After two years, I found myself attending an interview again. I honestly thought it wouldn’t happen anymore. I had already told myself that I would probably stay longer in my role as an executive secretary, maybe five years or more. I had already convinced myself that this was it for me.
But somehow, it wasn’t.
After many times than I can count, I decided to walk in, literally, into a school I had been quietly watching for a long time. Even before I passed the LET, that school was already on my mind.
For the longest time, I placed limits on myself. I told myself that maybe office work was where I belonged. That maybe teaching wasn’t something I could fully handle, especially considering my condition. As someone living with bipolar disorder, I doubted if I could carry the emotional and mental demands of being a teacher.
But this dream, the one I believe the Lord planted in my heart, never really left me. It has been there since I was a child. Maybe I took it for granted at some point, especially since my course was something I took because of a scholarship opportunity. But even with all the limitations I placed on myself, the desire remained.
And maybe, this time, I was just being given the chance to try again.
I went to that interview six days before my 30th birthday. I saw that they were prioritizing walk-in applicants, and while printing my resume, I was still unsure if I would actually submit it. But I was already there. Might as well take the step.
I arrived at 9:00 a.m at the school. I waited for HR, trying to steady my thoughts. Then the interview started.
It went okay. I was nervous, especially during some questions that felt like they were meant to trick me. I kept thinking I got them wrong, but the HR reassured me, there were no right or wrong answers for those. The grammar and routine questions felt manageable, at least.
After that, I was endorsed to the Assistant Principal. She was kind, easy to talk to. And somewhere in that conversation, she mentioned that I matched what they had been praying for in a teacher. That stayed with me.
Then came the part I was both expecting and felt so challenging, the teaching demonstration, with real students.
Five years. That’s how long it had been since my last on-campus demo with actual students. And that one? It was online, during the pandemic. My off-campus final demonstration back then was a peer demo with fellow pre-service teachers. So this, this felt different. Real. Challenging.
I had almost two days to prepare. The lesson was for Grade 9 English, and during the demo, I faced a panel of four: an Elementary English teacher, a Junior High School English teacher, the Junior High School Teaching Coordinator, and the Assistant Principal.
Of course, there were points for improvement. There always are. But what stayed with me was what the Assistant Principal said, that I could take note of those and grow along the way. They were even surprised that it had been five years since my last demo. Parang hindi raw nawala. Yung puso para sa pagtuturo.
Hindi naman ito pagmamayabang. More like, acknowledgment. That maybe, I’m being called out of my comfort zone again. And this time, I want to respond better.
I’ve been praying for guidance. And I remember what a friend told me, someone who’s already in the teaching field. Maraming teachers ang napapagod, nauubos. That’s why it’s important to stay grounded, to focus on what truly matters, and to find joy in what you do.
And during that demo, I did.
It didn’t feel like a demo anymore. It felt real. I found myself enjoying the moment, connecting with the students, seeing their engagement. And in that space, something clicked.
Kaya ko pala.
As I was leaving the school, on the front of the stage area, there were students where I believe, attended my teaching demo. They greeted me, “Hi, Ma’am.” Simple, but it stayed with me. It felt good. It felt right.
I walked away feeling excited, with a little fear, yes, but also with hope. Like I’m stepping into something meaningful again.
Hindi lang ako nakapag-picture during the demo or post-conference, but maybe that’s okay. I’ll have more chances for that soon.
For now, I’m rendering my remaining days at the office. And this coming May 2026, I’ll be stepping into my teaching era.
Praying for a good and meaningful season. :>
