Why does it pay to be a REVIEWER
If you would ask me what is the best job a person could have; my answer, of course, would be teaching. It is a passion that I would be having for the rest of my life, I believe. I was born into it. It is my calling, my destiny.
To teach students with facts and knowledge is one thing. I am a Social Studies teacher and I always feel great whenever I discuss concepts my students had encountered for the first time. I am happy teaching in the University I graduated from but never did I thought that eventually, I would become part of a large network of people who believe that there is more to life than just teaching- and that is to provide, not students, but future teachers with the ultimate learning experience!
For almost a year now, in the second season of being a reviewer at Dr. Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC), I could say that I already had enjoyed a lot of perks. Perks which I know I’ll never experience if I were to confine myself to the four walls of the classroom inside the four corners of our University. But more than the perks, it is the unique but challenging experience that Reviewers of Test Preparation (Review) centers are able to enjoy which makes reviewing more rewarding!
And so, I have written some of the things I get to take pleasure in the day I officially became a faculty of CBRC.
BEING A REVIEWER BRINGS ME TO PLACES
With the fact that CBRC is already an empire in the country with branches extending from north to south of the archipelago, a reviewer will be sent to different areas making him visit places, all expense paid! From transportation to accommodation to food and of course, the service of a Review Ambassador (RA) willing to assist anytime in or out of the review (sometimes they even offer to be a tour guide and tiga-tawad when buying pasalubong) after the review.
BEING A REVIEWER ALLOWS ME TO MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE
Just think of what I have said that a reviewer gets to lecture from different branches nationwide, it would also mean being able to meet a lot of reviewees from different places of the country. I always find diversity exciting especially when the people I am seeing are living with subcultures different from the mainstream way of life I was born into. While I am able to experience talking to student with different views and opinion and learn from them, I also better apply one concept which I teach- Multiculturalism.
BEING A REVIEWER HELPS ME CONTRIBUTE TO NATION BUILDING
Truth is, yes, we are paid with our services, but it does not mean that we are not doing something to creating this nation better for everybody. Whenever I lecture in front of my review students, more than the content which I guess makes the review purposive, it is a must for me to share with them the attitude that a teacher should have towards teaching, and that is to make students learning a priority.
Our students are the future leaders of this country so they deserve the best education and we can only do that if we have diligent teachers who take pride, joy and enthusiasm in the profession. I always highlight that being a teacher is about creating an impact into our students’ lives. It is not an exit for unrealized dreams nor it is there to provide displaced professionals with security of tenure.
BEING A REVIEWER CHALLENGES ME TO ALWAYS SHOW MY BEST
With the brand’s promise of giving “the ultimate learning experience”, I guess it would be a shame if a CBRC reviewer is not well prepared and had not mastered the lesson.
Whenever I am scheduled for a lecture, I make it sure that I have read and reread the contents of the subject/s that I will discuss. As much as possible I will memorize facts and concepts because it will make my delivery smooth and the students could sense mastery. The students are there to review, so there is no room for false information or vague concepts that the lecturer fails to clarify, their future is at stake there.
Well, this might look as if this is a challenge but it is not. Because at the end of the lecture, whenever I see that the students are more than satisfied with the lecture, then that is something already. Even the simple “amazing lecture”, “dynamic lecturer” and “has mastery of the subject matter” written in the comments section of the rating sheet, that is a testimony that I have walked an extra mile during lecture. To always show my best is always rewarding.
BEING A REVIEWER DEVELOPS MY CONFIDENCE
Imagine talking to hundreds of students. Not just students, but a wide array of students with vast chances of having intellectuals. It would take so much courage to speak in front of these people who immersed at least four years of their lives in college education! Everything must be smooth; every detail of the lecture must be precise and accurate because my and the brands reputation is at stake. But nevertheless, with the continuous chance of being able to lecture to crowds, I find speaking to large group of people easier now. That is one thing I was able to get used to.
BEING A REVIEWER GIVES ME FINANCIAL FREEDOM
Not to mention that I am only a part-time reviewer of CBRC because I am teaching at Partido State University, it means that I have two sources of income now.
Being a reviewer did not make me rich, but at least the Professional Fee (PF) I get helps our family meet our ends. Now, there is no need for my mother to go around asking relatives and neighbors to loan her small amount of cash whenever my salary is delayed, because there is CBRC.
To note, my PF from my two-day lecture in CBRC is already half of my monthly salary! Come to think of that.
BEING A REVIEWER MADE ME AN INSTRUMENT IN MAKING THE DREAMS AND THE FILIPINO DREAMERS ONE
Need I say more? It is more than rewarding to think that at least, in the few days I have stayed with a crowd of reviewees, I have done something to contribute to their preparations for their Licensure Exam.
When the results are out, my happiness cannot be contained whenever my students would happily inform me that they are grateful to my lecture because it helped them a lot to pass the exam and be licensed professionals.
Truly, working to Test Preparation (review) Centers is quite challenging because it will take so much courage, effort and distorted vocal chords to teach future licensed professionals, but a reviewer should always look for the best prize at store. And that is to change a Filipino life forever and be a part of creating a new generation of professionals for the country.
So I will be forever grateful for the experiences and learning I continue to get from Dr. Carl Balita Review Center. Truly, this is where the dream and the dreamer become one.
To sir Carl, thank you very much for the opportunity that you had given me. Thank you for considering me to be a part of the empire you had built. Happy 10th Anniversary CBRC: Quality, Integrity, Supremacy, Consistency, Results! #TatakAgila #TatakCBRC
