Teaching is a noble profession as a quote says and as the State entails the teachers as major part of the education system. No one can question the role played by teachers in the society. The time they spend in school and at the end of the day, bring home their school works. One of the tasks of a teacher is to stand firm and upright in his/her decisions so the students can look after his/her as a role model. However, do not go beyond his/her capabilities, strengths and weaknesses and accept the reality that at times he/she has a heart and a mind to mingle within his own self.

The effort of holding high the morale and dignity of the young minds is neither easy as ABC nor 123. Teacher’s self-empowerment to fight hostility within them and with the society takes a strong effort and courage. Teachers, too, cross the bridge of urbanism, self-reliance and self-confidence in their chosen profession. They must not be left behind by their students. Though the students changes every year, they never get aged inside the classroom! However, from a young and ideal teacher as I started teaching, through years, I aged. I started to leave my teaching materials in school, and deliver my lessons in a repetitive manner that everything I say comes from the lesson plans I had prepared two years ago. Yes, that is true! That is because I trust my stock knowledge and I think it will not quit off from me. I forgot to look at my students, sitting in teary eyes because of sleepiness in the manner I deliver the topic for the day. With all my effort everyday I felt exhausted at the end of the day and wanted to push the time and the remaining hours of stay in school to come to an end.

Despite that, I have no doubt that I wanted this career at my young age. But it is also true that I need to accept the reality that my students need something more than I can offer to them. I want them to enjoy their stay in school as I enjoy my high school days long time ago. I want them to remember me in the future as an energetic and enthusiast teacher never runs a story to tell and activities to perform in their chemistry class as they learn the balancing equations, chemical formulas and the mathematical operations for chemistry. Before my love and passion of teaching fades, I encourage myself to attend several invitation workshops, seminars and trainings that I believed will uplift my audacity for teaching. One of which is the FUSE invitation in April 2005 and October 2008. Two different years, different presenters, and different techniques I had encountered and learned. At first, what is in my mind is what will these people (I am referring to the presenters and staff, and founders) bring to us as classroom teachers, something new perhaps. There it came, the first presenter discussing all about the objectives of the two day seminar. Hmmm… it sounded interesting. I remember, Ms. Evelyn Ibuyan welcomed us through an activity in chemistry using colored solution and dermatograph pen. It was followed by different stories that allowed the tears of the participants to flow and laugh at times. The second time I met her, I learned another activity that involved “magic” in the eyes of my students when I brought it in my classroom. Now, I see my students laughing and talking. I discover that video clips and other video materials can be use as part of my lesson and not the entire lesson itself.

Founded by Dr. Lucio C. Tan on December 1, 1994, FUSE seeks to improve the skills in English, Science and Mathematics teachers. Its programs include regular teacher training workshops; a post-graduate scholarship program for Science and Engineering teachers; production and distribution of telecourses in English, Elementary Science, Chemistry, Physics and Math; and a host of other educational programs in partnership with government and private learning institutions.