Teacher's 'I love you's' set safe, warm learning space for kids

• Published date: 28 October 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

A teacher in Taguig City has found an interesting and rather endearing way to set her class in the right mood every morning.

Instead of the usual roll call, teacher Eujan Ruflyn Alice Gazzingan-Abracia, 30, from the Kapt. Eddie T. Reyes Integrated School, checks the class attendance by telling each of her students that she loves them.

In a video she posted on social media and has since become viral online, Abracia could be seen calling out the names of her students by starting with the words "I love you," as the kids respond one at a time with: "I love you too, teacher."

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Abracia admitted she has grown 'clingy' and affectionate toward her students.

'Sa mga bata ko po, ang tawag ko po talaga sa kanila sa klase, ang tawag ko 'love' sa kanila (To my kids, I call them in class, I call them 'love'),' she said.

In return, she said she has observed that the learners have developed enthusiastic behavior in class, as they feel a sense of 'safety' and confidence in class.

'Tuwing tinatawag po natin sila ng love, or ina-i love youhan po natin sila, parang mas nagba-brighten up po 'yung day nila, mas nagiging maliksi, mas nagiging maligalig, at naeenganyo pumasok araw-araw, na mag-join o na gawin 'yung mga iba't ibang activities namin sa classroom (Whenever I call them 'love,' or I'm saying I love you, it appears to brighten up their day, they are more enthusiastic, more active, and engaged to go to school daily, and join various of activities in classroom),' she said.

As expected, netizens took delight in Abracia's unique roll call. 'Nice way of checking attendance ma'am. At the same time, you are establishing rapport with your students. Good for [a] small number of students ma'am,' netizen Ethel Fernandez said.

'A big eye opener to those teachers out there, that spreading love is the best way to teach growing kiddos. Good job ma'am, and keep loving! God bless you always,' another one, Tatskie Lirazan, said.

'Sana all! Nakaka-good vibes especially for the students. Mawawala ang takot or nerbyos nila and lalo ma-inspire sila, always looking forward to going to school and making it easy for them to study and understand the lessons. Keep up the good work!' Chan Ella commented.

With the obvious fun and happiness it has brought to kids and others, the video has since amassed almost three million views and over 14,000 shares online.

'Nakakataba po ng puso na na-appreciate hindi lang po ng mga bata, kundi ganun din ng mga magulang nila...