Lessons from My Pupils… and Counting

(For my class – Gr 5 Simplicity)

Victory isn’t luck; it is earned and gained.

I thought it would be me guiding my pupils all throughout the week-long sports fest; it turned out the other way around.

Divine Light Academy’s most-awaited event, Palaro 2012-2013, took place last Feb. 4-8, 2013. And it really was fun. I had thought of it as a mere bonding time with my pupils, but my advisory class had shown me things I never really took notice of.

Two days before the opening, we scheduled a 3-hour practice in whatever sports they were assigned to compete for. Everyone was eager enough to prepare that they arrived in their full sports attire. (You should have seen them!) And yes, it was a fun morning for all of us.

Then the opening came; I was as excited as they were. I was wearing my class’ official jersey. Wearing a bright smile on our faces, we headed off to the parade. The program that followed was more than what we expected. Everyone was really set into high energy level. Cheers filled the gymnasium as the words “Let the games begin!” were heard.

“Great!” My class exclaimed as a pupil of mine won the Table Tennis Competition (Boys' Singles) an hour after the opening. I told them it was a good start. No sooner when I learned that my pupils won the Table Tennis Competition (Boys' Doubles). Another win! To top the day, we won in the Basketball game against another section in Grade 5. Lucky start, right?

The wins continued until Thursday, one after the other, some bringing the name of the level for the intermediate competition. And every day, I had become fonder of them, for their intelligences made them rise among the rest.

We also met a few losses. Those losses taught them many things, and I was just behind them watching them process their emotions, with them helping each other rise, and encouraging each other to give more of themselves. True enough, their hard labor paid off when we received more medals than the rest; I being the adviser had to come on stage so often to accompany them in reaping the fruits of their hard work.

How did we arrive to that victorious path? As I have mentioned a moment ago, what lessons did my pupils teach me?

1. Perseverance - We practiced not just once, but thrice. They never thought of their aching bodies. Instead, they readily said “Yes” whenever I told them to go back to Belcrest’s covered court for a practice. And whenever they did this, I couldn’t help but smile because it always made me believe of their sure win.

2. Determination – Remember the practices? Who were with us? Their equally supportive parents. From whom did they get their skills? From them, of course. And they made themselves available to train my pupils, and the result was so much victory.

3. Humility – During the times of their victories, they remained humble. They never boasted of their skill. They accepted their defeat, and instead became all the more motivated to win the next game. I have always known their skill, but they humbly listened to the techniques taught by our parent trainer.

4. Patience – They knew how it is to labor just to master a technique, or a skill. They knew how it is to let some of their not-so-good classmates play without insulting them. They knew how it is to strategize, to understand each other’s differences, and to accept each other’s weaknesses.

5. FAITH – It was my first time to see a team that never failed to pray before the start of every game. (Remember, these are Grade 5 pupils.) And I am so happy to say that my team strongly believes in God. Every game was played well. Nobody played better; it was always their best. Every prayer time, I would let them pray and talk to God, with me smiling and silently listening to the humble request they ask from God.

“Lord, sana po walang ma-injure. Lord, sana po galingan pa po namin para manalo kami. Lord, kayo na po bahala sa amin. Amen.”

(Lord, may no one be injured. Lord, may we give more of our best so we will win. Lord, we offer ourselves to you. Amen.)

This is always followed by our team signature. We stretch our right hand together to the center, then count “1, 2, 3”…. and shout “THUNDERS!” (our team’s name). And that had been our routine even after the end of the awarding ceremony.

My cherished pupils went home victorious. We celebrated joyfully, for every win was a product of hard work and trust on God. They savored the fruits of their labor. Our class’ success was theirs, a result of teamwork, strong fighting spirit, perseverance, and determination. They had taught me many things. And I am still counting for more lessons from them.

PS. My dear friends in the academe, keep showing good examples to the learners entrusted to your hands. Their eyes are on you, and they learn best by example. My secret? I celebrate every little victory with them. We make sure that we don’t just recite the Lord’s Prayer and instead, we individually offer a spontaneous prayer, to train them to pray from their heart, using their own words and feeling the real essence of prayer. Be with them, stand for them, be a parent and a friend, be their confidante, and be their angel. Your influence on them will be manifested until eternity.