Alicia Mederos Matamoro is a third-grade teacher who came from Havana. Here, she found love and stayed. She speaks to me with a hoarse voice, a dysphonia that doesn't impede the frank dialogue in her classroom and in a hallway of the Buenaventura primary school's semi-boarding school. "I've been in this profession for over twenty-two years, and here I've found a good team. We have difficulties with fuel to generate electricity; the blackouts almost bring us to a standstill. The families of our students struggle a lot to care for their children. But what can we do? Well, the answer lies in better classes, in efficiently attending to those who are less advanced, both in learning and education—that is, in comprehensive development."
And she added, "To achieve this, we teachers must, first and foremost, be aware of the task of educating, through our classes, awakening patriotism so that students see the country's history in reality: advantages and disadvantages, and how to defend our socialist project without sugarcoating reality. That is my purpose."
[Professor Antonio Rubio, an experienced teacher who works at different levels] [educational.] Professor Antonio Rubio, an experienced teacher who works at different educational levels. During my journalistic journey, I met Professor Antonio Rubio, a renowned Geography teacher, at the educational complex. "Here I teach tenth and eleventh grade; it's a complex situation, it's true. We have material shortages of all kinds, which causes discipline, independent study, and commitment, among other things, to break down at times. I believe that we and the families must act more intelligently to achieve more complete learning and education. Classes must strive to adapt better to the changing times without abandoning the main objective: to teach and educate for life, as Martí stated." "
[Rogelia Segura has taught over forty courses across various educational levels.] Rogelia Segura has taught over forty courses across various educational levels. And I spoke once again with Rogelia Segura Pérez, a renowned Spanish literature teacher, who reaffirmed her commitment to continuing the work begun in the early years of the Revolution. "To continue like this, we need more commitment. These are difficult times; the government in the north wants to suffocate us by cutting off fuel and threatening those who help us and show solidarity. That's why the exemplary role of the teacher is now essential, along with better, more engaging classes. Many of our students lack interest in their studies and are in pre-university programs; they don't take advantage of the opportunities. Some say, 'Why all the fuss if you're just going to earn a better salary in a small or medium-sized enterprise?' Others, on the other hand, are more responsible and consciously know the path and the reasons for following it."
"" And he adds, “We, those who defend the Revolution, must continue with changes that promote work, intelligence, and a fuller life where our young people find fulfillment in this land defended by men and women who, despite their flaws, possessed the virtues to forge the nation. This legacy is defended, in our case, from the classroom, transformed into a workshop for the present and the future, preparing us to face difficult situations like those of today and emerge victorious.”
There is no doubt: school and family united in the pursuit of shaping well-rounded individuals, prepared to face challenging times creatively and responsibly.
