Kagaymamasahista Unknown Struggles

During the surge of COVID-19, Mrs. Moñez also suffered a financial loss within the first four months of the pandemic. Massage therapy was suspended due to protocols.

Relying only on her husband’s tricycle for their living and receiving help from the Social Security System (SSS), they were still able to get through that phase.

After the first four months, she was able to resume work and immediately strive to support their family.

A mother and a breadwinner all in one are just a few of the spectacular aspects that Mrs. Monez possesses. Working is significantly difficult—let alone being an attentive mom who only looks up to the future of her children.

What does it take to be a teacher?

They teach to inspire—their lessons spread like wildfire. “Lazy” hardly befit the most of them as they take on countless responsibilities. As soon as the pandemic struck, the world was about to face its long-standing dilemma.Gemma, a fifty-yearold Elementary teacher is not an exception as she encounters struggles caused by the new normal.

For a teacher who used to teach in face-to-face classes for more than 10 years, the new alternative presented by the Department of Education (DepEd) is a tall mountain for her to climb. From years of molding herself to be in the best quality of the ‘standard’ teaching, who would have thought a global crisis could change her traditional being? While some are familiar and comfortable using their cutting-edge gadgets for online and modular classes, the puzzled teacher struggles to keep up.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, over 28% of educators reported one of their best achievements was overcoming and learning technology. This small-scale proves that one of the utmost hassles teachers experience during distance-learning is using technology including school-based applications.

“Para nako, dili lalim ang bag-ong pamaagi sa pagtudlo (For me, the alternative way of teaching is not easy)”, Judith utters her candor and concern.

The current situation caused Judith to yearn for the actual presence of students around her—and just like someone who is not accustomed to using digital devices, she constantly needs assistance from her niece or co-workers when submitting online requirements such as Powerpoint presentations.

“I personally think that teaching in person is more convenient because most of the time, students can understand better face-to-face”, Judith shows concern. It seems that the normal days she looked forward to every time she woke up are long gone.

Before the pandemic, Judith’s cycle is just as typical as anyone would experience-- except that hers has its slight significance. Her day would start with shivers from the cold of morning baths to warmth caused by the sunny smiles of her students and peers. Socialization is what Teacher Judith was used to.

“I don’t only share school lessons, but I also tell life stories”, she states her experience of teaching back when it was still face-to-face classes. Judith proves that a teacher can be influential by making a difference and being a memorable individual to students.

Teacher Judith willfully shows her burning passion for teaching as she continues to strive regardless of what trials and tribulations the new normal has brought upon her. She aches, sometimes breaks, and she makes mistakes, but what stands out is—she knows what it takes.

Lives are connected like threads on loom as the chain of struggles. But, even though faced with peals of doubts, gaze etched above an intricate web below.

by Fritizi Mae Gapuz