My 10:00 PM Thoughts on Distance Learning

Never had I imagined that our education would drastically shift from face-to-face into distance and virtual learning because of this COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, in the past, I was quite envisioning that we would really transitioning into a technology-mediated teaching and learning scenarios, but not in this hastily and very frustrating way. The digital divide in our country is so real that we cannot totally rely on virtual distance learning alone, knowing that many learners do not have online access. It is not just really equitable. Good thing is that the Department of Education offered different modalities so that learners with totally no online access can somehow continue their learning with the help of Self-Learning Modules (SLMs). But is it fair, knowing that there are learners who have 24/7 online access and all the gadgets and technology tools at their disposal to participate in online classes and constantly communicate with their teachers? I just feel sad for these learners who were deprived of these technology tools because of poverty. In our city (at Valenzuela), we are fortunate to have Rex Gatchalian, as our visionary and vibrant city mayor, who found a way to lend distance learning tablets for all the Valenzuelano learners, who do not have gadgets to watch livestreaming, video lessons, and participate in follow-up sessions. The tablet they borrowed even has a free SIM card with free internet load. 

This distance and virtual learning modalities we are all in right now would somehow continue until everyone is vaccinated against the virus. We can just all hope and pray that we will surpass this trying time early this year, knowing the vaccines are soon to be rolled out next month. Meanwhile, what we can do is just to still give our very best as their virtual and distance learning teacher, extend more and more patience for those who cannot comply with our prescribed tasks and outputs, and practice the art and science of time management, because in this work-from-home setup, we all need to know when to start and when to stop working. Make time for your self-care, because your mental health also matters.

This was during our prerecording session for DepEd NCR's Video Lesson Project

 

The K to 12 National Training of Trainers (VisMin Cluster)

After the success of our NTOT in Luzon Cluster, we all went home to relax a bit and prepare for the NTOT for the VisMin Cluster. The two-day rest was never enough, but for the Filipino children, we needed to prepare again for a flight going to Ecotech, Cebu City, where the NTOT for Visayas and Mindanao Cluster was held.

It was afternoon of April 20, at NAIA Terminal 2, I met the EPP Training Team again. Everyone was excited and thankful for a good weather condition. And I was like a million times more excited than them because this was actually my first-ever flight (I am blushing now ha-ha).

We boarded at exactly 3:25 PM and our plane took off at exactly 4:15 PM. 

Photo op before we boarded :D

When Dr. Rogel learned that this was my first time, he insisted that I should seat at the window side for me to enjoy the view. He even reminded me to take pictures for souvenirs, and so I did:

We arrived at Mactan International Airport at exactly 5:20 PM and from there we were fetched by an official shuttle to Ecotech Center, wherein we will stay for the rest of the training. The same program of activities. The participants were gathered for a plenary session for the opening program and video presentations of Secretary Luistro’s message and Undersecretary Ocampo’s updates about K to 12.

The participants for EPP were housed in the Applied Nutrition Center (ANC), so that our training team still needed to travel from Ecotech to ANC through the official shuttle they provided us. This was the difficult part, the shuttle was scheduled to fetch us every 6:00 AM sharp. We needed to wake up so early because of this call time. Thank God, because I was never late and thank you also to Sir Noni, my roommate, who sometimes served as my living alarm clock. LOL

All the training sessions went well. We were informed by the NEAP Training Evaluation Team that EPP-ICT Group performed great as based on the training evaluation they designed on-line. We received a lot of compliments from the participants. To God be the glory. Although, there were still some suggestions for improvement, particularly on the time allotment for each learning episode. They hoped for more time. Perhaps, we could still improve the session guides by capturing all the essential topics within the required time allotment.

The NTOT for Visayas and Mindanao cluster was also a success! We were all thankful because we were able to echo, in the loudest possible way, how to properly implement the K to 12 curriculum. The trainers for the Mass Training of Teachers were now equipped to run the same sessions and guide the classroom teachers in optimizing the use of the Learners’ Materials and Teachers’ Guides, utilizing different teaching strategies applicable for the 21^st century learners and performing effective classroom assessments.

The K to 12 National Training of Trainers (Luzon Cluster)

Three days before the National Training of Trainers (NTOT), I had put my shoulder to the wheel in finalizing our session guides and slide presentations. I studied the topics assigned to me, which was about Teaching Strategies. I even bought a book about teaching strategies so that I could revisit the theories, approaches and strategies in teaching, and searched the net for the current trends about pedagogy in the 21^st century. I made my script and prompts for my talk. I also prepared an outline of the whole session.

It was like over-thinking and preparing exaggeratedly , but I considered it a normal thing for someone who would experience to become a chief trainer for the first time in a national level training, with participants who were officials in their schools or divisions. I really took this task seriously.

The night before I leave for the NTOT Luzon Cluster, I really prayed hard for strength, wisdom and confidence to effectively facilitate my sessions. Honestly, I’m having nightmares about being a chief trainer, like failing to facilitate the learning session or dealing with a challenging participant. But I would just console myself with prayers for I know that God is our great comforter. He will be there for me to support me in this enormous undertaking.

I left our home last April 11, 2015 for Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City, where the NTOT for Luzon Cluster was held.  I arrived at exactly 12:30 in the afternoon. It was Day 0 of the training, many participants were already at the administration office for setting in and waiting to be accommodated.

There was a plenary session that was held in Day 1 (April 12), wherein we were all welcomed by the Bureau of Elementary Education. The participants also watched the video message of DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro and the K to 12 Updates by Undersecretary Dina Ocampo. The learning sessions started in Day 2 (April 13), wherein a plenary session for all Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) trainers was organized by our team for the levelling of expectations, house rules and discussion on the conceptual framework of EPP/TLE.

The EPP Training Team was divided into four sub-groups, namely EPP-ICT group, EPP-HE group, EPP-Agri group and EPP-IA group. In EPPP-ICT group, I was with Sir Virgilio Laggui and Ma’am Eden Samadan, they were my co-writers in the development of LMs and TGs. We also divided the number of EPP trainers into three classes (Class A, B and C). Every time that our group was on board, we would see to it that the participants would actively participate. The learning engagement was fun-filled with lots of inputs about the utilization of Learners’ Materials and Teachers’ Guides, teaching strategies and classroom assessments, all to equip them in their Mass Training of Teachers (MTOT) in their respective regions or divisions.

All in all, this was a great experience. I felt so accomplished after our effective facilitation of sessions and rewarded because of the positive feedback of our participants. To God be the glory.

Orientation of Chief Trainers for the Grade 4 National Training of Trainers (NTOT)

Last March 16, I went back to TICC, Tagaytay City to attend the Five-Day Orientation of Chief Trainers for Grade 4 NTOT. I was so excited and a little anxious on what was in store for us in this orientation. To be honest, this was my first ever experience to become a trainer in a national level. I became a division trainer for website development last year, but to become a chief trainer for a national training, whose participants were the best of every divisions and regions, really gave me goosebumps.

I was thankful that this orientation equipped us with all the necessary skills to facilitate the session effectively as chief trainers. The following were the highlights of our orientation:

• Undersecretary Dina S. Ocampo  gave the updates about the K to 12 BEP curriculum for Grade 4 including instruction and assessment.
• Dr. John Arnold Siena of NEAP equipped the chief trainers with skills to facilitate discussions among teacher-participants the effective implementation of the Grade 4 curriculum.
• There were also  sessions about teaching strategies like Differentiated Instruction by Dr. Evelina Vicencio and Localization and Contextualization by Dr. Ma. Theresa De Villa.
• SFX, through the cooperation of Australian Aid,  introduced the new social brand of DepEd: “Tayo Para sa Edukasyon.” This is a great communications campaign to sustain reforms in Basic Education. (I will dedicate a post about this social brand, to inspire everyone to take active participation in the current reforms in our basic education).

After this orientation, I felt so eager to become a chief trainer, I learned a lot and I wanted all these learnings to be shared with all the other trainers nationwide. 

This photo is priceless, we are with one of the great education champions 

of our country, USEC Dina S. Ocampo.

Development of Session Guides for National Training of Trainers

I felt so honored when I received a call coming from DepEd Central Office inviting me for a Five-Day Writeshop on the Development of Session Guides (SGs) in Preparation for the National Training of Trainers (NTOT).

It was last March 9 when I went to TICC, Tagaytay City, to attend the writeshop. I was so glad to know that it was like a reunion with my fellow writers for EPP 4 Learners’ Material and Teaching Guide. We excitingly worked with our session guides that will be used for the NTOT.

At first, I thought this was just an easy task, like preparing lesson plans. But when I heard the discussions of Dr. John from National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) about the development of session guides, I learned that developing SGs for a training is an entirely different thing. For the first time I encountered the term andragogy (opposite of pedagogy), which is consisted of teaching strategies focused on adults. Since the participants are adults, we should learn some principles and theories concerning about how adults could be engaged in a learning process. Thereby, Dr. John comprehensively lectured about Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and the 4 As (Activity, Analysis, Abstraction and Application) of Learning.

This workshop also required us to produce the materials that will be used for the training, like the presentations, videos, and other visual aids. I was glad that I had finished the session guides for the EPP-ICT Team, but quite disappointed because I wasn’t able to produce the presentations and other materials on time, because I needed to go back to our school to attend to activities related to our forthcoming graduation. So thankful that Ma’am Glenda, our team secretary, allowed me to go back to my station earlier to attend to the needs of my class advisory. I just promised her to work on these materials during the orientation of chief trainers. 

With my fellow writers while working with 

our session plans in preparation for the NTOT.

Like this pose is an essential part of my documentation :D

Reflections on Being a Class Adviser

And another school year has passed. Time really flies so fast. The memories of the first day of classes seemed just like yesterday. I will surely miss my class advisory, IV – Lalaguna Batch 2014-2015. These bunch of teens gave me a roller coaster experience as their class adviser.

It was like feeling all kinds of emotions with them. There were times that I would be so happy with them, but there were also times that I was so close on cursing them. Sometimes, they will make me so proud of our section with all their co-curricular achievements, but there were some instances that I felt so remorseful that they became my class advisory. There was even a quarter when we became the lowest performing class in mastery level. I felt so ashamed. But despite all these ups and down, I realized that no matter what the circumstances we are into with our class advisory, it is our disposition as their class adviser that should be consistent. I will always be their second father, who will always be there to remind them of their responsibilities and support them in all their endeavor.

Last March 26, 2015, our school held its 18^th Commencement Exercises at Valenzuela Astrodome. I was almost teary-eyed seeing my forty nine (49) children marching their way as graduating students. And when they received their diplomas, my emotions are mixed up. Happy that at last they can pursue their dreams in college, sad because I know some of them will not be able to continue to college or still need to work first to save for tuition fees and other expenses. Nevertheless, I still hope and pray that all them can achieve their life goals someday and become who they want to be.

A photo taken before the graduation march,
with my dear students and Ma’am Karina.
Photo Credits: Jacklyn Cosico

Stephen Grellet said, “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” We shall only pass through the life of our students once, so let us do all acts of kindness for them, it doesn’t matter if it’s small or big. The important thing is that we touched their lives. Let us guide and inspire them to do their best, and light their path towards a brighter future. 

Mr. and Ms. Ecosavers 2015 Coronation Day

Last March 6, 2015, our department staged the first-ever Mr. and Ms. Ecosavers 2015. This was also the department’s first-ever big income-generating project.

A brief background about this program: National Ecosavers Program (NEP) is a joint project by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Galing Pook Foundation. This program aims to reinforce the habit of solid waste management and environmental concern among the youth today.

NEP was governed by Republic Act No. 9003, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which established a comprehensive, systematic and ecological solid waste management framework. This act also required the full participation of DepEd in strengthening the integration of waste segregation and environment concern in school curricula, both in theory and practice.

Our department organized this event to promote solid-waste management and environmental concern among students through a pageant and popularity contest based on newspaper, bottle and plastic drive contest, at the same time to generate funds for the department in purchasing our own LED projector and Smart TV.

Our school principal, Mrs. Salvacion V. David,
during her inspirational message.

Photo Credits: Angelo Salazar

This is me while reading the mechanics of the pageant

Photo Credits: Angelo Salazar

Our lovely finalists in their Ecosavers Costumes, which are made of recycled materials:

Photo Credits: Angelo Salazar

Patrick Sioson of G8 – Aldiscimo and Airah Francheska Dela Cruz of G8 – Gavino won the major titles as the first ever Mr.and Ms. Ecosavers ofour school campus.

Our gorgeous emcees:

Mr. Dino Angelo Salazar and Ms. Leila Garcia
Photo Credits: Angelo Salazar

Meet the people behind the success of this event: 

Photo Credits: Angelo Salazar

We just hope that aside from the fun and excitement that they had during the pageant, our students would also realize and appreciate the importance of environmental conservation and protection for a more sustainable development of our country.  

Winning Big Time in Technolympics 2015

Last February 10-11, 2015, our division held the TECHNOLYMPICS COMPETITION 2015 with the theme “Optimizing Creativity.” Sixteen public high schools participated in different skills competitions. The delegation of our school, Gen. Tiburcio de Leon National High School was a strong team with determined trainers and student representatives.

The following are the trainers who were able to bag places in their assigned contest:

ICT
Web Designing	Marlon L. Lalaguna	Third Place
Tarpaulin Designing	Jeffry S. Reovoca	Second Place
Home Economics
Experimental Fish Dish	Marivic C. Francisco	Third Place
Hair and Make-Up	Jenny S. Loseñada	First Place
Children’s Wear Construction	Maricel N. Bautista	Third Place
Agriculture
Landscaping	Leonardo A. Parel	Second Place

               

We were so delighted that all our efforts and sacrifices paid off. An addition to this year’s Technolympics was the recognition of an over-all champion, which is based on the scores accumulated for every place that is won by the school. Fortunately, our school also won as the OVER-ALL CHAMPION. Mrs. Rona M. Reyes, our head teacher-in-charge, was so happy about the success of our department and said that the collaborative efforts and hard work of all the trainers and student representatives, who devoted most of their time in training, were the important aspects of this milestone.

Hopefully, we will perform the same or even more in the Technolympics next year.  To God be the glory.

Photo Credits: Rona Reyes

Yet Another Catching Up Post

Oh-my… It seems that it has been ages since the last time I posted here. For the nth time, please pardon me for this hiatus. As much as I really wanted to post a lot about my recent journeys, my mortal body and limited time would not really permit me to do so. Ha-ha!

There are a lot of stories I would like to share here that I decided to dedicate one post at a time for each of them. I am indeed so thankful because it seems that I have accomplished a lot early this year. Here are my previous endeavors in a nutshell:

• Our school won as the Over-all Champion in the previous Technolympics held at Parada NHS and Bagbaguin NHS, and that is because of the collaborative effort of all the trainers, who really devoted their time in training our student representatives for each contest categories; 
• Our department successfully held our income-generating project, the “Mr. and Ms. Ecosavers 2015.” As the project proponent, my head teacher tasked me to supervise the operations of this event. The proceeds of this project would help our department to buy ICT for education tools like LED projector and Smart TV.
•  I also felt so proud that for the recent school year, I was able to guide all my learners to successfully meet all the academic requirements to finish their basic education. Big thanks to their ever patient and understanding subject teachers;     
• I was again invited by DepEd Central Office – Bureau of Elementary Education to become part of the Workshop on the Development of Session Guides and Orientation of Chief Trainers for the National Training of Trainers for the K to 12 Basic Education Program;
•  And of course my actual experiences as Chief Trainer for EPP-ICT during the National Training of Trainers held at Teachers’ Camp, Baguio City and Ecotech Center, Cebu City.

I am offering all these accomplishments to God, for He gave me all the strength and wisdom to accomplish these great things. To God be the glory.

Mr. and Ms. Ecosavers 2015

Our department has been conducting an Income Generating Project (IGP) entitled Mr. and Ms. Ecosavers 2014: A Pageant for Environmental Campaign for the past two weeks. This event is inline with the National Ecosavers Program (NEP) of our school, which is assigned in our department. 

The objectives of this project are as follows:

• Promote solid-waste management and environmental concern among the students through a pageant based on a newspapers, bottles and plastics drive contest; 
• Generate funds for our school garden and department;
• Apply the knowledge and skills in proper solid-waste management; and
• Appreciate the importance of environmental conservation and protection for a more sustainable development of our country.

Our head teacher-in-charge, Mrs. Rona Reyes, assigned me to become one of the proponents of this project, together with Mr. Leo Parel, our  NEP coordinator.

I wrote the proposal letter and collaborated with my fellow teachers to schedule the activities for this event. This coming March 7, we will stage the pageant proper of the Top 12 finalists and coronation of the winners.

May the Lord bless us strength and wisdom to accomplish this very challenging project. 

A promotional poster designed by my dear student,
Christian Sabadisto of IV - St. Peter

Technolympics 2015

Next week, our division will be holding the TECHNOLYMPICS 2015 with the theme "Optimizing Creativity." The following skill competitions are included as contest packages:

• Experimental Fish Dish
• Experimental Cookery
• Web Page Designing
• PC Assembly
• Tarpaulin Designing
• Hair and Make-up
• Nail Arts with Hand Massage
• Children’s Wear Construction
• Mini-Cabinet Organizer
• Landscaping
• Steel Baluster

I was assigned to train a student to represent our school in Web Designing Competition. I am praying that she can make it to the Regional Level. Also, my head teacher-in-charge assigned me to layout the cover of the programme invitation for this event.

Programme Invitation

My Catching-Up Post

Welcome ME back again blogging world! It’s been like so many months since I last posted here. My apologies, I was overwhelmed with so much happenings that I can’t find the time to post some updates here. So thankful for this holiday vacation that gives me a little luxury of time to enjoy and dedicate to some of my leisure pursuits (yes… like this blogging).

So what happened to me during that almost three-month hiatus? As expected (really huh? LOLs), my schedule was crowded with school-related activities, professional development assemblies, web development trainings and writing workshops. These are the highlights:

TECH TUTOR 6

Last September 24, together with my fellow ICT teachers, we attended the Tech Tutor 6 at SM Megamall, with the theme “The Mobile e-Learning Revolution.” This learning engagement with the great IT expert, Jerry Liao and other speakers was a showcase of latest technologies that support learning beyond the classroom walls. Smartphones and tablets are indeed becoming ubiquitous and their potentials to transform our education to the next level is indeed very promising. That is how I see the gist of this seminar.

Photo Credits: Jeffry Reovoca

WORLD TEACHERS DAY

Again, the celebration of World Teachers Day in our school last September 1 to October 5 was a hit! Banners that show appreciation and dedication to teachers were posted on the school lobby and hallways. Letters of endearment and token of appreciation to teachers were received. Greetings flooded our Facebook timeline and inbox. Truly, the feeling is magical. These are the moments when I feel so blessed that I am a teacher. Of course, student teaching was also organized by the Student Supreme Government (SSG). During the culminating ceremony, we were both surprised by my student teacher, Christian Sabadisto of IV – Gatus, when he was called as the Best Student Teacher for senior category. A citation that is well-deserved, because this young aspiring teacher is really good.

Christian Sabadisto, Best Student Teacher (Senior Category)
Photo Credits: Christian Sabadisto

WEB DEVELOPMENT TRAINING 

As part of the Division of Valenzuela’s goal to create an endless learning opportunities for both the teachers and students, every school in the division was required to develop a school website with virtual classroom. This project was made possible through 88DB as the website host. Every school was given a website domain.

However, the teachers, who were in-charge of website development, lacked the required skills to accomplish the website. This became our rationale in proposing a training design to help the teachers acquire skills in web development and enhance the visual appearance of their school websites. Together with Mrs. Jean Tropel, a Master Teacher of Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science, we proposed the training to Mr. Wilfredo Cabral, our Division Superintendent and we were fortunate that it was approved. Last October 7 to 9, we successfully conducted this three-day training and helped the teachers to develop their school web and content visual elements.   

Confession 101: This is my first time to become a workshop trainer... a great milestone indeed!  

A priceless picture with Ma'am Jean Tropel, Dr. Winnie Tugade, EPS in English
and Dr. Jenny Rose Corpuz, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

GOOGLE TEACHERS WORKSHOP 

I, together with Mrs. Jenny Loseñada, was assigned by our head teacher-in-charge to attend the Google Teachers Workshop last November 15 at De Las Salle-College of Saint Benilde. This was a very interactive seminar-workshop with a lot of hands-on activities to train the teachers how to maximize the use of some Google applications to enhance the teaching and learning experience. I really like Google Docs, it has a feature wherein teachers and students can collaborate to work on a particular project.

A photo souvenir from the event's photo booth (cool!)
And yes... I forgot to apply a retro filter on this one. LOLs

REVISION AND FINALIZATION OF GRADE 4 EPP-ICT TGs AND LMs 

Last December 1and 2, I was again invited by the DepEd Central to attend the Revision and Finalization of Grade 4 Teacher’s Guides and Learner’s Materials for EPP-ICT. It was held at Emiramona Garden Hotel, Tagaytay City. I was glad to know that there were just some few minimal revisions as suggested by the content experts. It was from the language experts that we received a lot of suggestions for revisions. I would say that there is really a need for a seminar-workshop in Orthography of Filipino language for content writers. Hopefully, I could attend one someday.

Module content writers at work!

Anyone Can Teach? Think Again

This is for everyone who thinks that teaching is just like a walk in the park. 
That anybody can easily do this job...

Let this infographic debunk the three myths about teaching:

Source: www.busyteacher.org

Myth 1: Anyone can teach
WRONG! This idea is non-sense. Try organizing a child's birthday party or chaperoning a high school dance.

Myth 2: Teacher preparation is not much use
WRONG! Studies over the last 30 years show that fully prepared teachers are more highly rated and more effective with students.

Myth 3: Teachers don't work hard enough
WRONG! Teachers have little time during the day for planning, locating materials, talking with parents, meeting individually with students, or grading papers, they do all of these things after school hours, typically well into the evenings or on weekends.

Teaching is more than a profession, it is a noble duty of shaping the future of this nation. Like a candle, teachers allow themselves to be consumed just to light the path of the young minds, to help them achieve their full potential. 

#HappyWorldTeachersMonth!

Division Website Development ,Roll-Out on RPMS and Parent-Teacher-Conference

As my last catching up post about the past events that made me so busy for the past two months, let me share about the Division Website Development, our school’s Roll-Out on Results Based Performance Management System and Parent-Teacher Conference:

Division Website Development

Last July 31, I was invited as one of the facilitators in preparation of materials for the website development. As part of our Division’s journey to the apex of SEAL of Excellence, all public schools were required to develop a website with virtual classroom. Elementary and Secondary ICT coordinators were gathered to attend a mini-workshop on how to use the 88DB online web editor in developing their school website. A demonstration on how to maximize the virtual classroom was also conducted to enhance the learning experience of the students.

With the 88DB web development team (our host provider), Dr. Belino, Division Planning Officer and Mrs. Jean Tropel, ValMaSci Master Teacher:

Roll-Out on Results Based Performance Management System

Last August 16, we held our roll-out on Results Based Performance Management System (RPMS). I was at the write-shop when I read the announcement of our principal posted on her Facebook timeline that she is expecting 100% attendance for this In-Set. I aimed to finish my revisions a day before the last day of our write-shop, so that I could attend the learning engagement.

During the plenary session, our school head and department head teachers gave us a comprehensive lecture about this new performance system of Department of Education. At first, I was kind of reluctant about this new assessment scheme, but as the truth about its framework, features and its aims to motivate teachers to improve better performance and quality of work by making this as one of the basis for the PBB grant were unveiled to us………… we were like…. okay we really need take this one seriously.

During our concurrent breakout session, we were tasked to write our SMART objectives for the following KRAs:

• Teaching-Learning Process
• Students Outcome
• Community Involvement
• Professional Growth
• Tardiness
• Attendance

With my fellow TLE teachers, while writing about our objectives and required competencies for each KRAs:

Parent-Teacher Conference

After whole-day school-based learning engagement about RPMS, I went home immediately to prepare for the First Quarter PTC. Working overnight, I encoded the grades in composite grading sheet, print dummy cards and certificates of recognition for my class achievers (this is the most demanding part of being a class adviser). I also prepared my agenda for the meeting with the parents.

During the PTC, I discussed to the parents about the school policies, rules and regulations, proper grooming, absenteeism and class performance. I also reminded them about their significant role about the success of their children in school.