Why Teach?
When I was in high school, I was assigned to teach chemistry to my batchmates for a week because our teachers were on leave. I was one of the chosen student teachers. My chemistry teacher was really smart and humorous. She always integrates sensible jokes to our discussion and it makes us more motivated to listen. From then, I enjoyed teaching and decided to take up education. Luckily I passed the entrance test at Philippine Normal University, the only school where I took the test.
During the first meeting with the professors, they normally asked us to state why we decided to take education. Only few in my section were 100% decided. I was one of them who really wanted to become a teacher. The rest were influenced by their parents, friends, and relatives. They don’t have a choice but as the school years passed by they learn to love teaching.
Teaching is a vocation, a calling from God. I graduated in a private sectarian school run by the sisters at the Sisters of Mary School founded by Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz of Washington D. C.. All of us were scholars. We were there to study, pray, work, and play.
When I was studying at the Sisters of Mary School, I told myself that if I will not be one of the sisters or nuns rather I will become a teacher. In this manner, I can be an instrument of God to other.
Teaching is not just teaching the students academically but also teaching them how to become good servants of God. And it happened, I am now a teacher. I will continue propagating good fruits to these students and will not stop informing/teaching them new trends and issues and learning styles.
Teaching takes a lot of courage.
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During my first year of teaching, it was a year of hesitation. I don’t have that much courage to face all the trials and difficulties I encountered. But because I viewed every circumstances positively I was able to handle successfully each concerns from students, parents, colleagues and superiors.
My Role as a Teacher
T = transfer knowledge in an interesting manner where learning will flourish
E = educate the young cognitively, emotionally,
physically, socially and spiritually
A = allow students to grow and learn at their own pace
C = create a positive and a friendly environment and
connects learning to real life situation
H = hone students’ creativity to become critical
thinkers and problem solvers
E = encourage full participation in all activities
R = respect each students’ idea and give immediate
feedback
I am a teacher....
I love teaching... and
I won’t stop learning...
Seminar - Workshop: A Community Service in Bataan
Teaching is a noble profession. I have been teaching for almost 11 years now and I could say that the journey I had in Bataan was indeed a very memorable experience. How could a teacher like me hesitate to share my knowledge and skills in teaching mathematics involving mathematical investigation in the primary level?
Last March 14, 2016, I asked permission from our school if I could be excused from my class but I was not allowed to be absent because the said seminar – workshop is scheduled on a Saturday.
So, right after my work I hurriedly left the school and rode with a colleague for me to get out of the village. I rode on a jeepney going to Pasay and took a bus going to Olongapo. I travelled by myself in going to Dinalupihan, Bataan. I left the school at 3:45 and reached Victory Liner in Pasay at 5:00 p.m. It was so traffic along the EDSA, so I exited Manila around 8:00 pm then reached Bataan at 10:30 p.m. I did not mind the traffic and other things that hinder me in going to Bataan. I had my dinner at double happiness which is like 20 – 30 minutes away from my destination.
When I reached the place, one of my classmates picked me up in the plaza and escorted me to our lodging house. Everybody was ready for the critique session. Each one of us who were present delivered our presentation to be improved/critiqued by our project leader and adviser, Dr. Golla. There were some comments given by our professor, and so we made some revisions. I admire Dr. G. for she is a good mentor. She taught us how to become a good resource person/speaker. She was very honest to say what our strengths and weakness are. I realized that
I still have so many things to learn and to know as a teacher and as a graduate student to bring out the best in me.
When the seminar work – shop started, I felt mixed emotions. I felt nervous because most of the participants from selected public schools in Bataan were mostly seasoned teachers. I could count a few who were newbies in the academe. I felt somehow scared because I might be giving them wrong information. But I prayed to God that I must and will deliver my part with conviction and confidence. Before I started my presentation we had an energizer about Memory Game which they could use or have it in their classrooms. It took some 4 – 5 tries before they could get the rule of the game.
And so during my presentation about conducting a mathematical investigation in the primary level particularly on teaching comparing fractions, I felt I was with my students. Everybody listened well, cooperated in the activity and participated in the discussion (question and answer part). Some volunteered to show their work. I could say that these group of participants were very open and ready to take new challenges.
I have witnessed how they give their opinions to some topics during our open forum. Some would appear very intellectual and sensible about their ideas. We are now catering 21st learners, the technology is within the reach. So the challenge now for the participants is how to address this need with limited resources they have in their community.
I have learned from them that they are already teaching Math using two languages (their native language/mother tongue and the second language, English.) This is to address the language barrier students are experiencing in understanding Math. But how would this help them in answering their assessments which is written in English?
Would there be a significant difference between learning the subject matter in bilingual approach to have a better result on improving their mathematical understanding? We might consider this as an action research to check and find out the answer to my question.
The seminar – workshop we had was actually a form of community service too. We wanted to share our blessings to them. They thought that it was funded by some sponsors but they were surprised because all the expenses were from our pocket. They even wanted to extend the seminar work – shop into three days so their certificates will be credited. The Department of Education requires public teachers to have at least 3 days seminar to be given a point in their service credit.
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Thus, the experience I had is incomparable. I gained a bit of self – actualization. It was an achievement and a fulfilling experience to note that once in my life I faced these teachers and acted as their mentor just for a single moment. I would love again to be in this kind of endeavor.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” – Luke 6:40