MTOT for G10 in Araling Panlipunan: An Impression
I
packed my things quite late due to some hesitation because I had not been
feeling well due to the summer heat. A week prior to the Mass Training of
Teachers (MTOT) I diligently took my
medicine to be assured that I would be A-Okey.
The
early morning bus to Iloilo was cramped with teachers attending the MTOT. Familiar faces boarded the Ceres Liner and together
with my two co-teachers we took the time sleeping to catch the lost hours of a
good night sleep.
Proceeding
to St. Paul’s University, we were greeted by courteous and beautiful looking
young students who directed us to our places of concern. Things went on smoothly.
At
the Opening Program, one line that came from Bro. Armin Luistro struck me: “Sow
the seed of education in every child, nurture it and let it grow”. For me who had personal objections and dilemma
about the K-12 Program got caught with my responsibility as a teacher. Silently, I was questioning myself, “what is
my business attending the Mass Training when I myself am not convinced with the
Program?”
After
lunch we proceeded to our respective Session Rooms. At the start, we were joking that our group
belongs to the Senior Citizens because 85% of us were 40 years up. Following the notion that elder teachers are
inattentive and uncooperative during sessions, the situation turned
contrary. This challenged me more
because our Section was so active that I have to do my best to cope up with the
activities. A stroke of luck was with me
because my facilitators: Miss Pinky Divinagracia of St. Paul’s U, Mrs. Angie
Mamon of Iloilo NHS and Mr. Christian Graña of Cabatuan NCHS, were excellent
and that was a plus factor for me to learn more. My being chosen as Group
Leader challenged me to get the most out of the sessions, considering that this
is my second Mass Training ever attended since 1984.
As
the sessions progressed, I was further enlightened with the essence and beauty
of the program. I know there are
inadequacies especially in the teaching and learning guides, but for me, I find
it normal in the struggling Philippine Educational System run by a government that
is tainted with corruption and fiscal mismanagement.
Unknowingly,
my doubts turned into enthusiasm knowing that there is fulfillment of my dream
to teach beyond the context of the book, yet, stay within the curricular framework
and process learning by escaping from the structured classroom setting. During the “Walk Through” sessions, we had a
chance to get hold of the Teacher’s and Learner’s Guides. I drew a wide smile on my face as I browsed
over the pages. Some of the new lessons
were not new to me because I have taken them up years ago. Through experience
and the type of students I teach, I have learned to expand my lessons to suit to
the needs of my students who enter big schools.
It was a bit tiring to go the extra mile but when a former student of
mine who took up Doctoral Degree in Education told me that she made use of my
lesson in taxation, I felt gratified.
After all, lessons that are taught and made use are lessons learned and
that is the gauge of effective teaching.
Moreover, I was vindicated because years back I was once branded as teaching
Economics differently and was warned to strictly follow the PSSLC. I just let this warning fall on deaf ears. This was rooted when I started to explain
Economic concepts with the use of Statistical and Mathematical operations,
which to me is the best tool to effectively explain some economic concepts. I do not say that I am a very good teacher, I
am just trying to teach difficult lessons in the most effective way.
A
21st century teacher is not a teacher who lets his/her students memorize
long lines nor lets his/her students copy pages and pages of notes, but rather
lets lessons be translated to real life situations to make him intellectually
capable, productive, responsive, and committed to create a livable and decent
life. We do not have to make absence of
ICT or lack of learning materials as excuses not to meet the qualities of
a 21st century teacher. In
the absence of modern technology, we have to adopt to the process of
localization to teach effectively.
Teachers are masters of ingenuity, teachers will always have a way of
doing things.
In
another context, I see the 21st century teacher as a partner in breaking
the chain of ignorance and depravity, thus eradicating poverty towards a free
and humane society.
Overall
assessment? The training was efficiently managed: schedules ran on time; food
was healthy and sufficient; session rooms were conducive; dormitories were
convenient; facilitators were competent; materials adequate except for the
Teachers’ and Learners’ Guides; session topics were appropriate and
essential.
Another
salient experience I got was my opportunity to meet new friends in the
profession, share experiences and have an understanding of the problems met by
teachers in the field. I also had the
chance to share my powerpoint presentations for lessons in Economics and
receive a bag of mangoes in return.
Six
days may not be enough to swallow all, digest and assimilate the competencies and
the learning processes needed to implement K-12 in Grade 10. At least the teachers will not grope in the
dark as to how they are going to implement the program. Teachers are agents of change but before
change is materialized, we teachers should also have a grasp of what we are
supposed to teach and what outcomes we expect to have.
Admittedly,
we will not have the same responses and outcomes as we see in the videos shown
to us during the training. We have differences
in culture, social orientation, curricular facilities, teacher preparation,
family background, sources and resources for learning among others. However, change can be a slow and tedious process. Change is done to suit to the demands of the
time. The change which we hope to achieve
is not for local consumption but rather for global competence, that is, to translate academic preparation for
economic, political, cultural and social advantage in our community and the
world. Teachers nobly nurture graduates
for the Philippines and the world.
Final
analysis : GIVE K-12 a GO; It is NOW,
not LATER.
Hbandrada/05232015
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