The Heart Of A Teacher

In Evangeline de Castro-Molina’s classroom, the light never goes off. A typical school day for this Filipino-American kindergarten teacher at the Reche Canyon Elementary School, Colton Joint Unified, Colton California San Bernardino County, begins at seven in the morning where she prepares lessons in math, reading and writing. Long after the regular class has ended, Molina stays and devotes extra hours to tutor her students for free to ensure that they excel and meet all grade level standards.

Her students and their parents simply adore her. Many parents make a beeline come enrollment time to register their children in Molina’s class because they know kids will always be taken care of. The parents are confident that Molina will help their children make the progress they need.

Molina’s dedication and commitment were honored by American educators with the 2007 Distinguished Education Medal of Honor in Education/Education Professional category by the San Bernardino Country School Boards Association. She was chosen from among nominees from 35 districts throughout the whole San Bernadino County in California. Molina is the first Filipina to receive this prestigious award.

The award is given to an outstanding teacher who “exemplifies education value, makes an impact and lasting contribution, serves as a positive role model respected by peers and contributes to his/her profession as an educator.”

Colton principal Diane Mumper herself nominated Molina, backed by peers, parents and students of Colton. Mumper has only the highest regard for Molina.

“One does wonder how one educator can accomplish all this in a seven and one quarter day. Mrs. Molina’s day usually begins when the custodian arrives and ends when the principal leaves. She truly believes that the day is not over until the job is done. It seems like the light in her room is never off. Teaching is a joy to Mrs. Molina and student success is sweet nectar to her teacher’s heart. As an educator she is exemplary and truly amazing. I believe that her dedication to students, parents and the educational profession deserves to be recognized. Mrs. Molina is an excellent role model of the true spirit and goals of educators,” writes Mumper in her recommendation letter of Molina to the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.

No child left behind

Molina believes that no child should be left behind in her class. She trains them to be achievers at a young age and spends extra hours to make sure her students have a strong foundation in math, reading and all other aspects of learning. She encourages her young students to be confident and well-rounded.

It is not surprising that at Grade 1, children from Molina’s classes know more than just basic counting, reading and writing. “In the first trimester, when most kindergarteners are learning to write their names and a third of the alphabet, Mrs. Molina’s students have mastered their first and last names, all of the letters and sounds of the alphabet, begin to write simple sentences and know and recognize their numbers 1 to 20,” Mumper says.

Molina says she never gets tired of or impatient with her students. It is her passion for teaching that motivates her to go the extra mile – or even two miles – for her students.

Mumper adds, “She exhibits levels of high energy when working daily with her students. All classroom time is spent working with groups or individuals in meaningful learning tasks. Parents are always welcome and it is not uncommon to see two or three parents a day working in her room with students.”

And Molina never fails to involve the parents in the education of her students.  She says everyday, during her off teaching time, parents are assigned a certain day to bring their child back for one-on-one tutoring.

A lifelong dream and vocation

Molina says she has always wanted to be a teacher. Virginia Cabrera, her elementary classmate at the St. James Academy in Malabon, attests that Molina loved to teach poor little children whenever they participated in their school’s outreach program. But Molina did not take up teaching in college because her father preferred she take a business course to eventually manage their family business. So she graduated with a degree in Business Management from the Assumption College in 1965.   

But even while working in the family business, Molina dreamed of going back to her first love – teaching. In the 1980’s she migrated to the US and there, she finally pursued a teaching career.  

She studied education at the University of California Riverside and after getting her teaching credentials, she immediately taught at a private school and then transferred to Reche Canyon Colton Joint Unified Elementary School in 1987.  

Molina says, “I teach my students below their frustration level and above their comfort level. I see to it that my young students are challenged.”

She adds,”“If a child is not listening, I tell her ‘I want your eyes’ and I get her attention. I am always generous with praise and rewards. Kasi ang foundation ng bata nasa kindergarten, kawawa naman kung hindi mo ma-tap yung full potential nila.”

The exemplary teacher shares her Medal of Honor with all dedicated and industrious Filipino teachers in the Philippines and all over the world. She has spent the last 21 years teaching at Colton. In teaching, Molina says she has found her life’s mission. “Teaching is a very rewarding profession. When I teach, I see to it that I give my all.”