A Teacher’s Journey: Dr. Mara Salibay

For some, teaching is a profession. For others, it is a calling shaped by years of experiences, relationships, and moments that make the journey meaningful. For Dr. Mara Salibay, teaching has become both—a lifelong dream fulfilled and a purpose she continues to embrace with gratitude.

As the former Balik-Aral Program Coordinator and Director of the DLSU-D Night College, Dr. Salibay has witnessed the determination of students who pursue their education while balancing the demands of work, family, and everyday life. Through the years, she has become part of their journeys, celebrating their small victories and standing with them as they work toward one of their greatest milestones: graduation.

Her desire to teach began when she was a child. Looking back, she considers herself fortunate to have been led to De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, where she found a community that allowed her to turn that childhood dream into a meaningful vocation.

“I feel lucky that I was led here to DLSU-D by faith and destiny,” she shares.

For Dr. Salibay, teaching goes beyond delivering lessons inside a classroom. Every interaction with her students brings a sense of fulfillment. She describes teaching almost like a therapy session—an opportunity to listen, connect, share experiences, and learn alongside her students.

The fulfillment becomes even more profound when she sees them reach the finish line.

“When my students graduate, I feel fulfilled,” she says. Their success becomes a shared achievement, because every milestone reflects not only their hard work but also the journey she has taken with them.

For her, seeing a student finish their degree is a dream come true—not only for the student, but for her as well.

She celebrates every journey because she understands what it means to work toward a dream. Having experienced her own challenges and milestones, Dr. Salibay recognizes the courage it takes for students to keep moving forward, especially when the path is not always easy.

Her advice is simple but meaningful: celebrate the small wins and always remain grateful.

“Celebrate the small wins and always be grateful,” she reminds her students. For Dr. Salibay, gratitude is not merely an attitude but a way of seeing possibilities even amid challenges.

“When you have a grateful heart, a lot of possibilities will come for us,” she shares.

As the Lasallian community celebrates World Teachers’ Day and Teachers’ Month, Dr. Salibay also extends her appreciation to her fellow educators, particularly those who dedicate their time to the students of the Night College.

“To my co-teachers in the Night College, thank you, maraming maraming salamat, for giving your time to our Night College students. Giving a part of yourself to our Night College students is something that is priceless. Patuloy lang po natin silang suportahan.”

Her message reflects what teaching means to her: giving a part of oneself so that another person can move closer to a dream.

For Dr. Mara Salibay, every student who crosses the stage at graduation represents a journey worth celebrating. Every small victory is a reminder of why she chose to teach, and every student who perseveres gives meaning to the vocation she has embraced since childhood.

This Teachers’ Month, her story reminds us that the impact of a teacher is not always measured by the lessons taught, but by the lives touched, dreams supported, and possibilities opened along the way.

“I’m Mara Salibay. I am a proud Lasallian teacher.”

This article aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)

• No. 4: Quality Education