The Other Superwoman: Not your Ordinary Lifesaver
Jocelle T. Pizarra
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The Filipino Watchdog 10:21 PM | Tuesday, March 24th, 2015
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Engaged in an after-class chat with her co-teachers, she was fondly speaking with her ever-evident confidence. As she was in the stream of conversation, she looked to the door with her always welcoming face. Then saw her former student who starts up with a shy wave towards her hero.
She let the student in and was asked to sit, showing her care. But she borrowed another couple of minutes just to finish the interrupted talk. Far from irritating, this just proves her sincerity and how she did not want things left undone.
She is Joanna Marie C. Billones, or "Ma'am Bill" as her students call her. Though young and still in the prime of her years, she had already been on the noble profession of teaching for almost 8 years since 2006.
Fated Power
Unlike other educators who had set their hearts on the career beforehand, Ma'am Bill, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education graduate of Bulacan State University (BulSU), shared how her commitment to education sparked by means of a university pamphlet.
"Nakakatuwa ang BSU [BulSU] dahil mayroon silang pamphlet, in-isa-isa ko siya, in-isa-isa ko 'yong mga course, 'yong mga major. I think magsi-sink in ako sa English. That's how I decided to be a teacher," says Billones.
Presently ranked as Teacher III, she is teaching the English subject to Grade 9 and serves as the adviser of The Garden Chronicles, the paper of the school where she teaches, the Felizardo C. Lipana National High school in Guiguinto, Bulacan.
Same as typical teachers, Ma'am Bill is mastering the art of patience whenever students go rough. And with the millennial generation growing in numbers, the 29-year old mentor has to extend her understanding to another leap.
" Ang mga students ko are born with technology, short-tempered, dahil sanay sa instant lahat, in a snap of a finger, everything should happen, nagiging bugnutin. Sometimes I compare myself in this generation. I somehow fail to remind myself na iba sila," she continues.
To handle all of the pressure and headaches of being a second mother, she set herself a very strong personality. Disciplinary actions, as she deemed necessary for the situation, were also being applied. She also shared an instance when her presence alone drove the students to behave upon recognizing her authority.
On the other hand, being a teacher does not entitle a person to compel his students in show of supremacy. One has to be reasonable so as not to create trauma to the youngsters.
"Nagagalit ako minsan sa kanila, pero 'pag nagalit ako, I see to it na mayroong dahilan,” claims Billones.
Of her 8 years in service, Joanna Marie is enjoying her time. She laments no regrets and is truly devoted in shouldering a part of the responsibility of instilling knowledge to the Rizal-dubbed ‘hope of Motherland’.
The Kryptonite effect
She could be strict at times, but her ‘mother instinct’ kicks in whenever her students need help. Not to mention the meager salary she earns monthly, the mentor, despite having the passion in the teaching profession, is having thoughts of resigning.
"Hindi natatapos ang trabaho namin paglabas ng eskwelahan. ’Pag may nakita kaming estudyante [nangangailangan] hindi p’wedeng pabayaan," she warm-heartedly shares.
When asked upon the unexpected idea, she just put a hand to her throat, pointing out the decline of her vocals. The kryptonite she is battling with.
It was in 2007 when Ma'am Bill first noticed the hoarseness of her voice. Later on, the doctors she consulted prescribed her to rest her vocal cords. This greatly affected her teaching duties as she had to take a leave for week and was forbidden to talk.
"Umiyak ako noon, hindi na kasi bumalik sa dati [boses]. Pero hindi ko sinisisi ang pagtuturo, by nature, I'm really talkative," she jokes.
Head held high in flying colors
Still, there are enough reasons for this one of the millions of teacher-heroes to stay in the academe. It is also noted by Billones during the World Teachers' Day when students never fail to appreciate her efforts by giving tokens and gifts.
She is very thankful that even the past batches never forget to visit despite the years that passed after they graduated.
"Nakakatuwang bigyan ka ng regalo ng estudyante, pero mas nakakatuwang bigyan ka ng regalo ng estudyanteng hindi mo na estudyante," she said.
The world is in awe of superheroes in capes, shield-bearing, swords in hand and with devastating laser beams. But in real life, there are versions of them.
She does not come in cape but clad in a teacher's uniform. She’s not bearing any shield, but she’s armed with books. She doesn't have devastating laser beams, instead, she has the nurturing power of knowledge. There is no need for her to fly to save lives, but all she needs is to stand in front of the classroom to make a difference.
With this, Ms. Billones is a hero of today.
She let the student in and was asked to sit, showing her care. But she borrowed another couple of minutes just to finish the interrupted talk. Far from irritating, this just proves her sincerity and how she did not want things left undone.
She is Joanna Marie C. Billones, or "Ma'am Bill" as her students call her. Though young and still in the prime of her years, she had already been on the noble profession of teaching for almost 8 years since 2006.
Fated Power
Unlike other educators who had set their hearts on the career beforehand, Ma'am Bill, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education graduate of Bulacan State University (BulSU), shared how her commitment to education sparked by means of a university pamphlet.
"Nakakatuwa ang BSU [BulSU] dahil mayroon silang pamphlet, in-isa-isa ko siya, in-isa-isa ko 'yong mga course, 'yong mga major. I think magsi-sink in ako sa English. That's how I decided to be a teacher," says Billones.
Presently ranked as Teacher III, she is teaching the English subject to Grade 9 and serves as the adviser of The Garden Chronicles, the paper of the school where she teaches, the Felizardo C. Lipana National High school in Guiguinto, Bulacan.
Same as typical teachers, Ma'am Bill is mastering the art of patience whenever students go rough. And with the millennial generation growing in numbers, the 29-year old mentor has to extend her understanding to another leap.
" Ang mga students ko are born with technology, short-tempered, dahil sanay sa instant lahat, in a snap of a finger, everything should happen, nagiging bugnutin. Sometimes I compare myself in this generation. I somehow fail to remind myself na iba sila," she continues.
To handle all of the pressure and headaches of being a second mother, she set herself a very strong personality. Disciplinary actions, as she deemed necessary for the situation, were also being applied. She also shared an instance when her presence alone drove the students to behave upon recognizing her authority.
On the other hand, being a teacher does not entitle a person to compel his students in show of supremacy. One has to be reasonable so as not to create trauma to the youngsters.
"Nagagalit ako minsan sa kanila, pero 'pag nagalit ako, I see to it na mayroong dahilan,” claims Billones.
Of her 8 years in service, Joanna Marie is enjoying her time. She laments no regrets and is truly devoted in shouldering a part of the responsibility of instilling knowledge to the Rizal-dubbed ‘hope of Motherland’.
The Kryptonite effect
She could be strict at times, but her ‘mother instinct’ kicks in whenever her students need help. Not to mention the meager salary she earns monthly, the mentor, despite having the passion in the teaching profession, is having thoughts of resigning.
"Hindi natatapos ang trabaho namin paglabas ng eskwelahan. ’Pag may nakita kaming estudyante [nangangailangan] hindi p’wedeng pabayaan," she warm-heartedly shares.
When asked upon the unexpected idea, she just put a hand to her throat, pointing out the decline of her vocals. The kryptonite she is battling with.
It was in 2007 when Ma'am Bill first noticed the hoarseness of her voice. Later on, the doctors she consulted prescribed her to rest her vocal cords. This greatly affected her teaching duties as she had to take a leave for week and was forbidden to talk.
"Umiyak ako noon, hindi na kasi bumalik sa dati [boses]. Pero hindi ko sinisisi ang pagtuturo, by nature, I'm really talkative," she jokes.
Head held high in flying colors
Still, there are enough reasons for this one of the millions of teacher-heroes to stay in the academe. It is also noted by Billones during the World Teachers' Day when students never fail to appreciate her efforts by giving tokens and gifts.
She is very thankful that even the past batches never forget to visit despite the years that passed after they graduated.
"Nakakatuwang bigyan ka ng regalo ng estudyante, pero mas nakakatuwang bigyan ka ng regalo ng estudyanteng hindi mo na estudyante," she said.
The world is in awe of superheroes in capes, shield-bearing, swords in hand and with devastating laser beams. But in real life, there are versions of them.
She does not come in cape but clad in a teacher's uniform. She’s not bearing any shield, but she’s armed with books. She doesn't have devastating laser beams, instead, she has the nurturing power of knowledge. There is no need for her to fly to save lives, but all she needs is to stand in front of the classroom to make a difference.
With this, Ms. Billones is a hero of today.