Mauie Flores

Photo: “Day 42: Overwhelmed” by Bryan Gosline, c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved

In March of 2009, I made the hard decision of quitting my tutoring post in our center. It was difficult for me to let go of a job that gave me fulfillment. Plus, working in my parents' place gave me the chance to see them more often. Overtime, I got tired of the daily travel to and from work. I also had one demanding parent-client who made me so stressed out. I realized that the stress was affecting my sugar levels. The night I almost fainted upon arriving home was the night I decided to stop teaching and just work from home.

Stress does have a big effect on blood glucose levels. When we feel extreme emotions like fear, anxiety or nervousness, the body releases adrenaline into the bloodstream. In grade school, we are taught that adrenaline rush makes the body stronger and that is made possible by increasing blood sugar into levels that are higher than usual.

Now that I know how stress affects my blood sugar levels, I make it a point to relax more and avoid strenuous activities. I started to attend yoga class in the gym and I also do yoga at home. Yoga helped improve my breathing technique. I am also doing a little laughter yoga and my favorite shows nowadays are comedy sitcoms. I used my extra time to enroll myself in photography class and baking class. I also got to have more quiet time to read my books. The best part of it all is that, I now have the freedom to travel with my boys.

No stress for this diabetic. And I hope other diabetics get to have more stress-free days like I do.


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Oh no, not me. That would be my brother, Lloyd. I am not that confident with my Math skills. Even though I can help younger students with simple Math questions, I would need to review on some concepts before I teach Math to students 5th grade and up. Yeah, believe me. I even had to review online about Prime numbers before I was able to help my student in his homework.

In our tutorial center, it is I who handled the younger students. I also prepared worksheets for them and the other students. As I mentioned, Lloyd tutors Math to college students and high school students. My sister Doreen, on the other hand, offers Chemistry homework help, Biology, and Physics since she's also a licensed pharmacist.

When I started posting my worksheets in my parenting blog, I also started to receive inquiries about online tutoring. I realized that there is a huge need for online tutors nowadays but we can't provide it at the moment. In the meantime, what I can recommend is Tutor Vista when it comes to Geometry help, Chemistry help, and Physics help since they are available online 24/7.

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It's almost the end of the school year once again. During this time of the year, we usually get a lot of clients asking for tutorial services. Well, basically, most of our parent clients feel like it is the end of the world when they only have barely two months to go before their children receive their final marks. They mostly panic after receiving the not so favorable report card marks after the second trimester or second grading period. Most of the students that come in during this time are graduating high school students needing help in Math and Science subjects.

In our tutorial center, where my mom, me, and my other four siblings are the tutors, I delegate clients to the tutor who is most experienced in the subject. My brother and my sister usually get their hands full during this time of the year because of this. Yes, I cannot teach high school Math and Science subjects yet. I am not that confident with my teaching skills in those subjects yet as I feel the need to brush up on my Math. I guess I will need to buy the cheapest college textbooks I can find and self-study for a while. Hopefully, I can teach Math to the older students once I get to improve my Math teaching skills.

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I am sharing a funny scene from work today. Again, these kind of moments make me appreciate my work as a teacher.

Remember my Filipino-Japanese student Naoya? Just recently, we had to change his schedule because his mom wanted for him to have longer sessions. His basal reading skills have shown great improvement compared to when we started. He just needs enrichment activities to further hone his reading comprehension.

I couldn't squeeze in a longer session for him in my schedule so I had to delegate my brother, Lucky, to handle his sessions. This funny scene actually happened during one of their first sessions.

Naoya had homework that day and he needed to color a page in his book. He was singing Michael Jackson's "Heal The World" to himself while coloring the pictures in his book. This was the song that his class performed during his school's United Nations Day program a few weeks back.


Naoya showing off his name in Japanese writing.
Lucky may have found it cute that he got his digital camera and filmed a vidoe of Naoya's singing. When the child noticed that he was being filmed, he stopped. To make him sing again, my brother asked, "Ano nga yang kanta mo?" (What was that song again?) Naoya went on with his coloring minus the singing. Again, in a desperate attempt to make him sing the song again, Lucky asked, "Paano nga ang simula nun?" (How does it start?) And in a cool and connfident tone, the cute little boy blurted out "H!"

I was laughing out loud while watching the video. Guess Naoya's got a point. "Heal The World" does start with the letter H!

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One afternoon, Maki, my Grade 2 student said in his usual bulol Tagalog "Ano nangyari na kaibigan ko?" He is still in the process of learning more of the Filipino language with me everyday. I knew he meant "What has happened to my friend?" and that he was anxious for Bernard to arrive.

Bernard in in Grade 5. He is my last student for the day and comes after Maki. He usually arrives 30 minutes earlier than his scheduled session. Oftentimes, he does playful jokes on Maki when he feels like it. I think he considers Maki as the younger brother that he never had. Like real brothers, they quarrel too!

I asked Maki, "Akala ko ba bully mo si Bernard?" ("I thought Bernard is your bully?") He denied it and gave me the impression that they have settled it already by saying "Bati na kami!" His answer was so innocent and sincere.

If only adults act more like these kids do, then the world will be a better place, don't you think? Confrontations may be complicated but a simple "I'm sorry" goes a long way. If kids find it easy to forgive, why do adults tend to have a hard time doing it?

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This is the fun part of being Teacher Mauie. I get to have fun with other kids while I'm helping them learn. In teaching, I tend to be more like a friend than a strict tutor. Still, that doesn't mean that I let them do whatever they want. I just make it a point to make them love learning and not hate it.

I'm sharing pictures of my two dear boys, Naoya (who's in K2 at St. Gabriel International School) and Maki (who's in Grade 2 at La Salle Greenhills). I'm sharing Maki's drawing of "Fort Santiago" as well. We were studying about "Mga Makasaysayang Pook" when the pictures were taken.

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Once in a blue moon, I write about my experiences as a teacher. I think that I didn't write more about them in the past because my subconcsious mind doesn't want to. It's just that, sometimes, I do get so tired at the end of the day that my mind wants to get away from what I do at work. Besides, I get to write more seldom now. Now I feel the need to write because after these past few years of teaching, I have become a more learned person. Students can teach teachers, too... BELIEVE ME!

From Rap I have learned to become a different person apart from what I was back then. My son was my first student (as I were his). I taught him in homeschool for a year before we sent him to a big school. He was able to read independently before he turned three. That's when I knew that I can teach. So I enrolled myself in graduate school and reinvented myself.

From my Kinder 1 class I have learned how to share. I learned how to share myself with other children. I learned how to divide my love and attention with 14 kids everyday. Some of them needed me to say "Good Job!" for a coloring activity even they have made a rainbow-colored person. Some of them needed me to sing for them their favorite nursery songs. Some of them needed me to tell them stories. But all of them needed me to show them how to have fun with learning. Oh how I miss our "Spiderman Clap" days!

I learned so much from my special kids. From Josh, I learned patience. Once he turned his table upside down because he was so frustrated with our seat work. I would have lost my senses but I managed to take a deep breath and just relax. From Kenneth's crying and headbanging moments, I learned to be understanding of others. I started to research more about autism and how to become a more effective teacher of an autistic child. From Keille and Angela, I learned how to appreciate life's little triumphs. I jumped with joy with every new word that is added to their vocabulary.

I learned how to dream from Lorane. She may be mentally challenged but she has dreams of making it big someday. I hope that someday all of them can come true. From Elliza I learned acceptance. Her teachers and classmates may think of her as a naughty child but all I got to see the sweet girl that was just longing to be accepted. From Viana I learned that a family doesn't only mean having both mom and dad together. From Isha's very busy schedule I learned about time management. From Maki I learned how important it is for a Filipino child to learn Filipino (unless the parents plan to send their kids to international school!). From Bernard I learned cooperation. Success in learning away from school is possible only from a joint collaboration between tutor, student, and parents. From Naoya I learned how to smile more. Once I asked him why he's always giggling during our sessions. He told me "Para tatawa ka at hindi ka papangit!" Hahaha, this one's really a classic. A child's innocence really is amazing.

My mom is a retired professor. Growing up in a family who always needed to make ends meet, I have always frowned upon the thought of me being a teacher. But here I am, back to the noble profession that helped my mom feed and educate me and my siblings. I am glad I became a teacher because from being one I become a well-rounded person each day.

To teach is to learn twice. ~Joseph Joubert, Pensées, 1842

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Last night, I received news from Kuya Alex, a cousin working in Saudi Arabia. His co-worker, Bong Gumaran, has passed the International English Language Testing System or IELTS. It is the test that measures the ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication.

My sister and co-tutor, Doreen, is also an IELTS passer. Kuya Alex referred us to Bong and he went home last October to attend one-on-one review sessions with us. Ate Do handled the Listening, Writing, and Speaking areas while I, as a taught him Reading. Bong took the exam in the first week of November.

We think that one-on-one IELTS tutoring is better than the regular small class review sessions that other centers offer. For one, we can cater our teaching style with the unique need of each student. Also, especially in the Speaking area, the student gets to speak with the tutor him/herself and not with a fellow student. Thus, the proper accent is modeled by the teacher and followed by the student.

For interested parties, you may contact us thru this site. You can also visit our homepage.

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I have been thinking about my life lately. Here's my Monday to Friday (except Holidays) routine: I wake up at 5 in the morning, see Daddyjun off to work (sometimes even start the car if he's running late), prepare Rap's baon and breakfast, wake Rap up, dress him up for school, feed him breakfast, see him off to school, take a bath, dress up, and go to work. I teach from 8 until 10 a.m., Break time (that's the time when I eat lunch prepare worksheets, administrative, and accounting work) until 3 p.m., and then teach again until 6 p.m. Go home with Rap. Eat dinner, clean up, and sleep by 8 p.m.. Nine hours of sleep a day ain't bad at all.

Nevertheless, I still get too tired from this routine. I still feel that I don't have time for my self at all. Last year, I had all the time in the world for myself. I get monthly facials, weekly trips to the salon, and daily doses of blogging, Friendster, Multiply, and Neopets. I even had the time to organize our clan's Christmas Party. Don't get me wrong. I AM NOT COMPLAINING. It's just that when I'm tired, I start to miss the time that I had all for myself back then.

After weighing the ups and downs, I realized that what I have now is more fulfilling than what I had in the past. I still have the luxury of being my own boss and getting to balance work and family affairs. It's not about earning money because, frankly, I'm not getting too much out of teaching. It's the feeling of self-worth that I feel today. Today, unlike before, I feel that I am important because a lot of people count on me. That's what matters now.

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Friday is art and crafts time once again. We reserve this day to let the kids relax and unwind. Meaning, there are no academic subjects pag Friday. Only PE, games, theater arts, and arts and crafts.

Here are my Grade 1 students busy making 3D stars. Ms. Len (my teacher aide) and I used them to decorate our classroom for the holidays. Actually, they have made decors for 2 Fridays already. I'm proud to say that our room is the most "Christmasy" (if there is such a word!).

I'm sad that my time with the school will be almost over. We have to move back to Manila come summer time. Ralph will take the admission test in Don Bosco Makati soon. Daddy Jun has recently resigned from Intel and is now a Duty Manager at Coca Cola Exports (in Makati also).

It's the same thing all over again. Ganito rin dati when I was still in the Editorial Dept. of Saint Mary's Publishing. We have to move to Santa Rosa kasi Intel opened the new site (back then) in Cavite. I had to resign. Santa Rosa has little job opportunities then. Ngayon, we have to move nanaman, and I have to sacrifice my career. Although, I think that I have lots of opportunities in Makati. I can teach or offer tutorial services. Or maybe, I can just go back to my old part-time mommy and wife and part-time grad student existence. Lapit na rin ng thesis ko eh.

What I will miss most are the kids. Next to them are the friendships I have established with my co-teachers and the school staff. Ang school, parang extension lang ng bahay ko eh. Ang saya ng bawat araw.

Haay naku, mag senti ba? Tama na nga, tagal pa naman yon eh. I still have to produce a bright idea for the class' production number on our Christmas concert. Any ideas?

:)

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Grabe na ito. Two months na ako nagtuturo. I'm proud of myself that I'm surviving. In the first month, I remember wishing for a typhoon para ma-suspend ang classes. Alam mo naman ang pre-school, Signal No. 1 lang wala nang class. May dreams pa nga ako na napapalo ko daw yung mga students ko kasi sobrang kulit. Haay naku, mga repressed emotions talaga sa subconscious lahat naiipon.

Ngayon, I think I adapted. And I am enjoying every minute of it. I think, blessing na rin na napalitan ang teacher aide ko (mahabang kwento.... ). Masayang kasama ang mga bata. Siguro makulit lang sila noon kasi bago pa ako. Parang they were trying to test my patience lang. Pero ngayon, isang tingin ko lang quiet na. And very participative na sila ha. Enjoy ako everytime na we're singing songs. Parang libre laro, libre release ng tensions.

Downside lang is hindi ako masyado makapagsulat sa blog. :(

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I will start working tomorrow as an English teacher to Koreans. After 5 years, this will be my first 8-5 job. Daming adjustments niyan sigurado. Like going to work every morning and going home in the evening by commute. Buti na lang it's in Ayala, Alabang lang kaya malapit pa rin. I'm excited na medyo takot. What if I can't be effective as I thought I can be. Bahala na si Batman, basta chichikahin ko na lang sila in English. Sabi nga ni Ate Do, alam naman nila ang grammar rules eh, kulang lang sila sa application. And may course outline naman so hindi na mahirap sundin yun.

Ok lang kay Daddy Jun na mag-work ako uli. I'm not in it for the money naman eh. I also need the experience. Hirap naman na puro theories lang ang alam ko at walang application ng mga inaaral ko sa Masters, di ba? Naku, speaking of money, stop na ang allowance ko nito kay Daddy Jun. Kakahiya naman no!

Si Rap ang galit. Hay naku, ayaw talaga ako nun mag-work. Porke ala daw siyang mommy sa bahay, malulungkot daw siya, etc. etc. etc. Eh nung sinabi kong unang sweldo ko bibilhan ko siya ng bagong DVD, aba, kulang na lang ipagtulakan ako sa pinto at umalis na uli! Hehehe! Bata nga naman. Ok na siguro yun. Malaki na siya eh, hindi na kailangan ng supervision ko. Saka pag gabi naman may time pa rin for me to review him with his lessons and help him with his assignments.

Well... this also means another thing. Lesser time for blogging na naman. I have work, school, and family life to juggle everyday. Malamang I can only do this every Sunday. :)

S

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