The ‘True Colors’ of Dr. Nornie Micayabas: 6 Interesting Things About Her

As Dr. Nornie B. Micayabas closes a chapter on her professional life, her colleagues at Bukidnon State University have come together to express profound praise, gratitude, and fond memories in tribute to her 43 years of academic service and enduring friendship.

It is impossible to fully capture her incredible four-decade journey at BukSU, but here are six interesting facts about Ma’am Nornie that highlight what made her truly one of a kind and exceptional.

She First Taught at Bukidnon National High School

Ma’am Nornie built an impressive professional career at Bukidnon State University, starting as an Instructor in 1981 and retiring as a Professor VI in 2024.

However, her first teaching position was at the adjacent campus of Bukidnon National High School from 1980 to 1981. Her time at BNHS was brief, lasting only a year as a probationary secondary teacher before she transferred to the Secondary Laboratory School of BukSU.

Thirty-Six Years as a High School Teacher

When Ma’am Nornie retired from BukSU on July 12, she held the position of Program Chair for the PhD in Instructional Systems Design at the Graduate School. However, she dedicated more than 30 years of her career to teaching at the SLS. She is likely one of the longest-serving high school teachers at BukSU, a role that holds a special place in her heart.

“I always consider my students as living clay, whose aspirations, dreams, and futures depend on me to nurture them. I truly enjoyed high school teaching because our high school students at BukSU are very smart and intelligent. My favorite experience was the daily teaching. I loved and appreciated the faces of my students, showing me that they understood the lessons I was delivering to them,” she said.

Teacher to Dr. Joy, Dr. Lincoln, and Sir Dante

Ma’am Nornie has taught generations of students at both the SLS and the Graduate Schools. Many of her former students now hold key leadership positions in various fields, including politics, business, and academia. Notable among her students are University President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, Vice President for Administration and Finance Mr. Dante S. Victoria Jr., and Vice President for Culture, Arts, Sports, and Student Services Dr. Lincoln V. Tan.

“Having been your student during my high school years—Ma’am Nornie was Ms. Baltazar at that time—I can attest to the profound impact you have had on my life,” shared Dr. Mirasol. “You were my teacher in consumer math, and you are the reason I became interested in the Mathematics of Investment. When I first came here at BukSU, my first assignment was to teach Mathematics of Investment to Business students.”

Recipient of Scholarships Abroad

In 1990, Ma’am Nornie took a year-long hiatus from teaching at the SLS to obtain her Diploma in Curriculum Administration from Deakin University in Victoria, Australia. Her time abroad was not only a professional journey but also a period of personal growth, profoundly impacting her as a mother to her two special children. “The academic pursuit of my scholarship in Australia was not truly God’s primary purpose for me. He brought me there to gain insights into my children’s conditions,” she said.

In 2022, Ma’am Nornie once again went overseas for further studies, having been awarded the highly coveted Fulbright Scholarship for the Advanced Research and University Lecturing Program at the State University of New York. “If you are a Fulbright scholar, they believe you are one of the brightest among Filipinos,” she said.

Country’s Outstanding Teacher

Just 14 years into her teaching career, Ma’am Nornie was honored as one of the Outstanding Filipino Teachers by the Metrobank Foundation in 1994. This recognition affirmed that teaching was her life’s calling.

“Actually, I love cooking,” she said when asked if teaching was her first passion. “Nutrition was my first choice. But I realized that I was meant to be a teacher because it runs in my blood, with both my parents being educators. Winning the Metrobank Award as an Outstanding Filipino Teacher made me realize that I was on the right path, that I should be a teacher.”

The Walking Encyclopedia

Her time at the SLS is best remembered for her role as a mathematics and biology instructor. Many of her former students fondly recall the terrarium projects and dissecting frogs to study muscle anatomy. She would enter the classroom with just a piece of chalk in hand, delivering science lectures from the heart without the aid of any textbooks.

 “I will always remember your moving exams and memorizing the periodic table back when you were my teacher in high school,” shared former student-turned-colleague Dr. Cecille Marie T. Improgo.

Because of her profound knowledge of her subjects, she earned the title “The Walking Encyclopedia” from her students.

“In the classroom, I really enjoyed teaching because I employed a critical-thinking style, where I didn’t need to bring anything. I was branded as ‘The Walking Encyclopedia,’ perhaps due to the many courses I attended and the experiences I had. I needed to contextualize my lessons to make them practical for my students,” said Ma’am Nornie.

Since she was young, Ma’am Nornie was already an academic achiever. She graduated as class valedictorian in both elementary and high school and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Bukidnon State College with honors as a cum laude.

With Ma’am Nornie, there’s truly no such thing as closing a chapter, as she will forever remain in the hearts and memories of her students and colleagues. As the lyrics of her favorite song, “True Colors,” express: “Just call me up, ’cause I will always be there.”

Her presence and support will continue to inspire all who have had the privilege of knowing her—as a mentor, colleague, friend, and family member. (BukSU-Information Unit)