It was Friday. After all those weeks that we failed to meet her due to her busy appointment, Dr. Rosalina Pila, the Principal of Milaor Central School and, at the same time, the District Office-OIC, finally gave us the first sign of good start.
We were given our designated grade level according to alphabetical order; so, I was assigned again in Grade II under the advisory of Mrs. Claro. When she tried to know our home address, she found out that most of us came from remote municipalities or towns. She commented that we should not be assigned in one school only. Instead, we should be given a privileged where we want to take our off-campus teaching. Probably, it’s an advantage for us to teach in the school where we live. I get the point but it doesn’t matter. The point here is that we were trained to be assigned in a far flung area which actually happened in the real-life scenario of a teacher. We are the one who choose where we teach and with what kind of people, we move through the places where a competent teacher is in need even if you have to cross a mountain or sea just to get there, it’s about commitment.
In a moment, she decided to transfer us in San Jose Elementary School. After a phone call, Dr. Arlene Mabeza came to her office and accompanied us in our new field of teaching experience. Later on, we were introduced to our designated cooperating teacher. I was then assigned to Mrs. Josephine V. Antonio.
Then, I found myself standing in front of the Grade II-J pupils, introducing myself and building another picture of Sir James in the class of almost twice as I had in my In-campus Practice Teaching at Naga College Foundation.
I don’t know what kind of teacher I would portray to my new pupils. I don’t have any clue yet since I don’t know yet these children. When Ma’am Phine had given me chance to handle the class for a while, I took the first step to know the names of my pupils. We had getting-to-know-you activity. After introducing myself and told them some of my experiences like In-campus teaching and some elementary school life, it followed by letting them introduce and say something about them.
I had noticed that once Friday comes, it is a habit for them not to go to school. Very few come to school. It seems that ‘no-class-on-Friday habit’.
In the afternoon, I introduced an action song and chants which I and my previous students enjoyed most. I was trying to find out whether action song and chants will work out for this group of learners.
As a nature of children, they’d loved it. Hence, I always use it to motivate them. I have tried to find out whether storytelling will be affective for my pupils. I remember the tie when I had my In-Campus Teaching, my students really hate story telling activity even at vacant hours. Instead of listening to story read or original composed, they would just play. The next day I never use to ask them if they want something worth listening for, like children story; for I know I would just waste my time and effort.
When I stand in front of the class, trying to be confident, I asked them “Do you want me to tell a simple story?” I was amazed how they response, having their eyes up and shout “Yes!” I saw how they were so excited to listen to a story.
The story I had told to them is ‘Ayan na si Bolet Bolate’. It is about physical hygiene especially washing one’s hand with soap before eating to avoid having a big ‘BOLET BOLATE’ in the stomach.
Since it was an impromptu storytelling activity, I drew pictures on the board to enrich my presentation. The pupils said, I’m good in drawing’. After the activity, they’d loved it. However, they still want more. Since I have nothing to tell, I just share my life experiences where they can get lessons like valuing time, study habit, etc.
As the literary editor of the school publication and as a writer, I want to a teacher who teaches children to appreciate literature.
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