An elementary teacher, Ismail Mohamad Dimasangcay, a 26-year-old from Sominot (Don Mariano Marcos), Zamboanga del Sur, and a Grade 1 teacher at Datagan Elementary School, brought joy to netizens with his post on social media.
In his Facebook post on October 4, Teacher Ismail, who has been teaching Grade 1 for four years, proudly shared the gifts he received from his students—a chicken and ingredients for cooking tinola.
Photo courtesy: Ismail Mohamad Dimasangcay (FB)
This celebration is part of their school’s observance, along with other schools around the world, in relation to World Teachers’ Day.
In an interview, the teacher said he couldn’t believe what he received. The ingredients for tinola were given to him by the sibling of one of his former students. This, he said, was a gesture of gratitude for him.
“Ang manok po ay bigay sa akin ng isang Subanen learner… Grade 1 pupil ko po,” he said.
“Nagulat po ako sa regalo at masayang-masaya sabay pagpapasalamat sa napakamakabuluhang regalo na aking natanggap po.”
“Sinabi niya na nagpapasalamat din ang kaniyang mga magulang dahil naging guro ako ng kuya niya noon. Masaya sila sa mga sakripisyo at pagsusumikap sa pagtuturo kahit malayo ang paaralan.”
“Masaya rin ang aking estudyante na ibinigay sa akin ang manok dahil daw po sa kabaitan ko…. Natawa rin po ako kasi kasabay ng pagbigay sa akin ng manok ay may tanglad (lemon grass) na kasama, kasi pwede ko raw gawing tinola ang manok,” he added.
Photo courtesy: Ismail Mohamad Dimasangcay (FB)
He added that instead of slaughtering and cooking the chicken, he decided to take care of it and even breed it.
Celebrating World Teachers’ Day is important because it honors the vital role that teachers play in shaping the future of individuals and society. Teachers are key to nurturing the intellectual, emotional, and social development of students, and their work extends far beyond just delivering lessons.
They inspire, mentor, and guide young minds, influencing not only academic success but also character development and life skills.
World Teachers’ Day serves as a reminder of the challenges educators face, the dedication required in their profession, and the need for better support and recognition. It helps raise awareness about the importance of investing in quality education, improving working conditions, and ensuring teachers have the resources and respect they need to do their jobs effectively.
Ultimately, celebrating this day helps recognize the crucial contributions teachers make to fostering a more educated, compassionate, and progressive world.
