She Chose to Stay

Before, Claret was just a small school that consists of the quadrangle, a covered court (gym), the field, which was then just plain land with carabao grass, and two academic buildings that had all the classrooms and offices that Claret had before. There were fewer subjects and activities throughout the school year. Because there were a fewer number of people, all the community members knew each other. This version of Claret School may be alien to us, or perhaps to the majority of its students and employees. However, this was the Claret School that our Grade School Principal Mrs. Condecido came to know when she applied to work here four decades ago.

Life as an educator

Mrs. Carmelita Cristobal - Condecido is currently on her 40th year of service in Claret School. Her stay in school, which by far is the longest when compared any other employee in Claret School, is perhaps a mark of her dedication and passion in serving the institution. With Claret nearing its golden year, Mrs. Condecido has undeniably become a pillar of learning in the institution.

She was born on July 16, 1956 in Obando, Bulacan and is the youngest among four siblings. Mrs. Condecido is happily married and has two wonderful children. The 60-year-old educator loves reading different kinds of books and enjoys playing golf in her free time. She was a volleyball player in her high school at St. Pascual Institution. After graduating from secondary education, she continued her studies at the Philippine Normal University and finished a degree in Basic Education in the year 1977. She also has a degree in counseling.

After achieving tertiary education, Mrs. Condecido pursued her career in Claret School, her first and only workplace. In the first ten years, she taught the subjects CLE and English. Upon entering her eleventh year, she was assigned as a level leader. A few years after, she was assigned to be the Grade School Language coordinator for three years. After this stint, she went back to teaching again. After a few more years, she was assigned as the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs, also for three years. Finally, she was given the opportunity to serve the institution as its Grade School Principal. It is now her sixth year as a principal to serve Claret School with all her heart and talent.

Mrs. Condecido revealed that she has a soft spot for children. She loves kids, and teaching them overwhelms her; this is one of the reasons why she became a teacher. Even after forty years in the profession, her passion for the youth has not wavered. People usually see her outside the administration office, smiling and greeting students as they enter the school. Children often enter the school with minimal enthusiasm, and this is her way of boosting their mood.

Humble beginnings

Though her ambition was to become a nurse, the influence of her relatives was too strong that it made her want to enter the world of teaching. Her aunts were teachers and out of the four siblings in her family, there are two teachers; her second to the eldest sister and herself. Coincidentally, both of them are now principals in their respective schools. Mrs. Condecido is a principal in our school while her sister is the head of Maligaya Elementary School in Fairview, Quezon City. Indeed, being an educator runs in their family.

When she was offered the opportunity to be a part of the administrative office, she was very hesitant to take the job. She was frightened by the tasks of becoming a principal because of all the changes in workload. It was a big decision that she had to discern for. Because of her experience as assistant principal for student affairs for three years, she is no stranger to the job offered to her. This made her feel more confident about herself and helped in making her decision. The people around her also convinced her that she truly is the one for the job.

"Di naman nila ‘yan ibibigay sayo kung alam nilang ‘di mo kaya," said the friends who convinced her to take the opportunity. The uncertainties of the job were deceiving, but in the end she accepted the opportunity. Now, she is working hard as the principal of the Grade School Department. A lot of people in Claret consider her as their inspiration because she really is indeed a veteran in this field.

Molded by experience

As a teacher for forty years, Mrs. Condecido’s journey in Claret was not that easy. “It was not smooth-sailing,” she recalled. According to her, there were many ups and downs; moments when she wanted to give up. However, these challenges are part of life in Claret; they are essential things that most of us must go through to grow and mature. A person who never gave up, Mrs. Condecido grew and matured as a teacher. Indeed, she is fit for the job assigned to her. Being a principal is a lot of work, one cannot learn by merely reading a book or listening to a lecture, but by having loads of experience on different situations.

Though her journey was difficult and stressful, there were also good times that encouraged her to never give up; little things that she will always remember. The most memorable moment for her was the time when the teachers, students, and personnel hosted a play entitled “The King and I” in Meralco Theatre. She played the female protagonist in the play. She described it as a memorable experience because everybody got to bond and know each other through that play. This was precious for her because as a teacher, she wanted to personally know people from Claret School, both personnel and students.

When asked what she likes with Claretians, she shared that she particularly is fond of their habit of greeting teachers. In fact, every time a student greets Mrs. Condecido, she said that it makes her happy simply because it shows how welcoming Claretians can be. In addition to this, Mrs. Condecido frequently receives letters that show appreciation and gratitude on the great job she does as a teacher and now, as principal. These letters are memorable to her because it shows how her efforts affect people in the school in a positive way. For her, there is nothing greater than being appreciated for all the effort and hard work you’ve exerted.

One last year

Forty years strong, there is something about Claret School that she cannot let go of. She has found a second home here in Claret, with teachers and students as her family. This is the first and only school that she has taught in and there is no doubt that she has put all the work in with nothing but love for the school. After her forty-year stay in Claret, this will be her last dance. By the end of the school year, she wants to leave as a happy and successful educator. Though this is her final year, she will still do her best and perform with all effort. She said that she is satisfied with the mark that she left to the institution.

Lessons learned

“You cannot only teach whatever you have studied in college, you have to continue learning,” she shared. For Mrs. Condecido, an educator must continue learning everywhere and every day. She believes that educators must keep learning because it is the only way that they can get better. Learning continually will be able to help them keep up with the learners in the present time. By educating herself regularly, she learned how to adjust to her students whatever their age may be.

“A Claretian is someone who lives the values and charism of St. Anthony Mary Claret, a brother to everyone, especially in times of need. He is someone who is sensitive to others. A very good leader and a humble person,” said Mrs. Condecido when asked who a Claretian is. In the many years of service of Mrs. Condecido, she has learned and saw that Claretians have the potential of being excellent leaders. She saw how great Claretians can be once they realize their true potential as individuals.

Mrs. Condecido wants to say to her fellow teachers, “Thank you for the times we were together. It has been a wonderful experience, praying, working, and playing with you. [I] hope to be with you in the future.” On the other hand, she only has one thing to say to her students, “Be proud [that] you are Claretians! May the values and skills you have learned in CSQC be manifested through your service and good deeds to everyone.”

Finally, with an assuring tone, she said, “Kahit may problema, makakaraos rin.”

#Personnel #Teacher #Principal #MrsCondecido