FROM the school gates to the classroom, security guard Erwin Macua fulfills his life-long dream of becoming a teacher.

St. Theresa’s College (STC) has decided to hire its security guard to teach in the grade school department when classes start on Aug. 1.

Macua, who was still reporting for work as security guard yesterday, was all smiles as he told SunStar Cebu that he is both nervous and excited about what’s ahead.

“Kulbaan ko labi na sa STC ko mag-teach. Kinahanglan kog dako-dako nga preparation on how to deal with the students whose parents already know me. What if they would say ‘Hala si Kuya Guard man ni, mao na magtudlo sa akong anak’ so I’m pressured,” he said.

Despite the pressure, Macua said that the warmth and compassion he received from the students, parents, faculty, and colleagues reassured him.

“They told me that they would help me every step of the way, especially because it’s already the age of computers so I’m slowly learning how to use it and the internet, like in making Power Point presentations,” he said.

As a father and having worked as security guard in STC for almost two decades, Macua believes he has an advantage in teaching the kids in grade school.

“I will make personal adjustments because I’ll be dealing with kids and then as a father, I have an advantage because I have a two-year-old daughter. I’ll need patience and more cooperative discussions because children are so active. You need to catch their attention,” he said.

Macua said that his soon-to-be fellow teachers gave him samples of lesson plans to guide him.

Starting next month, he will undergo a one-month training to prepare him to become a full-fledged grade school teacher.

Until now, the humble man still couldn’t believe that he’ll soon be a teacher.

“Sus, wa gyud ko magdahom sa akong life nga maabot ani. Sa akong edad, ako ra untang pangandoy sa kinabuhi kay makahuman og eskwela akong anak. Gi-design gyud sa Ginoo,” he said.

Macua prays that his life story will encourage more students to enroll in STC and for people to reach for their dreams. (JOB)