MARIA: Your Life Matters

Chapter 1: Maria and Her Students

For my GAStronomy family 💃

It is Monday. The sun has not shone in the east yet Maria has begun her morning routine because as what Joseph Addison wrote in The Tatler, "reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body". Simple stretching at the terrace while the cool breeze touches her skin. As the family alarm rang by 5 o'clock, Maria began to get ready to go to the academy. She ate her breakfast, took her lunch - prepared at 4 in the morning - and set off after preparing the rest. It was still early quarter to six when she arrived in the faculty office and went to visit the academy chapel. A silent prayer and a busy day ahead is a better morning routine.

"Good morning class! How are you?" she merrily greeted her students as she went towards the table and laid down her portfolios.

"Good morning, Ms. Martinez! We're all doing fine, ma'am," they answered as they stood up from their seats.

She did the routine checking of attendance and was glad that on the seventieth day of the school year, all her students were present and on time! She gave off that radiant smile and encouraged her students to enjoy their subject.

"That's good. Now, please get your books and flip them to page 101. We will be tackling about subject and verb agreement. Let's begin," she instructed. That's how her morning usually goes, instructions and enjoying teaching and disciplining students in one of the prestigious private schools in town. Although she has a different perspective of discipline.

When it was already breaktime, she released them and headed towards the speech laboratory for the next class. She checked the cubicles and set the mic. Once everything was set, she set up the presentation on the projector as students waited outside the laboratory.

She hurried out to greet them and gave off a cheerful smile. "Remember to leave your shoes in your own rack and wear your foot socks. To remind you and I'm sorry to say that without your foot socks you cannot get inside the class as per protocol. Did the class president jot down the names of those students who may not have followed the policy?" she successively instructed and asked.

"Yes, I did, Ms. Martinez," said a pretty girl with wavy long hair held in a ponytail. She held out a piece of paper and went back to her place in the line.

"Thank you Pearl," she said and read the names listed on the paper.

"You're welcome Ms. Martinez," replied the girl. "Those in the list, are they here?" she asked.

"No ma'am. They didn't come to class anymore," said a petite girl, who was second in line.

Maria felt disappointed and a bit sad, but she won't let this ruin her morning. "I see. Thank you, Sam. Everyone may get in already," she said.

"Okie-dokie!" Sam answered cheerfully. Maria let out a silent sigh and went on with the lesson.
After the class was settled and the lessons were taught, she asked the class if they were up for a short feedbacking before the recess. The students were a bit hesitant as some wanted to have their meals already, but many still agreed to it.

"It's about the speech lab policy. Perhaps, you may have your own suggestions or reactions about it. I want you to exercise your democratic rights inside this room," said Maria. She really wanted all of her students to graduate. She wanted to inspire them and encourage them to finish their studies and pursue their dreams as it is what she also wants for herself. It is said that you should "love your neighbor as you love yourself." She's determined to do her part in any way she could.

"I know that you may have your own opinions about it. Don't worry. Whatever we'd talk about in here remains in the four corners of this room," she encouraged them to speak out and to keep the short talk to themselves for privacy purposes, and so the students will feel at ease to speak up.