Looking at it at the frontal view, you may not notice its beauty. You would probably say, it’s not conducive for learning. But going deeper and examine each area from the inside, you will be surprised because of the wonder and fascinating beauty it would reveal not only on the physical aspect but all other features. Its beauty is enveloped with the accumulated love, cooperation, support, and collaboration of all the forces surrounding it. That is Sta. Teresa Elementary School or STES for short. STES is located near the boundary of Barangay Sta. Teresa and Gammad, Iguig, Cagayan. It started with Grade 1 class and a lone teacher in 1997 to 2006. As school years pass by, the enrollment is becoming bigger and bigger until it was turned into a complete elementary school. Through the leadership of the different school heads, the school was developed not only in its physical aspect but also with other features particularly the total development of the learners who are the center of the education process. The school is the only elementary school in Iguig District which has a two-storey building. The front area of the school is owned by barangay Sta. Teresa, that is why you can not see immediately the beauty of the school unless you get down and go at the back of building 1. From the entrance you would feel the excitement because you would think that something surprising awaits you as you walk through the path going inside the school premise. Yes, the school is clean and orderly with well-landscaped ground, speak-and-span classrooms, and a well-organized principal’s office. The school’s focus is not on its physical aspect. The stakeholders, both the internal and the external are balancing everything, that is why cleanliness, safety and beauty is being maintained. The teachers and school head ensure that their best services are well-rendered for quality education. The pupils as well as the teachers excel in their performances as manifested in the awards they receive during the different competitions conducted in the district, congressional, division or even in higher levels. The school was also awarded Best Performing School in the Division in 2018. It was also validated as SBM Level 2 in the same year. The school head, Zenaida O. Quilenderino, was awarded as the most outstanding school head not only in the District and Division level but also in the Regional level. Researches and other innovative works were conducted by the teachers to improve instructions and learning outcomes as well as the school head for the improvement of leadership and governance. Because of the accomplishments and performances the learners, teachers and school head who are always showcasing their best, coupled with the best and all-out support and cooperation of the stakeholders, a tag line was created, that is, “Basta STES da Best. Truly STES is the best. This is because of the outstanding leadership of the school head, the commitment of the teachers, the obedience and diligence of the learners and the support and cooperation of other stakeholders. The strong partnership and collaboration of all stakeholders really makes the school to be on top of others. It makes a name which is being recognized by others. The continued support and cooperation of everybody will make STES stand firm on the ground of great vision within the frame of excellent quality education. It will continue to grow “big” in terms of pupil and teacher programs and high impact projects geared towards uncovering pupils’ potential and providing them with skills via strong stakeholders’ partnership.
