Week 1- Complete!



Words to describe it:
Shocking
Tiring
Yet I always look forward for the next day that I'll see them again.


We had been assigned in a public elementary school in Quezon City. It will be a 12-day Summer Class for all incoming grade three kids. 

First Day
Looking back when I was in grade three I was already turning 9 years old. However, these incoming kids are more or less 7 years old. With the K-12 new curriculum a lot of changes are happening. I haven’t really had the time to go through the new curriculum. I promised myself that I will do that. Soon is soon. Going back to my kids, yes, they are my kids now. First day was merely an introduction of three of us. We are working as a triad- one teacher for each subject- English, Math and Science. 

Asked what they want to be when they grow up, they have ready answers-- teacher, doctor, seaman, police, and soldier. Makes me want to think what did I say when I was their age.

We had 12 kids on our class on our first day.
We were expecting 60, coz the real deal is with 60 kids! 

Second Day
Come second day-our very first academic teaching day. 

Words to describe it: A milestone.

Best words for the day: Ang sarap mag-aral!

That was uttered by one of my kids as my Science class had ended. 

I never had any experience with teaching elementary kids. My educational background was that for Secondary Education major in Physics. My work experience was with Finance for a US company that had an offshore office here in the Philippines. Deciding to take this career path was done overnight for me. I just knew that I was making the right decision and there is no turning back. So, please remind me again if I am doing the right thing for all I know is that I love to be with kids. As for them, learning from me, is another thing I am working on. 

I guess, I had made a good start. I want to pat myself on the back. Good job, Kat. One thing I brought with me from my customer service experience--Acknowledge them right away.

Hearing one of my kids, say "Ang sarap mag-aral" was something I would always look back especially when I am at my down moments. Keeping them motivated is something I have to work on. They have very short span of time. 

Third day
It was 7:30AM.

My kids were already lined up outside the classroom. Almost all of them. They were all eager to see us three and they were all smiling. With kids, it's all about classroom management. Almost half of the class hour is consumed sa "pagsasaway" with SUPER-kulit kids. Im still learning to develop my "teacher look" just so that I wont tire myself shouting and screaming to the kids.. hahaha.. I dont scream and shout, oh well, not yet and I hope, I wont have the opportunity to do it.
We talked about the Scientific Investigation Method. It was a bit hard to let them speak their minds, the art of questioning is yet to be mastered to be leveled to their thinking-- they are a bit shy, and we noticed that they are struggling with reading and even writing. What I like about them is that their eagerness to learn. They love to sing, listen to stories and tell share what they did the other day. At 7 years old, they are behind, in terms of literacy-- reading and writing-- I was a bit disappointed at first, and then I remember the reason I was there. This had been the disease we ambitiously wanted to cure. 

I just keep reminding myself-- Dream big, start small. 

Fourth Day
One of my kids lost her money. Six pesos to be exact. For a few  seconds, I got lost and dont know what to do. My class starts after their recess, five minutes before the start, I had reminded them to keep their things and just leave their pencils on top of their desks. Asking who took the money will never work, searching their bags will take so much effort and time. I just reiterated on the value of following instructions and keeping their belongings at their own risk. 

Fifth Day
The kid who lost her money didn’t come to school today. I honestly feel bad about it. I felt that I haven’t been a good teacher. I lost her trust. She thought that my class was not a secured place anymore. If only I didt something more than reminding them to keep their personal things, maybe she would have come back. If only I did little more search, probably she would know that I care. But I do care, I just dont know how would I do and show it. 

Sixth day
The day went pretty well. I have a hoarse voice, feverish feeling. I just dont wanna get up from bed. But then I have to. It is a Saturday and my kids will be at school. Though I had anticipated a small number of them coming, I know they will still be there. Our class had a big turn out again, 11 of them. And since I am "malat" I decided to just gathered them around  for a storytelling activity. I got a big book from the library- A Thirsty Sparrow and Nang Magkakulay Ang Nayon. The best line for the day-- "Teacher, para kang yung nagkukwento sa TV!" These kids really know how to make "bola" to the teacher. Lol. That compliment really made my day. All the body pains I am experiencing that day totally went away. And makes me want to tell them another story!

The dilemma comes on how I can do this thing with a group of 60 kids! Anyway, let me handle that when that day comes, for now, heck, it's Saturday! Kuya will arrive from UAE tomorrow and I also need rest and obviously, I miss my family!

It had been a hectic week, yet, I wanna come back. The next week, will be another great challenge. Another week of collecting stories from the little kiddoes.


Comments

  1. I love kiddoes :) sometimes sa kanila din tayo natututo eh. sa mga storya ng buhay nila

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep. They tell a lot of stories. And yung mga mata nila, nangungusap. Hehe..

      Delete
  2. ang cu-cute ng mga pambobola nila sa yo. bumalik ba yung kid na nawala ng six pesos?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yuh. At mukhang pinaguusapan nila kung sinong magsasalita. Ibaibang bagets kumokomment. Lols. Pag sila nambobola, buong puso kong tinatanggap. Haha


      Hindi na sya bumalik :( im actually disappointed of my actions. And every day, i hope pumasok sya before summer class ends.

      Delete
  3. Aww a very productive week indeed!
    the good thing about kids bola is they come from the heart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ayun na nga eh... hehe... kaya nga more pabola lang ako sa mga kiddielets.

      Delete
  4. haha naku naguilty naman ako kasi ako wla kong chaga sa bata haha
    pero ayun nakakatawag pagmasdan ung curiosity nila na maiisip mo na lang ganto din kaya ko dati haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahaha.. sinabi mo pa, im still working on my classroom management.. wala pa ko boses til now.. what more for the next 10 months..hay...

      Delete
  5. Hilg mo ang pagtuturo? Masarap makipagkulitan sa mga kiddoes kailangan lang ng mahabang pasensya talga. I'm so proud of you. Ipagpatuloy mo yan. Bagong buhay ah :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yep. bagong buhay :D im starting to love it..pinili ko to eh.. and every kid has a story..

      Delete
  6. Galing. Thumbs up ako. Wala ko tiyaga sa mga kiddos. Pang matatanda lang ko:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahahaha.. baliktad tayo mami joy, my patience is reserved for kiddoes...hihihihi

      Delete
  7. exciting ang bagong career path! Good jab!!

    Fulfilling yong makarinig ka ng "Ang Sarap Mag-aral"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sinabi mo pa kuya mar! sobrang fulfilling....

      Delete
  8. Bilib talaga ako sa mga teachers. I was a college instructor before, it was not easy. How much more teaching kids?

    :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahahaha... it takes awhile to get used to... im still working on it... its gonna be one tough journey for me :D and i ought to document it as much as i can para may mabalikan ako pagkatapos ng lahat.

      Delete
  9. Teacher Kat, ang galing mo!

    For sure, sobrang na-touch ang puso mo sa mga sinasabi ng mga kids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sobra! I always look forward to the day that makikita kong natuto silang lahat.

      Delete
  10. Ang galing galing naman ni Ma'm Kat! sana bata na lng din ako at ikaw ang teacher ko hehe :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Waaaaaa..... go! attend my class... haha

      Delete
  11. Reading your post led me to travel again my teaching experience in Grade School years back.

    It's fulfilling especially if the students are eager to see you the next day for a topic you've promised to deliver.

    Plus, the bonus part is when you're being liked by their parents by giving you accolades and compliments for a job well done to their son/daughter in teaching them at school.

    Those memories are priceless. Kaya nasabi ko talaga noon na teaching is indeed a noble profession minus the salary issue.

    You're on the right track of your purpose in life Kat - that is to inspire others through learning.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Feel free to comment :)

Popular posts from this blog

It's her time to go.

11 Sept 2023

29 Sept 2023