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Reymark Arnaiz Isar

,
Master ofEducational Administration
Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines

Year of Graduation: 2024

Currently employed as:

Faculty Member at Xavier School San Juan

When I reflect on my journey at the Ateneode Manila University, I realise it wasn't just about earning a degree; it was

about transformation. It truly exemplifies the institution’s commitment to fostering not just academic excellence, but
also a deep sense of community and social responsibility rooted in Ignatian values. I entered this master’s programme
with a sense of risk and uncertainty, yet I am living as a leader and an advocate. My graduate studies in Educational
Administration began in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemicdowns. I am Reymark Isar, a teacher
-
induced lock
from Aklan, deaf in one ear, and an absolute outsider. I hadn’t taken my undergraduate studies in Ateneo, and I carried

that sense of being newof not belongingwith me. However, the Ateneo community did not allow me to
stay on the
—
—
margins for long. As I interacted with more and more people, that feeling of being an outsider simply melted away. I
soon realised that no matter who you are or where you come from, you are welcomed here. The bonds I forged, even
through screens, proved to be resilient. Last month, I attended a conference and saw a classmate for the first time
after two years of online interactionand the connection was instant. It’s comforting to know that even though we
—
met virtually, they are still the same genuine people I connected with. I have forged bonds that I know will last a
lifetime, giving me confidence that these people will never let me down. These connections are one of the things I will
carry with me beyond graduation.

As classes shifted back to the physical campus, Ateneo became a true safe haven for me, a second home. Everywhere
I went on campus, I felt a profound sense of safety. I would just sit, reflect, and work on my papers, and I would feel
completely okay. This welcoming environment quickly led me into a role I never fully anticipated: leadership. I will
graduate as the outgoing chairperson (SY 20232024) of the Committee for Graduate Student Concerns (CGSC). Acting
-
as the student representative for the graduate population across the five Loyola Heights schools, I immersed myself
—
in various activities and committees. It was an honour to apply my desire to leada desire that followed my mother

and sister into the teaching professiondirectly to serving my peers. Myacademic work mirrored this dedication to
—
service. My desire to take on leadership roles led me to the Educational Administration programme, where my
capstone paper focused on inclusive education and systems thinking. I was driven by the long
-
term vision
for the well
-
being of all learners. My goal was to explore how we in the Philippine context could develop an inclusive education
model that effectively integrates with our existing curriculum. It was a proud moment when I was able to virtually
present thispaper and share my ideas at an international conference in the United Kingdom. Now, as a faculty member

at Xavier School San Juan, it is wonderful to see the principles I studied actually happening in reality
.

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