First and last LET.

One and only LET.

The time is NOW.

These statements marked Dorothy Anne Angco’s resolve to pass the LET and target for a top rank.

From the very start, when Dy-an took the diagnostic test at MindGym, I had the feeling that she would be one of our topnotcher bets for the September 2011 LET. She asked very profound questions which made us rethink our answers. She came early for review class and was attentive through the day.

Whenever I told her: ”kayang-kaya mo ‘yan Dy-an“, she would reply with a smile “ma’m nakaka-pressure ‘yan ma’m, pero gusto ko po talaga at pagsisikapan ko“.

Little had I known about the extra-extra time she devoted outside our weekend reviews to achieve her “topping the LET” target till she wrote this article.  Gather strength from Dy-an’s personal sharing of the LET experience in her story below:

My Journey to LET Success

by Dorothy Anne Angco, Top 6, September 2011 LET

When a person is raised without having much in life, the person learns the value of contentment, maximizing the resources he/she is bequeath with.

I grew up not having the luxury of getting my wants, settling only on the things which are necessary. The lack of material abundance never became an excuse for my passion to learn; on the contrary, it fueled my determination to achieve and succeed.

The treasures I have are my dreams: dream of making my parents proud, for whoever I am today and yet to be, is the product of their hard work and sacrifices; and 2) dream of becoming an inspiration to my fellow men, to strive and excel in their chosen fields.

These were the seeds I have planted and nurtured within, with the hope that one day, each of them will blossom into reality.

The Licensure Exam for Teachers was a humbling experience for me. I consider it as God’s way of making me witness how deep faith and total surrender translated to fruitful rewards and blessings.

Yes, I secretly had the desire of standing out, hence the hundred percent effort I had exerted in the past months to prepare for the LET. I had to juggle the demands of my graduate studies, work and review. Indeed, time management and focus became the name of the game – library over mall, LET review module over Facebook and MindGym review sessions over gimmicks.

As I see it, it was all about making choices. And I chose honor and excellence over momentary pleasures derived from leisure and unproductive engagements. I chose not to be haunted by “what if’ and if only’s”. I chose to persevere, pray and perform to the best of my ability.

And it paid off. This brings me back to a quote I have come across with:

Great achievements rarely ever come in a single shot.

So don’t rush things, even if they seem to be going slower than you’d like them to. It’s easy to become frustrated and feel like all your efforts are in vain, but have patience. You may not realize it now, but in the end, you will see that all the little steps made a difference and all the hard work paid off.The achievement I have goes back to those who have helped me succeed. My deepest gratitude to my family, mentors, MindGym family, friends and beloved – for the overflowing boost of confidence, dose of advice, unconditional love and support.

Cheers to all Professional Teachers! This is another milestone in our lives. May we become instruments of change, through our selfless service in educating the citizens of tomorrow.

To all future LET examinees, here’s a piece of advice:

“Seize every moment, make the most out of your time to prepare for the examination. Make it a once in a lifetime experience, next time is too uncertain.”

To March 2012 LET takers: are you passionate about passing or topping the LET?  Are you preparing just as Dy-an did?  Save yourself from the tears and heavy hearts experienced by those who have not braced themselves well enough for their LET challenge. Forget the expressions of regret: What if … and if only…