Both Jeff and Olive were very surprised with their nomination because as far as they are concerned, “it’s part of the job.” Says Olive, "I don't think I excel as a teacher. But one thing is sure...I am always excited to do challenging tasks. I can still remember the advice of Mrs Rodriguez when I was assigned to Henry Wise High School. She told me not to get intimidated by the students but rather focus on the task at hand. The Creation of CRI Program at Wise I found very exciting. I envisioned a program that will help me bring the needs of this special population to the attention of the Prince George's County Public School (PGCPS) officials, and I did. That alone is a reward for me. Despite some frustration along the way, I felt an enormous sense of fulfilment in the end." For Jeff, he said his colleagues recommended him because of the way he did his job. They emphasized that he always went the extra mile, not just for his students who suffered from Autism, but also for the other disabled and non-disabled ones. Unbeknownst to most people, he was given a similar award last year, the Dr Jean Philipps Award given by the Psychological Services of Prince George's County, for what he calls “just doing his job.”
When asked for sources of inspiration in excelling as a teacher in PGCPS, Jeff says "a friend of mine told me back home that whatever your job is - whether you love it or hate it, you need to give it your all. One thing leads to another, so consider it as part of the journey to what God wants or needs you to be. Realize you are there for a purpose, to effect positive change to the students whether in a big or small way, and to give glory to Christ as the source of your being."
Olive dedicates her award to all Arrowhead Filipino teachers. "No amount of dollars can pay for your dedication and hard work, if they come from the heart."
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