04/11/2025
We are proud of you
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She walks the same corridors, teaches the same lessons, and marks the same papers as any teacher would. Yet, in every word she speaks and every act of kindness she gives, Maβam Daniela breaks barriers many never see.
In the busy halls of Mabini National High School in Davao City, laughter and chatter echo between classes. At the center of it all stands Maβam Daniela, known for her brilliance, her warmth, and her quiet courage.
Behind that gentle smile is Dante Jr. A. Baliad, a transwoman teacher whose journey embodies faith, authenticity, and the transformative power of education.
Teaching had always been Danteβs dream, but for Maβam Daniela, it was also a path toward becoming her authentic self.
βI used to hide behind who people thought I should be, accepting as truth the supposed norms others expected me to follow,β she recalls. βBut every time I stood in front of my students, I realized that authenticity is one of the greatest ingredients in life. You canβt serve others fully if youβre not true to yourself.β
Teaching in the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) Track wasnβt just a career path for Maβam Daniela; it was her calling. Yet, before she could help students find confidence in the kitchen, she had to find her confidence in life.
Her journey was far from easy. She faced moments of doubt, quiet discrimination, and the struggle of being misunderstood. Still, she chose to rise, armed not with bitterness, but with kindness and resolve.
Every dish she teaches her students to prepare becomes a metaphor for resilience: measured with care, stirred with patience, and served with love.
Inside her classroom, students learn far more than culinary techniques. They learn empathy, discipline, and pride in their craft.
βMaβam Daniela willingly shares her skills and knowledge, especially in the tourism and hospitality industry,β says Grade 12 learner Jade Pastor. βBut she doesnβt just teach us how to cook. She teaches us to believe in ourselves. Because of her, weβve learned that success begins with confidence.β
Her work reflects DepEdβs commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive education, proving that learning flourishes where culture, respect, and acceptance coexist.
Guided by Paulo Freireβs concept of critical pedagogy, Maβam Daniela believes that education should be βa practice of freedom, where learners question, reflect, and act toward building a more equitable society.β
For her, teaching goes beyond the four walls of the classroom. Itβs about shaping compassionate thinkers and responsible citizens.
βBy nurturing empathy, equity, and critical thinking,β she shares, βI hope to help my students embrace their authentic selves while learning to respect and value others.β
Her story reminds us that education is not just about imparting skills; it is about shaping values and expanding hearts. Yet beyond every success story in her classroom lies a teacherβs quiet battle for self-acceptance and dignity.
βEvery time I see my students succeed, Iβm reminded why I stayed,β she says softly. βThe classroom is my home, and teaching is where I truly belong.β
For her learners, sheβs more than their Cookery teacher. She is a mentor, a confidante, and a living instructional material and lesson for courage.
Maβam Daniela continues to hope for the day when DepEd fully embraces LGBT-friendly policies for both teachers and students.
βIt would mark a transformative step toward equality, safety, and acceptance within our schools,β she shares, her words carrying both conviction and quiet yearning. βBy adopting and implementing inclusive policies, DepEd could affirm that education is not merely about academics. It is about building spaces where diversity is celebrated, authenticity is valued, and every learner is free to blossom into their truest self.β
Today, Maβam Daniela continues to redefine what it means to be an educator. Her life tells a powerful story β that excellence knows no gender, and compassion is the true measure of a teacherβs success.
In a world that constantly evolves and blossoms with diversity, Maβam Daniela hopes her learners will βrecognize the beauty of differences and approach others with compassion and open-mindedness.β
Her voice softens as she adds, βI wish to guide my students to become not only successful in their chosen paths but also kind, understanding, and socially responsible individualsβthose who uplift others as they move forward in life.β
Her journey, however, is more than that of a teacher; it is a living manifestation of courage and authenticity.
βI was born Dante,β she says with a proud smile, βbut I found my purpose as Maβam Daniela. And in the classroom, Iβve learned that the best thing you can teach is love.β
By Claide Kinneth A. Saludar
SDO Davao City Cluster 3 Information Officer
