When parents think of their child’s future success, they often think it has something to do with high IQ and excellent academic performance. But as many studies and experts have said, having good grades is not the only way a child will excel in life.
This is the kind of mindset that Jimuel Diva, a public school teacher from Bayugan National Comprehensive High School in the Caraga region, wants to impart to his students. In 2016, he founded READshirts Advocacy, a community-based tutoring group that aims to help children who have difficulties in reading and comprehension.
PHOTO Courtesy of Jimuel Diva
In an interview with Summit Original Videos, Jimuel shares that he was motivated to put up the advocacy group because of his personal experience — as a child, he had to repeat Grade 1 because he did not know how to read. Luckily, he was able to receive help from a friend.
“Meron akong kaibigan, every afternoon, tinuturuan niya akong magbasa,” he shares.
Jimuel never forgot this act of kindness. After becoming a teacher, he thought he could pay it forward by helping young learners to find their passion for books and reading.
“Sa teaching, we are more [concerned] with how to read a certain word. We tend to forget the ‘What’ and ‘Why.’ ‘What motivates them to read’ saka ‘Why they need to read,” Jimuel says.
“Every time na nakikita ko ‘yung mga bata na nahihirapan magbasa, naaalala ko ‘yung sarili ko noon. Gusto ko na ‘di na ‘yun mangyari pa [sa iba],” he adds.
Through his experiences and through READshirts, he wants to inspire children and help them realize that even if they are facing learning difficulties now, it doesn’t mean all is lost. They can still succeed in life and pursue their dreams — they just need to work hard and learn how to accept help from others.
“Huwag maging reluctant, huwag dapat mahiya sa mga bagay na gustong itulong sa’yo. That will help you in the future so you can become whoever you want to be,” he says.
Watch Teacher Jimuel’s heartwarming video below and find out how you can help the #HeroTeacher campaign and support his initiative.
Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) teams up with Smart Parenting to shine a spotlight on teachers who go the extra mile. For every #HeroTeacher featured in Smart Parenting #eskwela2020 video series, GBF pledges P15,000 donation in kind.
You can also nominate a #HeroTeacher! Just go to this link and fill out the form: https://bit.ly/NominateAHeroTeacher. Meet our #HeroTeachers! Read their stories here.
This story originally appeared on SmartParenting.com.ph. Minor edits have been made by Gokongwei Brothers Foundation.