Rice Dispenser

Perhaps Christmas is the only time of the year when a teacher doesn’t feel like he or she is in a job that demands more than it compensates. This is especially true in Xavier School, where, every year, the parents’ organization throws a party for their children’s mentors and ensure that each receives a noche buena package and a Christmas bonus.

Not all schools are as fortunate as Xavier, though. The teachers in the school where I have volunteered have never received such overflowing expressions of gratitude. After all, the parents of our students could barely make Christmas extra special for their own families. This being the reality, my colleagues have already accepted this as a given and do not expect anything grandiose for Christmas except for their 13th-month bonuses and perhaps small items to be raffled off during their Christmas party. Last year, my co-teacher’s tables were filled not with hams or queso de bolas but with ball pens, mugs, bookmarks and other simple gifts that the students could manage to give to their teachers. For their party, the faculty were treated to a catered dinner, an event that literally happens only once a year. Their raffle had face towels and picture frames as minor prizes and a rice dispenser or an electric fan as the major prize. To make up for the simplicity of the party, the teachers organize parlor games and exchange gifts, choosing to focus on the bonding of the community rather than on material blessings.