ILOILO City – “Kon indi ako, sin-o? [If not me, then who?]”
This sentiment has been held by a dedicated teacher at the Special Education (SPED)-Integrated School for Exceptional Children (ISEC) for over 30 years.
Jose Gellang, an alumnus of Central Philippine University – College of Agriculture with a major in Education, could have chosen a different teaching path. However, he found that teaching at SPED was his true “calling” and dedicated himself to it.
Currently, Gellang is handling Grade 5 learners with hearing impairments aged 11 to 16 years old.
“Pagsulod ko diri indi ako kabalo, pero samtang ara ikaw sa sitwasyon nga ginbutang ka, dira ka maka-learn mag-sign language,” said Gellang.
Initially, he relied on written communication but evolved to using sign language, thanks to daily interactions with his students.
But Gellang’s journey wasn’t always smooth. The onset of the global coronavirus pandemic saw his learners grapple with comprehension, especially as the lack of face-to-face classes expanded the learning gap.
“Sang gin-igu sang pandemic, two years kon sa regular nga kabataan ang ila learning gap. Ang ining grupo daku gid ang learning gap kay ngaa? Modular kita, tapos ang ginikanan indi man kabalo mag-senyas,” said Gellang.
Yet, witnessing his learners conquer challenges brought him immense fulfilment.
“Kanami sang feeling nga mabal-an mo nga nakabulig kaw sa ila,” he expressed.
Gellang frequently emphasizes the importance of parents learning sign language to bridge communication gaps.
“Importante ang support, pagpalangga kag magtuon sang pag-senyas kag labaon pa gid ang pasensya sa ila kabataan,” he said.
He also inspires his fellow SPED educators to persist in their noble profession, saying, “Ang reward bala nga ang contentment mo as a teacher indi na sia maislan sang iban nga bagay.”
SPED-ISEC is a Department of Education-managed public school on the corner of General Luna-Mabini Streets in Iloilo City.
It offers classes for multiple intelligence sequence or highly gifted children; learners with intellectual disabilities sequence as autism and down syndrome; children with hearing impaired sequence; visually impaired; junior high school; and senior high school.
SPED-ISEC is headed by officer-in-charge Lory Noquera and Ma. Luz De Los Reyes as superintendent of the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Iloilo City.
Another SPED teacher, Rizalina Condes, has followed her heart for learners with special needs.
Condes is currently a Grade 6 teacher for 17 learners with hearing impairments.
“Nag-volunteer ako sa SPED until na-feel ko nga na-love ko na gid ang pagtudlo sa deaf, that is why pagkapasar ko [Licensure Examination for Teachers], i-assign ako tani sa Calumpang, Molo district. Naghibi ako sa principal kay siling ko, baw, na-love ko na ang deaf,” she said.
A graduate of Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEED), she has been a SPED teacher for over 30 years now.
Condes’ parents insisted on her taking BEED, and after graduating, she prayed for an opportunity to help others. Without experience teaching learners with hearing impairments, she learned sign language in a month.
“As a person nga wala gid experience, makabati ka sang ila tingog makadlaw ka. Pero naghambal sila sa akon nga, ‘okay lang, ma’am, nga mag-smile ka.’ Hambal ko first time ko makabati sang amo na nga voice, pasensyahi lang ninyo ako, siling nila, ‘okay lang, accept na namon,’” Condes recalled her first months in teaching.
She also appreciates her learners who guided her throughout her learning process of sign language.
“One month ang training ko. Pero asta nga nagatudlo na ako kon indi ako kabalo mag-sign language, sila ang nagatudlo sa akon. Bali naga-learn sila sa akon, tapos naga-learn man ako sa ila. Until now, naga-learn ako,” Condes added.
Teaching learners with special needs is not an easy task, Condes admitted; it requires patience.
Although she handles only 17 learners, based on her experience, one learner is equivalent to eight regular learners. And earning their trust is the most challenging.
“Kabudlay i-explain or kuhaon kon ano ang problema nila, kapin pa kon indi ikaw nila trusted, indi na sila maghatag kon ano ang ila feeling,” Condes said.
She also saw how parents, through ways they know, help in their children’s growth as individuals.
To her co-teachers, Condes said, “I-love gid ninyo ang inyo work subong, i-love man ang students nga inyo ma-encounter and love yourself.”
Today, Oct. 5, every teacher’s role in honing and shaping everyone’s future in different fields is celebrated worldwide through World Teachers’ Day.
Noquera, on behalf of SPED-ISEC, thanked the Schools Division Superintendent of Iloilo City for the support.
She also expressed gratitude to all the teachers who have dedicated their lives to this path.
SPED-ISEC in this city has 635 learners, more than 40 teachers and staff, and more or less 40 classrooms.
Among the professionals the school has produced is Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel, who is considered a highly gifted child.
“I know nga gamay lang ini nga eswkelahan, but it has produced and catered to children whose needs are quite different. So, we celebrate Teacher’s Day knowing we are sharing God’s blessing with our learners and allowing them to be better members of society,” said Noquera.
For Noquera, SPED schools are important because they provide a safe place for learners with special needs and a place to better themselves.
“There are parents who deny ang kabataan and indi ma-address sang maayo ang ila pagkinahanglan. Pero diri sa SPED gina-advocate namon nga gamay pa lang mabal-an na kag ma-assess ang kinahanglanon sang kabataan para ma-address naton,” said Noquera./PN
