After four years of retirement, I am back in the classroom! Well, not as a regular teacher but just a lecturer or should I say a workshop facilitator, for the Arts and Design program of EnzoTech Senior High School in Calatagan, Batangas. It is so nice to be back and teaching young minds and helping them hone their craft. The good thing about it is that I am only teaching twelve Grade 11 students. That is the current number of students in their Arts and Design strand. Hopefully, I can help the program in attracting more students next year. I used to handle at least thirty-nine students and so it is very relaxing! The best thing about it is that these students are scholars of the Zobel Foundation so not only is their interest in the arts solid, they have to keep their scholarship and so seeing their very good outputs make it very fulfilling!
I owe this wonderful experience to my good friend, Henry Magahis, a former colleague at De La Salle Zobel who is now the Principal of the school and Director of the Zobel Foundation. I have known him since he was a fresh graduate and a new teacher at DLSZ.. I have witnessed his growth as a teacher and as an administrator. His ascent to the proverbial “corporate ladder” was almost put on hold when he had a mild stroke last year. I am so relieved that he has regained his health and is definitely back on his feet and doing a very good job at his current position. I see a very bright future ahead of him. Not only does he have what it takes to be at the helm, he seem to have unlock the formula of a good manager, but even more so, as an excellent educator. I am truly lucky to have known him throughout the years!