Exemplary Teacher, Worthless as a Mother and Wife

Abstract

In a public school in the northern part of Iloilo, there is a teacher named Mrs. Lessara. Ma'am Lessara got married at the age of thirty. She married a fellow teacher from the neighbouring town. Her husband can be considered a godsend for her because of his kindness, diligence, thoughtfulness, loving nature, and above all, his faith in God.

It is said that both of them are nearing the age of being left behind in marriage. However, as fate would have it, while they were continuing their studies in "Graduate School" at a prestigious University in the northern part of Iloilo, their paths unexpectedly crossed. For an unknown reason, their long-dormant feelings were suddenly awakened, and their almost barren hearts came back to life. Before long, they were standing in front of the altar, both promising before God and man to become a complete couple. As a result of their love, Ma’am Lessara gave birth to a very healthy baby boy, named Highianisel Tom, which sounds like the international name of Typhoon Yolanda, "Haiyan," because it was only a few days after she gave birth that this typhoon struck.

At the age of one year and two months, another baby girl followed, whom they named Eunaire Rich. Despite having two children who are almost the same age, Ma’am Lessara wholeheartedly fulfils her duties at school. She was assigned to teach two grades, or a multigrade class, the third and fourth grades in their school due to the shortage of teachers. She was also assigned as the Teacher-in-charge of their school and the Multigrade coordinator of the district. She spent almost all her time on her work, teaching, preparing school reports, and sometimes district reports. In providing solutions to problems at school, with fellow teachers, with students, in creating projects, and attending seminars and meetings.

She was admired for her dedication to work. When a district-wide evaluation was conducted in each school, she was recognized as one of the most outstanding and effective teachers in the entire district. Because of the certificate she received, she further increased her diligence in teaching. Sometimes, she would go to bed past midnight after finishing the reports she needed to submit the next day. In addition to this, she also prepares for the classes of two grades for the next day and sometimes takes on tasks assigned by the barangay. Ma’am Lessara is truly an exemplary teacher. However, despite being an exemplary teacher, her irresponsibility as a mother and wife was hidden. It can be said that she merely gave birth to her children and just left them to their nannies.

It's still morning and she's already at school, and it's almost dusk by the time she gets home. Upon arriving home, she would only eat and immediately face her schoolwork that she brought along. It's lucky if she can kiss and carry the children for 20 minutes. After the tasks, due to fatigue and sleepiness, she will sleep in her room while her children are beside their nannies. When they get sick, the doctors always ask why their nanny is always the one with them and where their mother is since its Saturday. Ma'am Lessara is actually attending district meetings.

Once, her nanny called him to buy milk because the children's milk was already gone, and her teacher companion was surprised that she didn't even know about the children's milk and even asked the nanny what she should buy. That's because she always relies on her husband to buy milk and the children's things. When she was in the city and the nanny texted her to buy clothes for the children because their clothes were getting tight, she quickly showed the picture of her children to her colleague and asked what size would fit her children. To make matters worse, when her husband comes home, he is also the one who does the laundry and serves her food. She can't even think of serving her husband, who only comes home on Saturdays and Sundays. He always gets scolded when things don't go her way. She can't even manage to wash the children's bottoms.

As time goes by, her children gradually grow up. One day, it was her eldest child's birthday. Mrs. Lessara tried to lie down next to her eldest child while they were sleeping. But she was greatly shocked when she tried to hug her child, only to be pushed away and hugged by the nanny instead. In the morning, when she was about to leave, she tried to kiss the children, but they would only kiss her when she gave them money. If there isn't any, they would run away from her. The children of Ma’am Lessara are really very distant from her. It became even more noticeable when, every time, the children would constantly say the word "Papa" even though they only saw him once a week. Whenever they hear the sound of their father's approaching motorcycle, they immediately shout "Dad is here" and run to greet him. But when Ma'am Lessara arrives, even if the children are right in front of her, it's as if nothing happened, unless she has a gift or money to give.

Ma’am Lessara was deeply saddened when she realized her shortcomings towards her children and husband. Sometimes, he would tell her, "You, you have no time for your family anymore. “It seems like you've forgotten us, just to fulfil your job." Even though her husband understood, he still held a grudge against her. Mrs. Lessara just cried and thought that it wasn't too late. He can still catch up to make amends and fill the gaps in her duties to her husband and child. She told herself that she should be fair to both work and family because it is very painful to be a stranger to her own children and husband.