Reneal IEO Profile: Jade Reyes [2013-08-03]
We want to share the profile of someone who has been very important to Reneal IEO and to us personally: Jade Reyes. Jade transferred to Compostela National High School within a few days of when we arrived as US Peace Corps Volunteers. Jade's story illustrates the impact that computers can have on students' lives...
“Jade”. That is the name that my mother gave me. My name came from an ornamental stone. My full name is “Jade de los Reyes – Reyes”, but I commonly use only Jade Reyes. Most people I work with, including teachers and classmates, simply call me Jade or Ja-De. I was born in Meyto, Calumpit, Bulacan but we moved to Cebu when I was 14 years old. My father, Herminio Reyes, died from a liver disease when I was 4 years old. He was a jeepney driver and fisherman but I don’t remember things about him because of my very young age. Mother told me how good my father was.
As I grew up, I lived together with my mother, brothers and sisters. I am so lucky that I have family that loves me so much. My mother’s name is Teofila Reyes. She is 60 years of age and she is the one who cooks and prepares all the things that we need. I have two sisters: Gina Reyes-Pilar & Janice Reyes-Mangonon; and two brothers: Jayger Reyes and Hernan Reyes but they have their own family except my brother Hernan Reyes. I am the youngest among the five siblings. My birthdate is September 25, 1992 and that is the start of my LIFE here in this world.
It was May 23, 2006 when we moved to Compostela, Cebu. At that time I didn’t understand the bisaya language because our language in Bulacan was different, it was tagalog. When we came to Cebu, we went together with my mother to Compostela National High School to enroll in high school. We needed to talk to the principal for an interview. After the interview, I officially enrolled to my new alma mater. It was a lot of pressure for me because all was new to me; new environment, new language, new classmates, new teachers and new school.
When I was in 1st and 2nd year high school, I didn’t know why I was going to school and what my dream in life was. I didn’t know what course I was going to take in college until I was in 3rd year. Ma’am Rene and Sir Neal, US Peace Corps Volunteers, they made a club called “COMPUTER STUDENT SPECIALIST”. It was very interesting to me because I started to love computers. We had a meeting twice a week at that time. Our work as a member of that club was to update the antivirus and run the scan so the viruses would be quarantined or deleted. We also cleaned the computers in the computer lab but they only have few computers. Windows 95 and 98 was the operating system and it was very slow but it could be used, it needed patience. Sometimes we could not have a hands-on because the teachers were using it. For me as a student, it was less learning without a hands-on so we go on more theory and imagination. As a computer specialist, we needed to help the teachers and students to troubleshoot their problems in the computer. I remembered sometimes during the discussion of our teacher, I was excused from class because other teachers needed me to connect the laptop to the TV for the other sections. We also implemented the rules and regulations of proper usage of the computer in the campus. We went to room to room briefings and discussed the DO’s and DON’Ts in computer usage.
We heard news that more computers were going to come in the school. I was so happy and excited. What got me excited was we were going to test and set-up the computers. It was big work but it was so fun for me. When the computer came, we went to the CICC [Cebu International Convention Center] together with other members of the club to get the computers. We tested all the computers from the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and system unit. After we tested all of the computers, we disseminated the computers in every office and put more in the IT lab. A new operating system was introduced by Sir Neal. It is the Linux Operating System. Only in our discussion in Computer Education subject I heard that word “Linux”. It is very exciting to learn more and more. Sir Neal discussed about the Linux, what is the advantage and how can be useful in old computers. He discussed about the LTSP [Linux Terminal Server Protocol] that it only boots in network or using floppy disk or CD. When all the computers worked, the teachers’ work was made easy. Also the students can do more hands-on and research. Not only books were there in the library but also computers that can be used by the students in researching their assignments. It was very nice to see the students smile when they have some research and hands-on.
My interest in computers led me to study IT and I wanted to enhance my skills. The turning point for why I take the course IT was when I was in high school. It gave me a lot of knowledge. It enlightened my path. I remembered, it was November 6, 2009 when I was officially hired by the school (Compostela National High School). It made me feel pressure because I was studying in my First Year College and working as Computer Maintenance. I needed to balance my study and my work. I didn’t have time to hang-out with my friends and classmates because I have my obligation to the school. My life when I’m in college was only Cebu Technological University, where I am study IT; Compostela National High School, where I work as computer maintenance; and to our home, where I lived. It was not a boring life because I love what I do. I had my On-the-Job Training at Compostela National High School. I am so happy that I spent my 10 months of working there. I have a lot of learning in my OJT period. Romeo Wong “Kuya Aka” [IT expert for the municipality of Compostela] helped me a lot in learning about hardware problems. He gives me tips that are very useful in troubleshooting. Sir Neal also helped me a lot in software and networking. Using Skype and e-mail, he gave me instruction for what to do. It helps me very much for when another problem will occur. He explained to me everything and shared all that he knows. Ma’am Nerry Bugtai [IT teacher-in-charge at Compostela National High School] gives me advice in my future work. Thanks to all who helped me during my OJT period.
Last April 4, 2013, I graduated as Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology major in Computer Technology. During my OJT period, I realized that I want to be a teacher. The environment influenced me to teach and some of teachers advised me to take education units so I can teach in high school. The purpose for why I want to teach is to share my knowledge to my students. I hope to be successful in helping students develop skills that allow them to achieve their future dreams – that is my dream for my future students. My plans in life are to help my family, to be a licensed professional teacher someday and to have my own family. My inspiration in life is my family, friends, girlfriend, my future students and my positive thinking that I can reach my dream. I am so blessed that I have a chance to have my second course which is Bachelor of Secondary Education. I hope my plans and dreams in life may come true. Just pray and believe in GOD. He knows what is the BEST FOR US.