SM scholar-alumna takes the road less travelled

Teaching surpasses the realms of jobs or professions–it encompasses service, vocation, and life mission. 

Proving this day and night are millions of Filipino teachers who stand as second mothers to students. One of them is Rosalie Macaspac, an SM scholar alumna who chose to pursue a career in Special Education (SPED).

Life’s work

Choosing to teach, especially pursue SPED, is a path less travelled. Out of over 800,000 public school teachers, only about 4,000 are in SPED, and Rosalie is one of the few who took the path. For 21 years now, the SM scholar alumna has dedicated her life to teaching SPED students. She wanted to empower and give special children a voice by advocating the welfare of deaf learners.

Rosalie Macaspac (left) interprets the contents of the program for her students.

With much dedication and determination to have the right skills for her students, she pursued graduate studies in special education and Filipino sign language at the Philippine National University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, respectively. 

She currently teaches at the Philippine School for the Deaf in Pasay, the only government-owned institution for the deaf in the country. Here, she spearheaded the numeracy skills training program for deaf learners.

Embedding grit, greatness

Her journey to becoming an educator was not easy. Her parents separated when she was three years old, and her mother became the breadwinner. 

“In the early years of my life as a three year old, awareness of how hard life is became a part of my growing up. I grew up with a mindset that whatever happens, I will not abandon my studies. Sensing my determination, my mother earned a living by washing and ironing clothes of our neighbors. I came to realize my mom had to wash and press thousands and thousands of clothes so I could finish my studies. But I did not pity myself. Instead, I kept a strong determination to battle on and promised my mother that she will not grow old and die as a laundry woman,” she said.

The weight on their shoulder became heavier when her mother became bedridden for half a year. Instead of slowing her down, it did the opposite. She continued her studies with much determination. With the help of her uncle, the Missionaries of Charity, and the puto bigas she sold, they could get by. 

She finished primary school with good grades, and was a consistent honor student in high school, despite having one centavo allowance and rice and coffee as meals. With good standing, she had her mind set on her next goal: going to college.

“Giving up or surrendering wasn’t in my vocabulary. The strong heart of my mother was passed on to me as she was my inspiration to strive to get us out of the predicament we were in,” she stressed.

“When I was in fourth year high school, I was deep in thought of what to do to support my college education.  Then, God in all His goodness, stepped in again. The Guidance Office in our school announced that the SM Foundation was offering scholarships for qualified students. I knew at that very moment that He was with me. All I had to do is to apply for the scholarship,” she recalled.

Rosalie (fifth from left) and her fellow scholar alumni take a photo with SMIC Executive Director Harley Sy (third from left)

She vividly remembers sending her SM College Scholarship program application at the Customer Service of the SM in Quiapo and how she learned on May 9, 1995 that she would be interviewed for the scholarship in room 214 of the MSE Bldg. The three-digit number has since become unforgettable for her. By June 1995, Macaspac was among the SM scholars who had started their college education under the scholarship program.

According to her, the scholarship helped her become a well-rounded individual. It was the key to the realization of her dreams and paved the way to success. The activities provided by SM Foundation, such as the scholars’ assembly, the orientation, leadership training, sports fest and annual retreat, were very memorable for her.

“Looking back, the retreats, monthly meetings and being able to work in SM as an employee, followed up by our project director boosted my self-esteem and opened my world to service,” she said.

Rosalie at the Philippine School for the Deaf

Before teaching, she first worked as a Merchandise and Planning Control-Clerk at the SM Head Office, which was then located in Calle Echague, Manila. She was hired immediately after college.

Working in DepEd has always been her dream, and she is proud of where she is today: “Since day one of my college days, I aimed to be a public-school teacher. I am happy with my work now as a High School Teacher for Deaf learners. I am so privileged that I am in this community and my heart is entwined with my students.”  

“I am not ashamed to tell my colleagues that I had a humble beginning and I thank SM Foundation for putting me where I am now. I owe these blessings to SM, Henry “Tatang” Sy, SM Foundation, Ma’am Nilda Bernaldez, and my fellow SM-Scholars, most especially, my mother. They are all the instruments to why I chose to give back to a special community and dedicate my life to being an effective SPED teacher.”

14 Comments

  1. I was very pleased to uncover this great site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new information on your blog.

  2. Melanialrpu

    Здравствуйте дамы и господа! https://r-notebook.ru/
    Сервисный центр «Р-Ноутбук» оказывает услуги по ремонту техники на дому и в мастерской в Москве. Обращайтесь к нам, если ноутбук вышел из строя – перестал запускаться, выдает ошибки, зависает и тормозит или показывает синий экран. В комплекс услуг компании входит ремонт, апгрейд, чистка игровых, профессиональных ноутбуков, а также ультрабуков. Мы работаем с техникой разных брендов и моделей.В нашей команде – только опытные сотрудники, которые легко справляются даже со сложными задачами. Специалисты со стажем от 5 лет оперативно и качественно устранят программные и аппаратные неисправности с использованием оригинальных компонентов. У нас – собственный склад брендовых комплектующих, которые мы используем для замены. Поэтому искать и заказывать запчасти не понадобится. Подробная информация об услугах сервиса – на сайте https://r-notebook.ru/. Обращайтесь!
    Хорошего дня!

  3. Melanialejh

    Приветствую Вас уважаемые! https://xn—-7sbbg6amewvp4d.xn--p1ai/
    Одной из наиболее востребованных автомобильных марок в России является китайская Джили. Производитель предлагает достаточно надежные авто и запчасти к ним по низким ценам. На динамике продаж сказывается и тот факт, что корпорация Джили вкладывает значительные средства в развитие своих технологий, делая свою продукцию еще более конкурентоспособной.
    китайские запчасти
    корейские запчасти
    Увидимся!

  4. Karlosrze

    Приветствую Вас господа!
    например вот
    Данное исследование фокусируется на дешевых криптовалютах с потенциалом роста, включает в себя анализ стратегий выбора перспективных проектов, рассмотрение рисков и рекомендации по безопасному инвестированию. Этот обзор дает понятное представление о сегменте недооцененных цифровых валют.
    Хорошего дня!

  5. Melanialsax

    Доброго часу доби друзі! black friday

    Термін “Чорна п’ятниця” вперше з’явився у Філадельфії і означав сильні пробки на дорогах у п’ятницю після Дня подяки. Сучасне трактування цього терміна в англійській мові більш позитивне – пов’язане з ідіомою «in the black» (тобто «позитивний баланс», на противагу «in the red»), маючи на увазі що багато продавців «вийдуть в плюс» у цей день.

  6. Melanialjix

    Доброго часу доби друзі! aliexpress

    AliExpress є глобальним віртуальним торговим майданчиком, що надає можливість купувати товари виробників з КНР, а також Європи, Туреччини та інших країн. Товари на майданчику продаються в роздріб та дрібним оптом (на відміну від оптової Alibaba). Платформа не працює в КНР – там її замінює Taobao.Сайт AliExpress в даний час доступний російською, англійською, іспанською, нідерландською, французькою, італійською, польською, арабською та португальською мовами (інформація про товари автоматично перекладається різними мовами). Клієнти поза межами країн для цих мов автоматично обслуговуються на англійській версії сайту.

  7. Melanialwva

    Добрый день господа! ЗАЩИЩЕННЫЙ ХОСТИНГ

    Мы не просто регистрируем больше белорусских доменов, чем кто бы то ни было. В 2014 году мы запустили зону .БЕЛ. Сегодня она является вторым в мире кириллическим доменом по количеству зарегистрированных имен.
    От всей души Вам всех благ!

  8. Melanialdrv

    Доброго времени суток дамы и господа! SEO-аудит сайта

    Провайдер со 100 000 клиентов.Мы никогда не писали высокую миссию и кредо компании. Мы просто делаем так, чтобы ваши проекты работали. И делаем это хорошо.
    Хорошего дня!

Leave a Reply to Crypto casino Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.