A warm aroma engulfs the room in a comfortable yet serious haze, seemingly intertwining with the earthly scent emanating off wood, along with the synthetic whiff of rubber from an eraser, and the faint yet pleasantly musty fragrance percolating in the air. The sun rises through the horizon, signifying the start of a new day–as the schooling commences, the learning materials prepare themselves to lead students into various dimensions of lessons and topics, opening doors of knowledge and wisdom as they tread the journey of education. From papers, pencils and pens, erasers, books, and the most important of all, teachers—carrying school supplies as the school supplies.

Like school supplies, teachers aid students in learning, contributing more than just the skill to write, read, and calculate. Imparting learners with life-long lessons, laughter, and most importantly, wisdom. Many have come and gone to Antipolo City National Science and Technology High School (ACNSTHS), from new batches of juniors to graduating seniors, each is on their way to unravel chapters of their lives in pursuing an educational journey. However, materializing ambitions aren’t reserved for students, as the school’s teachers leap to explore a world filled with possibilities in hopes of reaching their dreams. In celebrating the month of teachers, we commemorate those who have parted ways with ACNSTHS, but remain in our hearts.

Supplying Joy

A collection of paperwork and memories, through the years, portfolios have been the staple of Ma’am Ginelle Ms. Airisse Repala, a former English teacher. If you were to ask her students, the recollection of days where each of them had to answer a question and have seatworks after every discussion would come flooding in. Indeed, Ms. Airisse is a beloved teacher in ACNSTHS and beyond.

“I miss you guys so much. I miss the students, I miss the teachers, I miss the culture–” she said. Leaving the school wasn’t an easy decision for her, in her own words, it was a bittersweet experience. Saying goodbye to the school she worked in, the students she loved, and the colleagues she spent years with. It was hard, but it was time to expand the folder containing her life and compile her growth as a person in reaching for the same dreams she saw her students aim for.

Diving into her memories, Ms. Airisse wandered into the folders containing her recollections during her time in teaching. It wasn’t the initial life she had planned for herself, teaching wasn’t the profession the young she had dreamt of. Working behind the camera, writing a script, and being in a production team, this was the big picture. A picture never taken, because in her files, she was set to become a teacher, and she did. Working at ACNSTHS was a unique experience for her, the students gave her a chance to take her big picture by helping them memorize scripts in musical plays, and how to project their voices in speech choirs. Ms. Airisse projected herself and her dreams, giving her students all she could offer because their dedication inspired her to do more and reach further into her aspirations. 

In a sea of black and blue pens, one can find oneself drowning in the gray. Information mixes up when distinction can not be found to resolve this, students often use a variety of colors to represent every subject, letter, word, or lesson. Colored pens reflect the bright personality of Ma’am Eunice Pacifico, a former science teacher known for her humor and cunning personality. The pandemic ruled over her teaching experience in ACNSTHS, seldom having face-to-face interactions with her students which made her cherish the little time she spent during in-person classes.

“Exciting! Mas marami pa akong natutunan tungkol sa pagtuturo, agham at lipunan, at syempre tungkol sa aking sarili. Alam ko sa sarili ko na may mga aral sa buhay na ‘di ko sa AnSci or sa Antipolo mahahanap.” She stated. Ma'am Eunice went on her own journey to find answers to the questions she bears, experimenting with her life–spreading the same colors she left for her past students. With painted memories staying in their hearts, truly she painted their world and paved their way further into exploring fields of science. 

Supplying Honor

Competing for victory in the field of science is not something Ms. Rochelle Berosil is new at, she has been coaching students since the beginning of her work as a teacher in the school, sharpening them to become intelligent and productive learners who are ready to explore and innovate. In the eyes of her students, she’s the force that pushes them to be keen, academically, and practically, like a sharpener.

"Happy memories ang makarating sa regionals and nationals sa mga na-coach ko, bonus na lang ang manalo.” Ms. Berosil said while recalling the moments she spent in ACNSTHS. To her, the school is a place that can bridge connections despite leaving the campus–in her own words, being in ACNSTHS was rewarding. “Ansci built my resilience and adaptivity. Mas nag-improve ako when it comes to using diverse strategies para sipagin ang students ko. Being there increased my curiosity and lifelong learning.” She added.  

Without a doubt, the students she fostered have become excellent in different fields, continuing to pursue heights of knowledge from the essence of curiosity she left them. In this journey, Ms. Rochelle knew the impact she had, being an inspiration to future scientists, students, teachers, and parents in and outside ACNSTHS. Believe in yourself because Ms. Berosil believes in you.

Exact and precise, that is the thought that comes to mind in thinking of Ms. Beverly Abuan’s guidance. Much like a ruler, her accuracy in portraying different methods in excelling in the line of her subject aided students in learning, because to her, destiny had given her the path to become who she is today. The stars aligned as chances paved her way to becoming a teacher, it was not what she prepared for, teaching is for her.

“There’s a lot ahead of you. Stay focused on your tasks, study well. Focus on learning concepts, read books, and learn them outside the four walls of the classroom.” words she left for the current and future batang siyentipiko. Teacher Beverly cared for her students like her own children, helping them achieve their potential in more ways than one. Her guidance gave her students acknowledgement as their researches were  then renowned in multiple competitions, continuing the line of excellence in the field of science.

Supplying Discipline

Bring out your erasers and brace yourself in attesting to mistakes, and correcting them. For Mr. Edwin Abejero, a former mathematics teacher, pioneers the way out of miscalculation into enhancing mathematical prowess. Wisdom from his attentive schooling has brought students to tears, as his advice remains ingrained in the hearts of Batang Siyentipikos until now. 

“First year was challenging and exciting, being part of the 2nd batch of teachers in Ansci was an overwhelming but fruitful and meaningful experience.” he accounted. Being humble was undoubtedly a trait evident in Mr. Abejero, this left his students bearing more than just equations, it gave them humility and the heart to become understanding.

The tough love he showed learners was one of the reasons why he is loved and remembered by the community, the rules and conversations he has had with them helped in making students become more than just mathematically inclined, he emphasized the need to become disciplined in order to gain success. Remaining faithful and giving respect where it is due.

The imprint of a permanent marker is one that is not easily removed, it withstands time, remaining significant even after multiple attempts in clearing it. The marks might appear to be removed, but they linger in the memory, showing up time after time. Ms. Dhel Joanna Castro, a former English teacher, has left a permanent mark in the hearts and minds of the ACNSTHS community. 

“Staying in Ansci was a roller-coaster of emotions. It is either very happy or really sad. And there were a lot, each has its own lesson that I learned–it was hard to let go of something I started, but I felt that it is time for another teacher to experience the rush of handling such events” she said. It was an experience having her as a teacher, Ms. Castro had helped students elevate their lives in terms of desiring more while maintaining boundaries to avoid burning out. She accentuated the need for the students to become respectable as they are bearing the name of the institution, while not forgetting their individuality. This  is important in a school filled with people constantly pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion.

School supplies are not the mere tools we use in school every day. Sometimes, they take the form of a teacher, supplying further than basic skills–they give us hope, drive, and wisdom that we can carry everywhere in any situation as we step further into becoming a part of the real world. As the celebration for the month of teachers takes place, we commemorate those who have left the ACNSTHS community. Remembering their significant contributions to the betterment of the school and its people, wholeheartedly expressing gratitude to the ones who nourished and nurtured the minds of Batang Siyentipikos. Instilling the memories shared by different batches in the soul of students to preserve the values these educators have worked hard to bequeath. Functioning like an advanced folder, colored pens, sharpener, ruler, eraser, and permanent marker; the unparalleled students in different professions, universities, and competitions they produced are further proving how these school supplies are the core of how the school supplies.