In the recently concluded September 2024 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) for the Elementary Level, Nova Lyzza Ejorcadas, a proud graduate of Biliran Province State University (BiPSU), with a degree of Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, ranked 4th nationwide with an impressive rating of 93.40%.

As a member of the Batch 2024, Nova's achievement is a proof of her hard work and the solid foundation provided by BiPSU’s educational program. She joins the ranks of seven other topnotchers from BiPSU, making her the fifth topnotcher from the School of Teacher Education (STED).

A Surprising Victory

When asked how she felt upon discovering her ranking, Nova shared her initial disbelief. “To be honest, I was really surprised since I had been bracing myself for the worst for the past months. It’s like everything was so surreal,” she admitted.

Despite the uncertainty that troubled her during the lead-up to the exam, Nova expressed her gratitude to God for answering her prayers.

Though her path to achieving this was filled with challenges, Nova maintained her focus and expressed gratitude for the entire journey.

Recalling her review experience, Nova recounted how she learned to be independent and devoted herself entirely to studying and praying. She embraced the opportunity to build new friendships and leaned on her faith, trusting in God’s plan.

“Learning to be independent in the city, devoting my whole time to studying and praying, getting to befriend and know a lot of people, and having to trust everything to God were my unforgettable moments during the review,” she shared.

Like many students preparing for such an important exam, Nova faced some hurdles. However, she counted herself fortunate that the challenges were minimal.

"I just had a bit of a problem with finding a place to stay the night before the exam, but everything worked out in the end," she recalled. She also narrated that during the exam, she struggled with a cough, which made concentrating even harder. Yet, Nova remained resilient, and despite the discomfort, she felt the exam went well overall.

In Choosing her career path 

Nova shared that when she first graduated from Senior High School at Almeria National High School, she had no idea about the Early Childhood Education program. "To be honest, I didn’t know about this program when I graduated from SHS. It wasn’t even on my mind because I was undecided about what I wanted. It was during the pandemic, and my mother encouraged me to take a program at BiPSU because it was safer than going far. That’s when I decided to take Early Childhood Education, hoping my mother, who’s an elementary public school teacher, could guide me, and I was also curious about what it felt like to handle kindergarten learners," she recalled.

Motivated by her mother’s suggestion and a curiosity about handling kindergarten learners, Nova decided to pursue Early Childhood Education.

Over time, she came to love the program and realized that it was where she was meant to be. Nova expressed that she truly believed she was placed in the BECED program for a reason, as she grew more passionate about it and discovered her true calling along the way.

When asked about her plans of entering the university , Nova is still praying for guidance on her next steps. She shared that she is feeling uncertain about whether to pursue further studies at the university or to explore and apply what she has learned in a real classroom with children. "I will also consult with my family to help me with my decisions," she added.

A Humble Expectation

Did Nova expect to top the exam? The answer was a resounding no. “Not at all,” she said. For Nova, the goal was always to do her best for  those who supported her. Her success is not just about the top ranking; it’s about honoring the sacrifices made by others and accepting the path she was meant to follow.

Nova’s gratitude extended to her alma mater, BiPSU, and its administration, especially Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr whose leadership she greatly admired. 

"Thank you so much, BiPSU! I can't be more grateful for all the experiences and knowledge that the BiPSU administration headed by Dr. Cañezo has provided me with. Truly, BiPSU is a university worthy of much praise. Hail, Biliran’s pride!” she exclaimed.

A Heartfelt Message to Her Teachers

Nova’s journey would not have been possible without the guidance of her teachers, particularly those from the School of Teacher Education and Development (STED) headed by the current dean, Dr. Maribel N. Zipagan. She expressed her gratitude with a heartfelt message: 

“Thank you so much for all of your passion and love for teaching. All your hard work has helped achieve not just mine but everyone’s dreams too. To the STED faculty, our achievements are also yours. Thank you!,” she added.

Words of Wisdom for Future LET Takers

To those preparing to take the LET in the future, Nova offered valuable advice: “Set your goal and focus on it. Before you start your review, know yourself and create a schedule that you will adhere to no matter what. Believe in yourselves, stay humble, and most importantly, keep praying for God’s guidance and grace before, during, and after the review and examination. Never lose sight of everyone who sacrificed and supported you since day one. Laban, future LPTs!,” she exclaimed.

Nova’s success story is one of dedication, faith, and gratitude—a true inspiration for future educators. Congratulations Nova, for bringing pride and honor to Biliran Province State University!

#WoWBiPSU