3 weeks from now, another school year is about to start...but before that, Allow me as I look back and celebrate God's grace in the recently concluded school year.... my first year of teaching!
I will never forget this same day last year when I was busy doing my curriculum, decorating my classroom and at the same time managing my nervousness as I hold my first advisory class. I tell you, I had a lot of sleepless nights and the feeling of "minor-heart-attacks" every now and then! Wew!!
One of the things that I thank God for is the school where He brought me - UCCP-Baguio Educational Center, Inc., it is one of the first christian schools here in Baguio City (actually on its 81st year). You know what's amazing? It was not hard for me to adjust in my workplace especially with my co-teachers and school staff because they were all welcoming and I immediately felt God's love in them. Even in the first few days, each moment were full of fun and good working relationship - sobrang chillax lang!
As the start of class drew nearer, the nervousness started to lessen and my excitement increased! (or the other way around? HEHE.) My first encounter with the parents was during the Parent's Orientation. *butterflies just kept on flying inside my stomach and it* HAHA. Thank God, they were all supportive and I can really sense their excitement as their children enter school for the very first time. I ended the orientation/meeting with a prayer and group-fie!!
Monday came (first day of class), parents accompanied their children to school. Well, I already expected the *sepanx* (separation anxiety) moments for some of the children (IT IS NORMAL!). There is a two-week rule in our school of allowing the parents inside the classroom for the children's conditioning purposes. I was surprised (and became conscious) that the parents brought out their phones and took photos and videos of our class the whole time! HEHEHE. Well, they asked my permission and I allowed them (I know their feeling of excitement). I tried my very best to memorize the name of my pupils so that at least can a sense of belongingness in our class - guess what?! I memorized it perfectly.
The first few months were really challenging...still because of "sepanx", that was not the real issue for me, but it was...the day when one of my pupils *pooped* in his pants!!! So...I took the challenge! I cleaned and changed his clothes my self! SUCH ACCOMPLISHMENT!
Let my share my teaching philosophy and strategy - "Experiential Learning". As much as possible, I provide opportunities for my pupils to learn through "hands-on" activities and "tangible" objects - for the development of their sensorimotor skills. For example, our lesson was about the fruits, instead of just printing pictures of fruit and showing it to class, I bring REAL FRUITS and let them - see, touch, smell, hear and even taste it themselves. In this way, I believe that the learning experience of my pupils are more meaningful and relevant.
Aside from regular classes inside and outside (eg. outside play) of our classroom, our school also organize school-wide activities and celebrations like earthquake drills, "Buwan ng Wika", "Pet and Environment Day" and other celebrations. Let me share to you one of the memorable programs that we organized, it was during the culminating program of our Bible Emphasis Month, we let our pupils (including the parents) to wear costumes as part of the program, it added the mood of experiencing the bible come to life. These programs are opportunities for the pupils to learn in various ways and not just inside the four walls of the classroom. We encourage our parents to join us in these programs/activities.
A christian school will not be a "christian" without the integration of God's word in our school's curriculum and practice (we let our pupils memorize at least one memory verse a week); preaching of the Gospel through our weekly assembly, chapel times and general chapel services; and introducing spiritual disciplines (prayer, fellowship, reading the bible, worship and witnessing) to the children. UCCP - BEC is known as "Your Learning Center for Christian Education". As Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go, so when he is old, he will not depart from it." This will always be my goal as a teacher.
The theme of our school for the SY: 2016-2017 was taken from Philippines 2:15:
"...shine like stars in the universe."
This is also my prayer and declaration for all of my (princes & princesses) pupils in the Nursery/Pre-Kinder KINGDOM BUILDERS CLASS:
-Neriah
-Yoel
-Joanna
-Aldrin
-Billy
-Juriel
-Adrian
-Tushar
-Dreem
-Braiden
-Jaeden
-Cyryl
-Travis
-Mabel
-Christamie
-Ali
-Darius
-Trisha
-Cedric
-Seong Min
-Ashriel
-Khiron
-Nica
-Cazareine
I am forever grateful to God for allowing me to be part of your foundational years.
#KINDERbyTeacherJustine
