The #superkidsofMDBA takes first flight for face-to-face class
In Metro Dipolog Baptist Academy (MDBA), we call our beloved students the #superkidsofMDBA. We consider them as ‘supers’ because we believe in their kindness, in their God-given potentials, and because we train them to become like one. In a way, calling them as ‘super kids’ reminds us teachers that we are not only training leaders someday but also building heroes in this Christian education ministry.
When the pandemic happened, everyone and everything was compromised, especially the learning of the students. The pandemic robbed us, Christian educators, of our privilege to minister to our students physically.
Two years had passed since classes were suspended physically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This made students to be separated physically from their classmates and teachers. The separation anxiety affected our students who were once excellent performers to become worn out that resulted in their substandard performance.
The Department of Education together with different government agencies, made momentous efforts in bringing back the students to schools. It was in the second half of November of 2021 when students identified in low-risk areas for the COVID-19 resumed in going back to schools. Finally, our #superkidsofMDBA are now able to relive the thrill of going to school face-to-face
Initially, there were 18 students who participated during the pilot implementation of face-to-face class. By the end of December 2021, the number grew to 24 students. As of March 2022, there are now 48 students who participate, 30 of which report daily while the other 18 report on a staggered MWF and TTH schedule.
Presently, due to the physical attendance of our students, the student offices were transferred to our open-air multipurpose gymnasium creating a spacious multilevel learning center. In that big area we applied the usual setup: scoring stations and supervisor’s stations are present but testing tables are repurposed this time.
The same procedures are observed during the conduct of our face-to-face class. The students raise their respective flags for scoring or academic questions. The supervisor/monitor then attends that student, gives them permission or initial of their request, then proceeds. As mentioned above, testing tables are repurposed to serve as supervisor’s desks for the online class happening simultaneously. This is to control and minimize the student’s contact points in different areas of the multilevel learning center. Students who will be taking their PACE test will have to take it in their individual office after clearing the space.
Knees Bowed then Face-to-Face
Our living God in the Bible said of a promise of giving the desires of our heart if we delight ourselves in the work of the Lord. We find this promise in Psalm 37:4 which says, “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
As a church-school, we had experienced so much troubles when the pandemic started. We were compassed with numerous persecutions, hearsays, and questions about our legitimacy, all for doing things right. But, through the guidance of our pastor/administrator, we surrendered the spiritual battle to God. We only delighted in humbling ourselves in prayer pleading for God’s grace and mercy and His deliverance.
Indeed, the pandemic was a rough start for us. But we endured two years of prayerfulness and it gave us a sweet validation and vindication against our naysayers. Our participation in the face-to-face class, the national recognition we got are not our greatest blessings; they are just the tip of the iceberg. Instead, our greatest blessing is in our firsthand experience of God’s hand at work in ordering our steps, and Him being delighted in every step we take.
We are in the ministry of building ‘heroes’ and we are happy to welcome them back in our physical care. We now get to fellowship with them with minimal health protocols, and most importantly pray for them face-to-face. The issues and problems are now gone and our students are now able to get back on track. But the greatest hero of all that made things possible is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
To God be the glory!