CFNN Reporter Gabriella Umanzor

To welcome in the new year we begin again with Teacher of the Week. At Cape Fear, we have an amazing math staff, and this week we are honoring Mrs. Balintec as Teacher of the Week! 

She has been a dedicated teacher at Cape Fear for three years. She began with teaching Math 2 and is currently teaching Math 3. Before coming to Cape Fear, Mrs. Balintec taught in her home country, the Philippines, at a private school where her subjects were general and business math. Before becoming a teacher, she thought of becoming a reporter because she liked the aspects of learning about others through conversations. Still, she decided that that path was not for her because she didn’t enjoy being in the limelight.

Although being a reporter wasn’t her path, she shifted her enjoyment of speaking to others to apply it to her teaching. In the classroom, she goes out of her way to help individuals who may be struggling and creates bonds with students. Her gateway to becoming a teacher was present very early in life. In an anecdote she shared, Mrs. Balintec described how when she was younger in her home village, she would play “teacher” with other kids from her neighborhood. Her sister would encourage her and tell her that one day she would make a great teacher. The idea further blossomed in her mind as teachers in her high school recommended that she become a teacher. What truly sparked the passion in her heart was the inspiration from her teachers and wanting to to display the same care and compassion to future students that she experienced from her teachers and family.

Mrs. Balintec in the Classroom

In the classroom, Mrs. Balintec does open lectures and then allows students to work on assignments independently. During this time, students can come up to her to ask further questions; she likes to teach students individually, as she believes it is more effective. 

“Mrs. Balintec is very patient, listens, and is extremely helpful. And she has the best sense of humor making class enjoyable,” shared former student Kolbie Brown. “Another aspect of her is that she loves her job through the care she demonstrates to her students.”

When correcting a student’s mistakes, she encourages them to find the correct answer themselves. When she notices that students are not as confident as he or she should be, she tries to boost their morale by spreading words of affirmation like “You can do it!” and “Mistakes are part of the learning process.”

“During individual work, Mrs. Balintec always makes it her mission to help us individually which helped me improve in math,” says previous Math 3 student Francisco Rodriguez. “Mrs. Balintec encourages mistakes as she believes it is the best way to learn math.”

Disrespect is something every teacher has to deal with in class and Mrs. Balintec handles herself with class decorum. 

“Despite the disrespect Mrs. Balintec faced in class, it never discouraged her from teaching and her kindness never waivered,” says Math 3 Honors student Rama Elhatto. “In class, she radiated patience and compassion regardless of the actions of the students.”

Happiness Found in Teaching

Mrs. Balintec has always enjoyed her profession but there are certain aspects of it that make her day. What makes a good day for her is when she believes that her students are leaving her class to understand the materials. She feels accomplished as well as proud of her students. She also enjoys the small chit-chats she has with students or previous students. These small conversations demonstrate to Mrs. Balintec that there are students at Cape Fear who care for their teachers and that she can connect with those students.

 Above all else, her biggest joys come from the stories her daughter tells her about her day at school. Her daughter is a Junior at Cape Fear and an international student. Her biggest fear was that, due to her differences, students would be cruel to her; however, the exact opposite occurred. She loves and is grateful that her daughter is enjoying her time at Cape Fear. The biggest thing that Mrs. Balintec would like to say to the Cape Fear community is, “Treat everyone with respect and kindness regardless of what is happening in your day.” 

Congratulations, Ms. Balintec. You are a great teacher and an outstanding representative for Cape Fear High School.