31/10/2025
GREATER THAN GRADES: TEACHERS STORIES | PANSPERMIA
โBy Aljane Venice Dalin
The universe is a reflection of oneself.
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From the planet that houses life, to the stars that burn brighter by the second, and even to the vast void that reaches infinitely. The universe, ever growing and uncharted, is littered with anomalies, and with the distinctive nature of humans, they are bound to find themselves in its celestial bodies.
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Teachers are best described as the foundation of everything, like the universe. Knowledge dating back years and beyond is bridged by their lessons connecting them to their eager learners. Time is blurred in the face of curiosity; all that matters is that the learners are here now, and teachers are ready to satiate their desire for knowledge. One teacher in particular, however, finds herself not in the blanket that connects and envelopes the world, but rather in asteroids.
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Maโam Melalaine B. Austria is a beloved teacher in QCSHS, best known for her sunny disposition and world-actualizing lessons. She keeps her students especially grounded to reality and their curiosity as a means of shaping inclined pupils. She graduated from Maligaya High School as valedictorian and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education, majoring in Science, at the University of Caloocan City.
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โBecoming a teacher wasnโt part of my original plan.โ The path of an asteroid can be unpredictable. Due to financial difficulties that her family faced, the possibility of pursuing college seemed out of reach. In spite of this, Maโam Austria braved through this ceaseless void backed by the belief instilled upon her by her high school teachers, โeducation is the key to overcoming poverty and is something no one can ever take away from us.โ Upon her acceptance at UCC, she immediately enrolled. At first, her choice of course was unclear, but she eventually settled on a BSE major in Science, as it was one of the university's priority programs.
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โI had my first teaching experience in various colleges through an opportunity given to my batchmates and me while we were waiting for our teaching licenses.โ Maโam Austria was part of Rescue 177, a non-governmental organization where she taught the National Service Training Program (NSTP) in partner schools, universities, and colleges. After passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers, she was hired at Little Merry Hearts Montessori Center and eventually found her way at QCSHS.
Fast forward to this school year, Ma'am Austria was awarded the title of the most outstanding teacher. โI feel overjoyed and accomplished, and at the same time, validated. The process may seem simple and fast, but the requirements are actually tedious and truly measure how we are doing as teachers.โ
โMore than anything, I also feel a sense of pressure. Being a teacher in QueSci is already a great responsibility; being recognized as the Most Outstanding Teacher makes that responsibility even heavier. But it also inspires me to continue doing my best for my students and the school.โ She also adds that she believes that there are manyโif not allโteachers in QueSci are deserving of the title as well.
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โLike an asteroid, my contributions to each of my students may be small, but I believe they are meaningful. Each lesson, encouragement, or shared moment adds to who they become โ small fragments that help shape a greater whole.โ There is a theory that suggests life came from other celestial objects, like asteroids. This hypothesis is called panspermia. It is said that life is not unique to one planet, but is rather spread through the cosmos.
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Maโam Austria is an asteroid. โNot too big, irregular in shape, and with no definite compositionโ, and perhaps this is exactly what makes her effective in her service. Paving her way in the sea of all these celestial bodies: planets, stars, and fellow asteroids, it is clear that whoever she may collide with and wherever her unpredictable orbit may take her, it will never change this one thing. That she is here to bring lifeโthat she is here to teach, and for all the students who continue to adore her, that has made all the difference.
