This day was marked as the day for student-teachers’ conference for a common cause. Graduating education students from different universities, colleges and schools in the Bicol Region flocked at the Regent Hotel for this significant gathering.
As I glanced at the crowd composed by student-teachers wearing their practice teaching uniforms, teachers and guests, I came to realize that there are still a lot of students who follow the calling for teaching profession.
I was very fortunate that I have attended this conference. It is not just I would go home with a certificate that will add to my plus factors for job application (that is the reason for some people who attended seminars), but because I have met another person who would add up to my list of inspiration.
The first speaker who stood in front of the noble crowd was Dr. Josette Biyo. Look at her and you will find the simplicity of her repertoire as a teacher. She looks like ordinary and you wouldn’t think how this ordinary teacher made an extraordinary achievement in the field of teaching. She started from being a simple yet intact with power which is ready to detonate and make a difference.
With so many dedications to teaching profession, she came up deciding to stand above the globe and represent our country for the prestigious recognition for outstanding teacher. Of course, a teacher who teaches her students to develop social and environmental awareness leads the list.
She is not alone in celebrating her utmost achievement but the whole nation was overwhelmed by this recognition bringing the name of our country on top in the global arena. Now, a newly discovered minor planet between the boundaries of planet Earth and Mars was named Planet Biyo in recognition to a Filipino teacher. I am very proud to become a Filipino.
The story I liked most was the way she narrated her experiences during her presentation in front of judges for the prestigious competition. Although she was not technologically-advantaged, she had done her best to show off how a Filipino teacher stands for life.
The next stages are all about getting bored. We were divided into subject areas. Elementary student-teachers choose their preferred subject matter.
Here is the downfall. I choose to be with Science majors when I heard about demonstration. What comes on my mind is science demonstration which I can use in teaching. So, I seated near the resource speaker. I was wrong. It was all about lecture and she tackled a very complicated topic in science which is getting the acidity of a solution. Because of this, no matter how I listen to her, I never appreciate it since I was expecting for something I can use in my elementary teaching.
I transferred at the Mathematics majors. If the resource speaker in Science discussed complicated subject matter, then the resource speaker in Mathematics also got a very complex discussion for an elementary teacher. It is very hard to teach calculus or probability to elementary pupils. I was upset with it. We were not given an appropriate lecture.
When I passed at the English majors’ session, I appreciate little things. They can also be applied to elementary grade. However, the topic had been used already in teaching like that of story pyramid.
I am actually expecting for something NEW wherein when I went home and get back to school, I can apply it in my class.Anyway, I enjoyed the seminar. I would only thanks Dr. Biyo for a slice of inspiration.
I was worrying if it might degrade her dignity. She thanked me but I saw that there was something in her eyes I couldn’t read. The students were laughing so I commanded to stop insulting their teachers. I think it was not my fault why it happened. If I would correct her after the class, then the (wrong) concept will be imprint in the minds of the learners.
A student said, “Teacher na talaga si Sir.” But being humble, I told to stop. The words might be insulting in the part of the teacher.
When I seated at the back, she did not continue anymore the lesson. She just let the students copy what she had written on the board. After that, she left with a soft voice, “Thank you, Sir.” She can not look at my eyes, so I responded, “It is okay Ma’am. I must be the one to ask for apologize for what happen.”
The following day, she told me, “Thank you talaga, Sir. I really don’t know what the concept is. It is not in the book.” This means that she only rely on the book. If the book told her ‘blah… blah… blah…’ she has nothing to do but to teach the children according to what the book said.
Because of this, she always told me to help her during her discussion. It was okay for me. It is for the students to learn what is right.
It doesn’t happen only in Mathematics. When she taught Science, she was not confident on how she taught the subject matter as if she doubted her capability. At the end of the lesson, she asked me what additional information I can add. I just gave what I know based on what I have learned from my Science subject during my undergraduate years.
One thing I can conclude out this scenario. Even though we’re not perfect, we should still perceived ourselves as the powerful instrument of change. And, we are equipped with enough skills and knowledge that we will share to our students, the reason why people have to respect as an important person in the community. Let us admit the fact that sometimes we make mistakes; it is the reason why we ought to be a human being.
When we stand in front of the student, one factor of good classroom management depends on the teacher’s personality and professional quality. If the teacher lacks self-confidence and mastery of the subject matter; the students will definitely lose out their positive perception about their teacher.
This might be the worst experience I have ever had during my off-campus practice teaching. But I know that I’m in a right way. Perhaps, it would be the best learning for me as a teacher. If I will not strive hard to be the best what I can be, it will happen to me. A teacher must possess a good personal and professional quality as a key to success.
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