Teacher therapy

I’ve just arrived from a speaking engagement, happy and satisfied. 

Two weeks ago I received an invitation to be the guest speaker in one of the public high schools in Manila.  I should say I am quite used to this kind of invitation after having been invited here and there to speak. 

 But today’s experience offered me something new; something that I haven’t had yet.  When I arrived at the venue I was met by two of the teachers, and they pinned a corsage on my left chest and handed me program, as if I were the secretary of education who visited the school (that was what I thought).  I never had such kind of experience in the many places I’ve been to as a speaker. 

What makes the experience more meaningful was the positive feedback I received right after my talk.  It’s exhilirating to be told that my fellow educators learned something from me.  It gives me immeasurable joy and my satisfaction. 

My speech and oral communication students during their final exam.  April 2006.

Just recently I received a gift from a colleague who went abroad to teach.  The box contained several books, but the best of all is the one which I have been wanting to have:  How to be an effective teacher:  The first days of school by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong.

I’d like to share with you the snippets and nuggets on how to be an effective teacher from this book:

1.  The successful teacher must know and practice the three characteristics of an effective teacher: 

• positive expectations - the effective teacher has positive expectations for student success
• classroom management - the effective teacher is an extremely good classroom manager
• lesson mastery - the effective teacher knows how to design lessons to help students reach mastery.

2.  The teacher who constantly learns and grows becomes a professional educator.

These are the major points that Harry and Rosemary Wong emphasized. 

My desire to have this book was born when I attended the seminar on teaching effectiveness, which was based on the educational philosophy found in the book.  The educational philosophies are modern and real.  I have been practicing some of its philosophies, and I found them to be effective.   For instance, Harry and Rosemary Wong say:

What you do on the first days of school will determine your success or failure for the rest of the school year.  You will either win or lose your class on the first days of school.

Teachers are not in private practice.  We are in the helping and caring profession, a service profession to help people enhance the quality of their lives.

Students learn as little or as much as their teachers expect.  Teachers who communicate and set high expectations to all their students obtain greater academic performance from these students than do teachers who set low expectations. 

There are so many nuggets of wisdom that any teacher can learn from the book.  If teaching is your passion, you better grab a copy now. 

The cover page of the book which I received.  Thank you, Ms. Jamison.  July 2008. 

September 20, 2008 was the international coastal clean-up project day.  It was my first time to join this activity.  In our locale, it was organized by our Community Extension Service Office.  

When I was told that there would be such a project, I actually signed up for the reason that we needed more points in the community extension program for PAASCU accreditation.  Besides, I was the first one to sign up for our department as if to show and to set myself as an example, being the Director who does not have teaching assignment on a Saturday morning:-)  In other words, I went to the clean-up project half-heartedly. 

On the bus on our way to the clean-up site, we were given the orientation on what to expect and on what to do once we get there.  Sector 5, that was what I heard.  I was not paying full attention because I was thinking of just leaving everything to my very dependable AA.  I told her I can be the timekeeper and the record keeper but she had to help me. 

We passed through Roxas Boulevard, and I saw that a number of people were there to clean up the bay area.  People from all walks of life:  some were running, others walking; others were enjoying.  Seemingly they were done with their assignment while we were still on our way.   

Before getting off the bus, we were given hand gloves, and the final orientation.  Yet I was not fully convinced of the purity of my intention in going to the coastal area.   

But when I get to the site, my perspective had changed.  I was touched by thousands of people who went there with only one purpose:  to clean up the coastal area from the pile of Metro Manila garbage!   And it dawn on me that I am one of the residents in Metro Manila, so I must be contributory to those thrash.

I especially picked up trash of styro and foam, which reminded me of my favorite famous bowl meals, Hotdog Meal, Hotcake Meal, and all other meals and goodies in styro containers.  I am also reminded of my soft chair in the office, the sofa  and the bed at home which all have foam.  Oh they are so soft and comfortable, but look, they do not decompose:-( 

I filled one sack of styros, and another sack of plastics, and I felt satisfied. 

On our way home, I was thinking of what I did.  I felt some kind of guilt and relief - guilty for being a contributor to those trash, and relief for being able to help clean those trash in my own little way.  I hope that somehow my little effort may go a long, long way in helping save our Mother Earth. 

Next year, I’ll join this activity again with love and passion.

The sea of people who made their contribution for Mother Earth.  23rd International Coastal Clean-up Project. Paranaque City. September 20, 2008.