The person who makes success of living is the one who see his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.

—Cecil B. DeMille

Being a mom, an employee, and a LET reviewee all at one time is not easy.

Juggling one’s time becomes even more challenging when one has to be a mom to three young children and at the same time a school administrator and guidance counselor.

To compound the hurdle, aspire to be a topnotcher.

With three roles to play, Particia Jhoanna “Peej” Caguin-del Rosario, Top 10, September 2011 Secondary Education (major in Values Education) managed very well.  Learn how she did it with discipline, attitude, and prayer:

My LET Story

by Patricia Jhoanna Caguin-del Rosario

I grew up in a family where doing my best was most important. In every task, my Ama and Mama would often remind me that as long as I do my best, there’s really nothing to regret, whatever the outcome may be.

Doing my best to prepare for the LET included entailed three things for me.

First, discipline. My hands are full. I am a hands-on mom to three young kids—Rachel, Rafael, and Russel—while I work full-time as a Preschool Principal and the Head of the Guidance Center.

I realized that if I do not have a “review plan”, I may get sidetracked very easily. LET review materials from bookstores and co-teachers did not seem to meet my standard of “best effort.” That was when I chose to invest in MindGym.

It was not hard getting motivated to engage in the discussions and answering (what seemed to me never-ending!) drills because the coaches, most notably Ms. Alice and Sir Albert, are passionate about learning, themselves. With their hearts, they drive their reviewees to pursue excellence which compelled me to go beyond what they expect of me. I augmented my MindGym learnings with extra readings, research and tutors. I have learned that it takes serious discipline to constantly believe that, “YES, I CAN!”

Consequently, I trained my mind and heart to wear the right attitude. I was deliberately ready to repel thoughts, situations and even people who plague my being with anything negative. Instead, I soaked in God’s truths like “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind, is anything too hard for me?”  (Jer. 32:27).

Along with the formulas and acronyms on the walls of my classroom, office and bedroom, were Bible verses and affirmation statements which I declare (loudly) each day. I pictured myself victorious while making sure my heart remains teachable.

Lastly, I made sure that I spend time in prayer. I basked in God’s love and grace each day, which became my fuel to persevere. Several people have committed to pray for me too on a constant basis. I boldly asked God to answer my prayer to top the LET. His answer was more than I imagined and I credit it all to God’s amazing grace.

When I think about what next step to take after my LET success, I carry in my heart my daughter’s words: “Congratulations, Mommy. Keep moving forward.”

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…

Four MindGym LET reviewees made it to the top of the September 2011 Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET):

• Dorothy Ann Angco (6)
• Wilson Espiritu (7)
• Patricia Caguin-del Rosario (10)
• Celeste Lamayan (10).

For the past five LETs, MindGym has coached, challenged, and cared for a total of 13 LET topnotchers—a commendable track record for a young LET review center.

For first-time LET reviewees, the center had attained an exceptionally high passing rate of 95% compared to the 23% national passing rate.  Even our passing rate for re-takers from various universities was a significant high at 79%.

Interested to review for the LET with MindGym? Find out more here. Classes for the March 2012 LET will begin on January 7, 2012 so register as soon as you can so you’ll have time to prepare your schedules and take the diagnostic exam.

To our dear MindGym TOPnotchers Dorothy Ann Angco (6), Wilson Espiritu (7), Patricia Caguin-del Rosario (10) and Celeste Lamayan (10) and many LET passers,

Congratulations new professional teachers! Your early morning trips to MindGym, active participation in review sessions, diligence in working on the drills, kindness in sharing what you know with other batchmates, extra online researches, foregone barkada gimmicks, late night caps, and ardent prayers — brought you to this moment of LET success.

Thank you for choosing us to be your LET review partner, your MindGym family. The happiness and pride we share with you more than makes up for our sleepless nights, hurried lunches, working weekends, overworked brains, twisted trunks, and veined legs (haha!).

To those who need to see with their own eyes their names on the roster of LET passers despite the numerous texts, messages, and calls received from family and friends, you may check your names here:

• Elementary
• Secondary

To those who did not make it this time, start your preparations early!  Take our FREE LET diagnostic tests on Wednesdays and Saturdays and reserve a seat while there are still slots available.

Or, if you prefer to self review, you may check our online LET site, MyReviewCoach.