The Partido Mission Academy is a learning institution that truly makes a difference. As I was preparing this talk, I asked myself, why did I prefer PMA education over other learning institutions in Sangay and Tigaon for my precious sons to pursue junior Highschool? My heart said, because you are after for the so called " Christian Education. "
It has been my attitude ever since I let go of my children to attend regular schooling to basically investigate (quote unquote ) the learning institution from the school facilities, to the teaching curriculum and the credibility as well as the competencies of teachers. All of my three children were products of homeschooling education under the Master"s Academy with my eldest as the most benefitted of them all from preschooler to Grade IV. Letting them go under my care was difficult so I ensure that the learning Institution that I will entrust them will live up to our family’s expectations, to our family’s vision, mission and core values.
With 2 years of being with the Partido Mission Academy, I can sum up my experience with the three letter word, P.M.A.
P for me stands for PRAYERFUL. This strikes me the most. I have observed that PMA as an institution highly regard prayer as a way of life. My son told me that they open the session everyday with a prayer. I believe prayer as a way of life changes everything. As my favorite adage goes on, a lot of kneeling will lead you to a good standing. On top of that, they have mid-week service every Wednesday afternoon where they would spend time praying and learning God’s words in the scripture. Motivational speakers are oftentimes invited for this event. So P is for PRAYERFUL. PMA is PRAYERFUL as a learning institution.
The letter M stands for MISSION-ORIENTED.I believe that developing the fullest potential of a person must start from his awareness of his life’s vision and mission statement, particularly for young people with full of life, vigor, zest and spirit. The necessity for them to fully comprehend the purpose of their existence, the dream that they want to achieve (that’s the vision) as well as the ways to attain it (that’s the mission) and the reason for doing it (that’s the philosophy) is crucial in achieving life’s success. In Partido Mission Academy, I have observed that after the Flag raising ceremony, they would recite the PMA Philisophy, and its Vision and Mission statement. I noticed that Maam Zen would ask them one by one to recite it before signing the clearance.
The Philisophy:
God the Creator and Sustainer of the Earth and of the entire universe is the source of knowledge and wisdom.
The Mission: STATEMENT
To provide quality Christian education through a unique curriculum responsive to the needs of the present society, reinforced with adequate modern learning facilities and sufficient instructional materials, utilized by competent and efficient educators who maintain a strong partnership with the community.
VISION
The Vision:
Partido Mission Academy is an educational institution that develops the student’s physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being.
In this manner, it is reinforced that students are able to put into their hearts by articulating it daily and meditating on the beauty of its cause.
This is one good reason as well that I am offering Seminar Workshop on Teacher’s Visioning Power using this educational institution as the venue for this event.
M therefore in Partido Mission Academy is Mission-Oriented.
The letter A stands for ACHIEVEMENT DRIVEN. In PMA, they are push to achieve both in fulfilling their academic requirements and extra curricular activities, to venture into a much higher cause of spiritual maturity through biblical inspired teachings and activities and to develop their total human development into the kind of personhood that God intended them to be. They are encouraged to strive harder, to dream higher and to make the best of life’s journey for God’s glory.
As a summary, for me PMA is Prayerful, Mission-Oriented and Achievement-Driven.
I remember the famous quote from John F. Kennedy Inaugural address, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. Now, I asked myself again? What can I do for PMA as a parent? I told myself, Ask not what PMA can do for you because they are doing a lot for your young men, so I said, Ask what you can do for PMA as a parent.
With this realization, I came up with P.M.A. as my answer.
P in PMA is PARTNERSHIP. What is the best thing that you can do without spending a single cent to the educational learning institution where your precious jewel, your children are being honed as professionals in the making? The answer is BY PRAYING! We as parents should spend time everyday to pray for the school where we place our children as their second homes. Pray for Sir Mike and Maam Zen. Not all young at once if I may call them,(not senior citizens because their energy exudes junior citizenship not on a senior level) will consider putting their energies to spend time for this cause of putting up an institution in a far flung area away from the glamorous life of the United States of America. This kind of retirement ministry is one in a million. They could have travelled the wide wide world but instead choose the road less travel, that is sacrificing their convenience to help young learners achieve their dreams. So let’s commit to pray for this wonderful and loving couple. Lets spend time to pray for the teaching and non-teaching staff who are directly managing our children and for the school facilities that God will continue to protect, provide and give preferential favors on them. Praying is the best that we can do for the Partido Mission Academy.
M in PMA is MINDFULLY –INVOLVED. As parents, we must be involved. I.N.V.O.L.V.E! School is not a depository baggage counter where you will just leave them there for safekeeping. Education is a two way process. It’s a partnership. We must be actively or proactively participate as required and needed. Lets be mindful of our children’s involvement. Develop a good relationship with the school personnel who are helping us in nourishing and nurturing our children for tomorrow’s dream. Lets Keep track of our children’s academic requirements, circle of friends and his interests whatever it is. The Home School Association is one great venue where you can be involved. Attend meetings! As an educator, with teaching as my giftedness from the Lord God, I articulated to conduct the Seminar Workshop on Anti-Bullying this year. We made it, This is my simple way to help, to be involved, to express my support to PMA.
A in PMA is ACHIEVABLE GOALS. As parents, we have goals and expectations to our children. Let us remind ourselves to HIGHER THE APPRECIATION AND LOWER THE EXPECTATIONS. I will repeat, HIGHER THE APPRECIATION AND LOWER THE EXPECTATIONS. Why do I have to say this? Too much expectations will put them into too much pressure. However, it you higher your appreciation, you give them affirmations, affirmative words like WOW! YOU LOOK FANTASTIC TODAY. I LIKE YOU STUDY HABITS NOW. YOU'RE EXERTING EFFORTS TO COPE UP rather than nagging them is better. More hugging not nagging. Positive words that lift their spirit will boast their self –esteem, their moral to strive more. If there is pleasure in doing things, then pressure is not felt at all. We only set realistic goals according to their capacities and lets refrain from comparing our children to others. Who wants to be compared anyway. Lets pressure them with pleasure. Let our children enjoy learning not endure it. ENJOYING NOT ENDURING makes student’ s life worth pursuing.
As a summary, lets remember PMA as Prayerful, Mission-Oriented and Achievement-Driven. As parents, PMA is Partnership in praying, Mindfully-Involved and Achievable Goals.
As my parting words, I will share with your one of my favorite poems that I learned when I worked as a social worker in the Philippine Association for the Gifted where I handled super super brilliant children, they are called potentially gifted children. The title of the poem is Children by Khalil Gibran
On Children
Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
The Partido Mission Academy President and Administrator, Sir Mike and Maam Zen, the teaching and non-teaching staff of this learning institution, Grade 10 students, parents, guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you and God bless us all.