Teaching is not a job, but a calling. Teaching encompasses service, vocation, and life mission. And Rosalie Macaspac, an SM Scholar Alumna, has taken to her heart her calling as she chose to pursue a career in Special Education (SPED).
Life’s work
Choosing to teach, especially pursuing SPED, is a path not enough teachers traverse. Out of over 800,000 public school teachers, only about 4,000 are in SPED. And Rosalie is one of the few who took the path. For 21 years now, the SM scholar alumna has dedicated her life to teaching SPED students. She wanted to empower and give special children a voice by advocating the welfare of deaf learners.
Rosalie pursued graduate studies in Special Education at the Philippine National University. And Filipino Sign Language and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
She currently teaches at the Philippine School for the Deaf in Pasay, the only government-owned institution for the deaf in the country. She spearheaded the numeracy skills training program for deaf learners.
Admirable Grit to Greatness
Her journey to becoming an educator was not easy. Her parents separated when she was three years old, and her mother became the breadwinner.
“In the early years of my life as a three-year-old, awareness of how hard life is, became a part of my growing up. I grew up with a mindset that whatever happens, I will not abandon my studies. Sensing my determination, my mother earned a living by washing and ironing the clothes of our neighbors. I came to realize my mom had to wash and press thousands and thousands of clothes so I could finish my studies. But I did not pity myself. Instead, I kept a strong determination to battle on. And promised my mother that she will not grow old and die as a laundry woman,” she said.
She finished primary school with good grades and was a consistent honor student in high school. This was despite having one centavo allowance and rice and coffee as meals. With good standing, she had her mind set on her next goal: going to college.
“Giving up or surrendering wasn’t in my vocabulary. The strong heart of my mother was passed on to me. She was my inspiration to strive to get us out of the predicament we were in,” she stressed.
“When I was in fourth-year high school, I was deep in thought of what to do to support my college education. Then, God in all His goodness stepped in again. The Guidance Office in our school announced that the SM Foundation was offering scholarships for qualified students. I knew at that very moment that He was with me. All I had to do is to apply for the scholarship,” she recalled.
College Scholarship
Rosalie vividly remembers sending her SM College Scholarship program application to the Customer Service of the SM in Quiapo. She learned on May 9, 1995 that she would be interviewed for the scholarship.
She was interviewed in room 214 of the MSE Bldg. The three-digit number 214 has since become unforgettable for her.
By June 1995, Macaspac was among the SM scholars who had started their college education under the scholarship program.
According to Rosalie, the scholarship helped her become a well-rounded individual. It was the key to the realization of her dreams and paved the way to success.
The activities provided by SM Foundation that were very memorable to her were: scholars’ assembly, orientation, leadership training, sports fest, and an annual retreat.
“Looking back, the retreats, monthly meetings, and being able to work in SM as an employee, followed up by our project director boosted my self-esteem. And opened my world to service,” the alumna said.
SM Scholarship Alumna
Prior to teaching, Rosalie first worked as a Merchandise and Planning Control-Clerk at the SM Head Office. She was hired immediately after college.
Working in DepEd has always been her dream, and she is proud of where she is today.
“Since day one of my college days, I aimed to be a public school teacher. I am happy with my work now as a High School Teacher for Deaf learners. I am so privileged that I am in this community and my heart is entwined with my students.”
“I am not ashamed to tell my colleagues that I had a humble beginning. I thank SM Foundation for putting me where I am now. I owe these blessings to SM, Henry “Tatang” Sy, SM Foundation, Ma’am Nilda Bernaldez, and my fellow SM-Scholars. And most especially, my mother. They were instruments to why I chose to give back and dedicate my life to being an effective SPED teacher.”
