During the day, 35-year-old Ronald Dalmacio works in Mason City classrooms helping K-12 students as a substitute para. At night, he takes on the role of a professor and teaches architecture to third-year college students in the Philippines.
“The nature of the jobs is different, but it’s mainly supporting kids,” said Dalmacio, sitting on a stool in a circle, talking to the Riverhawk Press staff. Dalmacio, who has been a part of the Mason City School District for a year, came in for an interview with leche flan, a Filippino desert, in one hand and Scooby Doo cards in another.
“My wife told me to bring them,” says Dalmacio.
But school became more important after high school. He became the first person in his family to graduate with a Master’s Degree. He soon learned life is filled with unexpected paths to take.
“Everything that is happening in high school can drastically change in college, and it might change even more when you graduate from college,” says Dalmacio.
While living in the Philippines, he began working at a college called Colegio de Muntinlupa, where he wrote the curriculum, designed the classroom, hired teachers, and recruited students. He was also one of the deans at the college.
“The mayor hired me to set up the architecture school,” says Dalmaco, “I was the youngest dean.”
After working there for years, he was faced with a challenging decision between his job and his wife, who had an opportunity to work overseas as a nurse at Mercy One in Mason City.
“My wife’s parents have lived here [in the United States] for a very long time, and it’s her dream to be with them,” says Dalmacio.
Dalmacio is currently teaching 40 students in the Philippines landscape architecture as a part-time online faculty member. He teaches two nights a week.
“I would probably spend 3 to 4 hours checking their stuff, giving instructions, lecturing, but the rest of the six hours I give it to them.”
“They design houses and buildings, that’s their general skill.”
Life continues to open up new opportunities and roles for Dalmacio and his wife as they welcome their now 1-month-old son.
“Actually, I chose this [para] job to learn how to deal with kids in anticipation of our future son,” said Delmacio, “What’s nice about working as a subpara is the flexibility of it all. Just being able to help them in any way makes me feel happy.”
Dalmacio and his small family are planning on moving to California next year. He states that once they move, he will make a more definite decision on his career. He does hope to pursue his career in the academic field and settle into a more stable job.
“I’m planning to work there full time as a para or get my certification as a teacher,” says Dalmacio. “My prospect of the future is to work full time.”
In the meantime, he says his time spent as a para here at MC schools is helping him learn more about the school system and the job itself. “I guess one good sign that you’re in the right place is when you enjoy it, whatever it is.”
“There are options, and it doesn’t have to be scary.”
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