• A.V. DEL CARMEN
About six decades ago, a movie and its theme song became instant hits all over the world.
The movie, “To Sir, with Love” (which had the same title for its song), was about a colored young engineer who ended up teaching in a school notoriously known for its problem students.
The teacher did all the creative things he could to win the students’ respect and trust but was hardly gaining them until a major conflict took place that made him decide to quit, especially after learning he was getting his dream job as an engineer.
A tour de force, however, took place that made him realize that, after all, the life lessons he had taught the students were chipping into their stream of consciousness, leading the class to pen “To Sir, with Love” on the card of their goodbye gift.
Fast forward, at Pilar Elementary School in Hinigaran, under the leadership of Principal Josephine Monotilla.
The characters in the movie are far different – they are fourth graders and are not problem kids. They are lighthearted, young potential problem solvers, who are also on the receiving end of their mentor’s dedication and care.
The Pilar storyline this time is themed around “From Sir, with Love.”
Their “Sir” is Sean John Piornato, 26, a cum laude graduate (Bachelor’s Degree of Elementary Education, Class 2018) of Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Binalbagan.
“I’m still on my fourth year of service as a teacher, including a stint with a private school,” he said.
He recalled that it has been his prayer and pledge that he would take good care of his pupils if he would earn a teaching slot in the public school system, a dream he realized when he started teaching in 2022 at Pilar, his home barangay. “I have been blessed I was assigned in my own place,” he said.
Right after he got the Pilar job, he said, he started thinking of ways to help motivate the learners to be interested in their lesson, especially that he was assigned to handle a Math subject in his first year of teaching there.
Sir Sean has been treating learners in his class as part of his motivation strategy. The last time he did it was right after their first quarter exam on Sept. 24.The treat consisted of biscuits, juice and hamburgers which were distributed to all his 28 pupils in the Grade 4-Pearl Section.
“I could feel the happiness of the children while they were enjoying their snacks,” Sir Sean said, adding: “Seeing a 9- year-old kid smiling and saying ‘thank you’ was pure joy and, without a doubt, no money can buy the feeling that I experience…”
He also offered a modest cash incentive to anyone who would obtain a perfect score in the exam. Last Christmas he brought joy to his 35 pupils by giving them kiddies’ watches as gifts.
I treat them like my own children, so I take good care of them as I had earlier promised in my prayer to the Lord, he said.
At the same time, he is honing the writing skills of Pilar learners as he is the adviser of “The Pillar”, the school paper. At the Division Schools Press Conference last year, nine of the 16 staff members landed in the Top 10, with four of them advancing to the regional competition.
On Teacher’s Day, Sir Sean, who considers it a special occasion dedicated to his pupils, asked them to show more efforts in their class performance instead of giving him material presents. To buy gifts for me means another expense on the part of their family, he said.
As a teacher, he added, he considers the occasion “just a normal day for me. I only wanted to go home early and take a rest at home especially that I always go home late at night because of some school and related works.”
Asked what makes him happy as a teacher, his answer was quick:
“I can write a 40-page article if I will share my 100% impression of being a happy teacher but I think what makes me happy is seeing that every child has a pure dream and is thinking of a peaceful and kind society and it is on us, teachers, to help them weave their dreams and be an instrument for a serene and productive future.”
Sir Sean is hoping that the small things he does for his class he can inspire fellow teachers to find more effective ways to motivate their students, create a change and spread positivity through small actions as he reiterated his pledge: “I will continue to help my learners and be motivated in any form that I can do.”
For this Pilar mentor, the ‘From Sir, with Love’ true story continues. | AVDC
