting with my high school friends. And that’s when I met my childhood sweetheart. The last time we met was during our practice teaching years. He was from another university but we had our practicum in one of the schools in my hometown. We never got the chance to be together because he was in a commitment. To make it short, we reconnect. We made sure every minute will be etched in our core memory. We enjoyed each other’s company. But, he has to go back abroad. Our relationship continued for months and we planned to tie the knot once he come home and in the process of building a house for me. It was a long distance relationship, unfortunately it did not survive. The news of him coming back to the Philippines and lived with another woman was a shock for me. It greatly affected me and devastated me. I felt helpless but I had to move on.
One day, one of my colleagues in the ESL industry phoned me and asked me if I could replace her from her job in a private school because she was about to resign and join in the Department of Education. I was still in the process of healing from the heartaches so I grabbed the chance.A chance for me to forget and keep myself busy. I worked in that private school for a year and this is where my story with my husband started. And guess what makes it funny? My husband was my student’ s half- brother. It was during Card Day when I first met him. It was actually my student’s plan for me to meet his brother. It was never easy to trust again. There were so much what-ifs.

(photos edited in Canva)

And in 2010, I got accepted in the Department of Education. I was first assigned in a mountain school. It was quite challenging at first but then I eventually I enjoyed it especially the “topload ride” with my co-teachers. Now, I am in my 10th year in my present station, my Alma Mater. It feels good to teach and serve in a school where you were once a learner.
So I guess my purpose is really to be an educator no matter how I tried to avoid it. It is my purpose to share my knowledge and skills to the younger generation. It’s a great feeling to bump into your former students and able to see how far they have become now.

(photos edited in Canva)

I would like to thank Ms Antonette for sharing me her knowledge about hive and for onboarding me here so I can share my stories and experiences.

See you in my next stories...

Disclaimer: All pictures are original and edited through Canva. I will abide by the rules of the community that posting of AI is strictly prohibited.