Well, since Field Study 5 (in-campus practice teaching) is one of my highest grade this semester, let me share you my reflection:
This whole journey of my in-campus practice teaching have been very memorable to me, because I have learned and experienced a lot of things about teaching. At first, I was so anxious about the whole idea especially when our supervising instructor, Prof. Rosita B. Kudan started to fix our schedules, room assignments and cooperating teacher. We had the privilege to choose. I personally chose Teacher Emill M. Kisim as my cooperating teacher for the reason that I want to be mentored and trained by him since I want to observe the things that a male teacher does in terms of classroom management, strategies and creative ideas. Our cooperating teacher was assisted by Teacher Lorabeth Ambel, his assistant teacher. I was paired to be with Kinder 1 - Opal with my classmate, Haidie N. Otinguey, whom I worked well with. All were finished and finalized that is why the following day, we immediately visited the classroom and met our cooperating teacher right after our classes. I appreciated the warm welcome of our cooperating teachers that moment. I first introduced myself and after that, teacher Emill then gave his orientation about our practice teaching.
The following week, we took the challenge to teach right away but with no lesson plans yet. The mere focus of this teaching is to be acquainted with the pupils, their characteristics, the classroom and even came up with an assessment period. The first encounter with the pupils went well. Haidie and I prepared and helped each other in presenting the lesson. Every after classes, our cooperating teacher make it a point to have a 30-minute "mentoring time" wherein he gives his comments, observations and "things-to-improves". These mentoring times gave us the opportunity to learn and be mentored. Aside from that, he also shared the learning resources that we need that is why Haidie and are very grateful.
After the practice teaching try out, the next focus that we had was in applying classroom management through the use of different strategies and approaches. I came to learn that for you to be an effective classroom manager, you should know how to blend and apply different strategies depending on the personality types and situations that are manifested at that moment or encounter. After several meetings of experimenting and testing, I somehow was able to know the strategies that are effective for the class like the business approach, and others. Classroom management is really a skill that can be learned.
The mentoring in the area of lesson planning came after "mastering" the classroom management. We learned to do lesson planning from the detailed to semi-detailed lesson plan. I made it sure that I always let my lesson plans be checked a day before my teaching schedule so that my teaching will become effective and appropriate for the learners. It was challenging really to think of activities and assessment tools that are developmentally appropriate for the pupils. A teacher really need to be creative enough to present the lesson, that is enjoyable yet understandable and ready to be absorbed by the pupils.
One of my teaching philosophy regarding the instructional materials is that, I believe that as a teacher, you don't need to "print,cut,laminate and paste" pictures if the things you would want to show them are tangible and can be brought to classroom as real objects. That is why in my almost 2 months of teaching, I seldom use cutouts, only if it is necessary and needed. The learners are always amazed because I always have with me my large eco bags filled with toys, kitchen wares, figurines, fruits, vegetables and other objects. I give them the opportunity to touch and see my instructional materials.I believe that learning takes place when pupils see the connection of each lesson with the real life.
In the making of assessment tools, one of the common things I've done is the paper, pencil and color. But sometimes, I let them do "hands-on" activities and some group works to strengthen team work and cooperation. One thing that I've learned in assessing kinder 1 pupils, you need to be patient enough to explain the instruction. There are also times where you need to go around per table to check if they are doing their exercises right.
I got to assist in the Nutrition Month Celebration of the pupils. I enjoyed preparing and serving my pupils with fruit salad. While they were eating, we got the opportunity of sharing the importance of eating these nutritious foods. Aside from nutrition month, I also had the chance of being in their practices though I was not able to be in their actual presentations due to the annual church conference that I have attended. These extra curricular activities are so much enjoyed by the pupils, teachers and even parents. They learn things that are not usually learned inside the four corners of the classroom.
In our last day in ECDC, I felt the appreciation of parents when they expressed their thanks to me for being one of the teachers of their children. I will surely miss the heavenly voices of my pupils calling me "Teacher Paolo" every now and then.
I am confident that God - Abba, Jesus and Holy Spirit will finish everything that He has started in my journey as a teacher.
Our God be praised!
Prayer Request: May I ask you to pray for me as I prepare myself for my off-campus practice teaching (on the job training). Join me in praying for God's leading to where I'll be deployed. Thank you!
