It was a very exciting and extraordinary day for us, student teachers. All groomed. We were all electrified by the thrill and excitement for this first challenge on becoming a teacher.
We had our meeting with the Basic Education Department (BED) Principal, Mr. Ramon Nuiz. Then, we were turned over to Ma’am Melvi Briones, BED Academic Supervisor. It was the moment of assigning us our respective cooperating teachers for the 1st two weeks and second shifting for the In-campus practice teaching.
“You’re so humble,” said Ma’am Melvi. She assigned me to Mrs. Marien L. Bite (Grade 2); and then, to Mrs. Jacklyn Sue Papica (Grade 1) for the 2nd shifting.
I don’t have enough background about Ma’am Bite. All I know, she was a new elementary teacher and we had our classroom observation in her class for our FS 4 subject. She was innovative.
Unlike Ma’am Bite, I already know Ma’am Jacky. Since I started observing classes for my Field Study subjects, I always observe her class. That is why I am very much familiar of her classroom management, teaching skills and her personal qualities.
We visited the Office of the Elementary Academic Supervisor, Mrs. Lourdes Ruth Abawag. She oriented us about our role as student teachers. She also gave us some information regarding our lesson plan and our responsibilities.
Then, we parted our way as we went to our respective cooperating teacher. Upon approaching entering the room of Grade 2, Ma’am Bite asked me, “Are you the student teacher assigned here?” I nodded and smiled. “You know how to dance? You are going to help me teaching them for their modern dance presentation.
I was shocked. What I did was, I took it as the first challenge.
She oriented me about her rules in the classroom. “I am strict but you will learn from me.” Then I told her, “I want to become strict too, in such a way that when I stand, I command respect, but I make sure that my pupils will learn.” I also told her that I have this hearing impairment that might affect my hearing performance while teaching the class.
I came back at one in the afternoon. She let me introduced myself to the Grade 2 pupils. From that first stand, I give them the impression that I am a teacher.
The pupils approached me and asked everything about me. One thing I want to build in their mind that I need to be strict for them to learn; but I am still good at heart and approachable.
Here we go. The unexpected event happened. I felt like I was a trainer. Ma’am Yen showed me the steps for the Poker Face by Lady Gaga. There were eight girls. I assisted them in their entrance, formations and counting.
Of course, don’t think that I was there only to instruct them what to do. I have to dance, too. I showed the right steps and body movement. Later on, we conceptualized the Poker Face dance.
I wanted to laugh that time. Laugh at myself since I was dancing again. I remember my elementary years.
I had been a contestant for a modern dance when I was a Kab Scout. My dance song was A Child Inside and I won the first place. I was also a folk dancer especially for Pastores Festival. I stopped and lost my inclination in dancing when I was in high school.
The Grade 2 dancers were very eager to learn that is why it is not difficult for me to train them. All I have to do is always reminding them to make their body as sexy as they giggles.
A pupil from other grade came inside the room, and then asked me, “Are you the DI?” I laughed and thought, “Did I look like a Dance Instructor?”
After that, we rested for a while. The pupils went home. O and Ma’am Yen had a short conversation. She told me her student life at USI and also being the only student teacher for elementary level. She was good in extracurricular activity like joining dance competitions representing her department. She took her practice teaching at Naga Central School where she experienced the great challenge of being a student teacher.
Supposed to be, it was the first day of observation. I have to seat down at the back and observed the teacher’s teaching styles and how they addressed the students’ needs and behaviors. It was not actually an observation but trying to take part in the class.
The next day, I will start fixing the bulletin board for the classroom structuring. According to Ma’am Yen, she was not doing it for her own benefit, it was a great help for me to learn and understand how life of an elementary teacher gets through.
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