Highlights
- Bibo Santos has a psychology and nursing background, while his wife Marian is a teacher.
- The couple admits that compromising was a big part of their adjustment to a new life in Australia.
- Having a solid educational foundation early is important.
"Awards are just icing on the cake. They're extra. For us, it's about giving kids the skills they need to be successful in whatever they decide to do," teacher and Learner's Hub owner Marian Santos shares.
While awards are extra and success is subjective, what Marian and her husband Bibo do aim for is to help kids go beyond what they think they're capable of so they can find where they fit.
Marian and Bibo Santos Source: Mesmerized Photography
The nurse and the teacher
Prior to meeting Marian, Bibo worked as a paediatric nurse in the UK for five years.
"When the recession happened in 2009, migrants were forced out of the UK. It was difficult to get a permanent residency so I decided to go back home. That's when I met Marian," he shares.
Bibo's family owned a dormitory in San Miguel, Manila. Marian was one of their boarders.
Bibo shares, "Marian was studying in De Lasalle University then; and I'd just like to brag that my wife graduated cum laude with a degree in Education."
The young couple Source: Bibo and Marian Santos
Admitting to being competitive and ambitious, Marian proudly shares that she comes from a family of teachers.
"My mum was a public school teacher and whenever there were events in school, she would bring me with her. I loved the environment. I found the classroom to be such a happy place."
That happy place would become a big part of her life as well.
"I loved the environment. I found the classroom to be such a happy place." Source: Marian Santos
"There were a lot who applied to specialise in primary school so I was placed in secondary. I ended up teaching in two very competitive high schools. I also tutored honour students after class," Marian shares.
"I didn't know then that it was meant to be - my degree and experience would make it easier for me to migrate to Australia."
Migrating to Australia became part of the couple's plan after Bibo took and passed his IELTS.
Migrating to Australia became part of the couple's plan after Bibo took and passed his IELTS. Source: Bibo and Marian Santos
"We were serious about each other then. Marian knew I wanted to go back to working overseas. Luckily, she also had the same goal," Bibo shares.
Compromise
The couple moved to Melbourne at the end of 2013, with Marian sharing that she was lucky to work as a teacher right away.
"Parents were a bit wary of me in the beginning. I was from a different background and they didn't know me yet. But eventually, they saw the extra mile I took for the kids. They respected me and we became friends.
"In the Philippines, kids tend to be more skilled in literacy. They look at teachers as more of authority figures. Here, learning is more play-based. Term 1 is especially challenging - kids would rather run around in the playground."
The couple moved to Melbourne at the end of 2013, with Marian sharing that she was lucky to have been able to work as a teacher right away. Source: Marian Santos
She says this tested her ability to compromise.
"Coming from teaching in strict schools in the Philippines, I really had difficulty compromising. It took a few years for me to really master it."
While Marian had to compromise with her students, Bibo had to initially compromise with his career.
"I was recommended for work in a factory. I didn't know what kind of job it was, but I assumed it was admin work so I went to the factory wearing formal clothes," Bibo laughs.
While Marian had to compromise with her students, Bibo had to initially compromise with his career. Source: Bibo Santos
"We stopped on the factory floor. The manager gave me gloves. My first day at work I was wearing leather shoes!"
After doing factory work for almost a year, Bibo decided to return to healthcare and took a job in a nursing home.
The tutorial centre
"Marian and I were doing full-time work; but I was so used to my own parents having side hustles. I thought we should do the same," Bibo shares.
The idea for a side hustle came about after a chance encounter with another Filipino.
The Santos Family Source: Bibo and Marian Santos
"We met a Filipino grandmother riding public transportation from Sunshine to Highpoint. I told her I was a teacher and she mentioned that she had a grandson who needed help with his studies," Marian shares, adding, "We still mention her as the one who helped us start all this."
'All this' involved a tutorial service that began in their home and progressed to a proper centre in Sunshine and then Melton, catering to children from the ages of 4-9.
"Initially, most of our students were Filipinos. Now, 90% are from different cultural backgrounds," Bibo says.
All this involved a tutorial service that began in their home and progressed to a proper centre in Sunshine and then Melton. Source: Mesmerized Photography
Popular subjects have been phonics, writing and maths.
"Because of the pandemic, there has been a big learning gap unfortunately - especially with kids from prep. They've missed out on a lot, especially phonics and writing," Marian shares.
Aside from the learning gap, Marian, Bibo and the other tutors they employ have also had to contend with restrictions brought about by the pandemic.
Bibo and some young students Source: Mesmerized Photography
"Children have only returned onsite on October 6 following the 'Staged return to onsite learning for schools'; but the number of students is dependent on the size of the learning space," Bibo says.
Purpose over passion
Online or onsite, Bibo and Marian's ultimate goal for their students is for them to have a solid educational foundation.
Bibo shares, "Passion is overrated. What's more important is finding your purpose. For us, our purpose is to help mould our students while they're young.
"We are partners to parents. We follow up with them and update them on the progress of their kids. And their kids trust us not just with their education, but with their personal issues as well."
"We are partners to parents. We follow up with them and update them on the progress of their kids." Source: Mesmerized Photography
Marian agrees, sharing that the trust built is based on their belief that teaching isn't just about pedagogy, but also personality.
"You have to learn to speak their language. Take good care of them. Make learning fun and base it on what they like.
"As a parent, I understand panicking if your child doesn't seem to be studying or achieving; but keep at it. Early intervention is best - even if you just take 10-15 minutes a day to study.
"You have to learn to speak their language. Ask them questions. Take good care of them. Make learning fun and base it on what they like." Source: Mesmerized Photography
"It's when you go through the process that kids learn respect, how to problem solve and have a routine, how to meet deadlines and work hard. These are the skills they need to be successful in whatever they decide to do."
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