Long holiday is finally over! On Monday, May 15, Academic Year (AY) 2017 officially opens all over the country. For many Filipinos, this means another year of working and earning a living for their families back home.

Some Filipino teachers have shared their thoughts about the opening of the new school year.

“Well, I really wanted to get back to work since I know I’ll be productive and I miss teaching and seeing my students”, said John Kenzo Dawabi who works as an ICT Instructor in a private school in Ramkhamhaeng.

Another Filipino teacher who has been working as a Science teacher at Assumption College Thonburi for almost 10 years expressed her excitement to see her students again.

“I feel excited to see my students again”, said Rachelle Estrada who works at Assumption College Thonburi. Estrada added that she spent the whole weekend preparing for her lessons.

Those who are working in public schools also gave their five cents.

“Aside from the hangover in a month of pampering and relaxing, I’m personally quite excited to start mentoring students but still i will be challenged again to adopt and to understand their behavior”, said Michael Sacramed. Teacher Michael works in a public school in Sakorn Nakorn, northeast of Thailand.

“I am very excited for the opening of school tomorrow because I will meet 14 class of new students… new students… new behavior… new techniques how to teach and how to get their attention for them to learn”, said Mariz Dinglasan Austria who teaches Mathematics at Pakkred Secondary School in Nonthaburi.

Filipino community leader and President of OFW Quickservants United for Du30 Nelly Palpallatoc also expressed her excitement to see her students again.

“Excited na ma-meet ang mga bata”, said Palpallatoc who works in a Muslim school.

There are about 17,000 Overseas Filipino Workers in Thailand who mostly work as teachers. All the best this coming school year!

Photo courtesy of Rachell Estrada