My Journey

                                                                                        June 25, 2007

Dear Marketing 100 D students,

    Peace!

    First and foremost, I’d like to congratulate you for making it this far in your education in the ADZU.  Many dream to be where you are….many came but have to go because they were not able to "survive".  Therefore, to be here is a great privilege.  I can only imagine the sacrifices behind your presence in this institution.  Second, my sincerest thanks for not walking out on me last Friday (June 22, 2007).  You could have done that and never will I take it against you but you chose to stay.  That can only mean "respect".  Lastly, my apology for taking most of your time last meeting giving sermon instead of holding a class discussion as stipulated in your course outline.  I hope you can forgive me.

    I am very personal when it comes to handling my class.  It’s not my character to ignore or set aside things that do not conform to a certain standard.  In our case, ADZU’s standard. Yes, all of us are affected by it and whether we like it or not we must abide by it ‘coz if not, just like the experience of others who left ADZU, we will not "survive".  Worst, we will not be happy if we "rebel" against it or we feel that it runs contrary to our personal values.  How you are in my class deeply affects me.  Frustration is the word.  After the first activity, I realized that we are not serious with the learning contract you executed.  The activity was a failure.  Who is to be blamed?  All of us.  It’s not only your fault nor is it only mine.  It takes two to tango.  I was pouring myself on you last meeting because I wanted to find out where I’ve gone wrong in my approach with you.  I thought I was not asking too much from that activity but your response left me wondering.  I might have asked too much from you….The group activity allows you to meet and work with others.  It’s also intended to give you an opportunity to exercise your leadership skills and other talents you have.  It’s a simulation of a specific undertaking in the workplace (in an organization), your "future".  Each course in your program carries with it a training ground to prepare you to be globally competitive the moment you step outside the portal of this university.  How you converse, you actuations, manner of dressing, how you make decisions, you disposition, your writing and speaking skills plus the values of being of service to others–all these are part and parcel of how we train you to be.  You are not going to lose anything if you will give your BEST, right?  But after that activity, until now I am not over it yet.  Out dialogue last time didn’t answer all the questions I have in my mind.

    Up to this very moment, I am waiting for your letter telling me what you want.  How would you want to learn? Do you like to remain in Ateneo?  What hinders you to give your BEST? Are you staying in Marketing 100D?  You have a choice.  All of us do.  I made mine–I am sticking with my Marketing 100D and will give my BEST for the good of my students.  What’s yours?

    May you be able to come up with a reflective decision.

    Pro Deo Et Patria!

                                                                                                            At your service,

                                                                                                           ALELI A. SAAVEDRA
                                                                                                           Instructor

The piece below was presented in the class by Floyd’s group, a summary of the learning contract they drawn……

     And so we’re in Management class
    Willing to give what we must
    Respect towards the rest of us
    The best ideas that we could grasp
    Full cooperation, brilliant opinions
    A hundred percent in time in action
    An effort to its maximum
    We guess we’ll do just an optimum

    And so we’re here in Management class
    Searching inspirations to pass
    Factors that can motivate us
    To have above 90 grades in all our tasks
    The greatest of whom are parents beloved
    And then, our dream ambitions we have
    For scholars, their humble gratitude
    Our teachers toil for righteous fortitude

    And we we’re here in Mgt. class
    Many bad things, we need to stop
    The laziness that hinders us to the right path
    Class absences till we drop
    Prevent ourselves from bad habits to last
    And being always bored, we sat
    We watch out for some illnesses
    Of what we can’t afford

    And so we’re in Mgt. class
    We know we’ll gain so much
    Knowledge about business researching
    A lot more friends than we’ve got
    We’ll hear interesting stories a lot
    Of business success, present and past
    Of course, we want to learn in just
    We pledge, we’ll make no mess
    Promise, we’ll do our best
    And God will do the rest.

     While Floyd was presenting the piece I had goose bumps.  I had so much joy witnessing how talented my students are.  I didn’t require a poem.  All I asked was for a learning contract.  For others, I may be "overreacting" but really I consider this as one of life’s "miracles".  I am handling "business" students and yet I am blessed to have in my class students who share the same thing I like–poem and reflective attitude.

    In this teaching profession, source of my inspiration to continue in the journey is my students.  The "highs" and "lows" I experienced with them makes any endeavor more meaningful.  I just had my first "high".  Even if it will not be repeated what I got is enough to feed my energy….enough to sustain me as I share myself to them….