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Mentored by excellence, an Ilongga teacher wins
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“In high school, I wanted to be a chemical engineer like my male cousin who was a manager of a sugar central in Bacolod. Being a manager of a company was such a big deal then. My parents discouraged me because they thought that chemical engineering was not a course for women. My parents were a product of their generation; gender advocacy had yet to take form during their time.”
This was how Dr. Diana Sillador-Aure responded when asked if she had always wanted to be a teacher. Dr. Aure is this year's winner of the Metrobank Search for Outstanding Teachers in the secondary level category. She is a faculty member at the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo.
Chemical engineering's loss became education's gain. Dr. Aure enrolled instead, in a BS Math program which, unfortunately at that time, was not completely offered at UP Iloilo College in the 1960s. So she opted for BS Education majoring in physical sciences with math, chemistry and physics emphasis.
Perhaps it was really her destiny to become a teacher. So much so that when she graduated with her BSE degree from UP College Iloilo, her teachers at the Bacolod City High School, where she graduated valedictorian, urged her to teach in her alma mater. It was at BCHS, one of the few noted, excellent public schools that had a pilot class for science, that she got the teaching bug.
“At Bacolod City High School, I came to realize how much my teachers did for us [students]. We were always joining and winning competitions in Math even with contenders from other schools in the city. We won because of our teachers. They would go to great lengths to prepare us. I remember one teacher, Miss Takahara who would have us stay at her house and sleep over to continue with our review, even on Saturdays. My teachers were very, very dedicated. They had a passion for excellence.”
Mentored by excellence, Dr. Aure said that she cannot help but give the same quality of teaching to her students.
“I did the same for my students when I taught at Bacolod City High School – reviewing for the quizzes in math, science and chemistry, and doing science projects with them. It paid off because our students made good in the division and regional levels, and even figured in the national level.”
In 1972, Dr. Aure joined the teaching corps of the UPHSI as a substitute instructor, teaching general science and math subjects. As one who believes that a good teacher should always look for ways to improve her capability to teach, she enrolled in a master's program in math at UP Diliman in 1978. The sweet reward for earning her graduate degree was being promoted as assistant professor and having her temporary appointment changed to one with a permanent tenure. She also started accepting administrative posts such as Secretary of the UPV Graduate School, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Director of the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas, Chairperson of the Division of Professional Education and OIC Dean of UPV Tacloban College.
In 1987, Dr. Aure went back to UP Diliman for a PhD in Science Education major in Math. At present she is the Director of UPV's Graduate Program Office.
Thirty-six years of teaching, three at the BCHS and 33 at UPHSI has not dimmed her passion to teach with excellence in the classroom.
“I think it's because I like my job. I enjoy teaching and I also have a happy disposition. I am excited in meeting my students and teaching them. I look at the positive side of life. Even if my students have difficulty learning the lessons, I look for solutions on how to help. This is probably because I am a Math teacher; I am solution-oriented. When something goes wrong, at the back of my mind, I would think, there is always a solution.”
Thirty-six years into the profession rewarded for outstanding performance by Metrobank. How does she feel about this most prestigious award for a teacher like her?
“Personally, the award is a source of self-fulfillment for me. On the other hand, it is also a humbling experience. It is because, out there, there are many teachers who are equally deserving but may have not been given the opportunity to have this recognition. They prefer to work in silence. They deserve the same award.”
To the Metrobank Foundation, this is what she has to say:
“I truly, truly appreciate this recognition. I thank you for this award and for honoring all the teachers. For having honored me, you have also honored my colleagues. I am merely representing them. Thank you for inspiring us and challenging us to do better and to really make a difference in the lives of our youth. Thank you for giving me this wonderful, memorable experience.”
In return, Dr. Aure says that as a faculty member at UPHSI she will try to motivate and inspire her colleagues to be a Metrobank Outstanding Teacher nominee because, “I believe that every faculty member at UPHSI is a potential nominee, considering their different qualities and qualifications.”
She also adds that she will promote the search not just in UPHSI but probably to the rest of the teachers in Iloilo or Region VI.
“I will try to provide inspiration and motivation for them to do better, to continue to learn, to gain new insights and perspectives in teaching, and to lead lives which are within the values prescribed by Metrobank. Who knows, they may also have the chance to be a winner.”
In August 30, Dr. Aure, together with the other Metrobank 2005 Outstanding Teacher awardees, will receive their gold medallions from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during a reception at the Malacañan Palace. The formal awarding ceremonies will be held at the Metrobank Plaza on September 2 as the highlight of the company's 43rd anniversary celebration.
What would life be like beyond the Metrobank award?
“I will go on with my teacher training programs. I'm very much involved with that and of course teach at the UP high school.”
“Life in UP is full of choices. You can choose to do your work well. You can choose to transcend yourself and be the best in what you do. You can continue to teach and learn and model excellence, morality and integrity. These are really the values that Metrobank emphasizes for a teacher.”
