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Be Safe Online

2015-07-18T04:39:00.001-07:00

Social networking sites are very beneficial for every user. Because of these sites, one can chat with his family, friends and colleagues even that they are separated by big mountains and vast oceans. The sites are also great platforms to express who you are by posting photos of your favorite food, clothes, and activities. Furthermore, these sites are best places online to build relationships and transact things. However, some users' lives became miserable as their identities were stolen and used by hackers. What even worse is some users are victimized by what they call "friends" in utmost traumatic ways.

I started to be aware on SNS when my classmate taught how to create my first Facebook account. That day was the beginning of my online life. I became addictive on the amazing things the Internet contains. I wondered and wandered in various sites. I also began to know people and their interests deeply. Now, I have three Facebook accounts, one Twitter account, one Instagram. With these sites, one thing is evident: I am certified "millennial"--- a digital native who wants to make himself abreast about what have transpired and what are fads that everybody is following or doing.

As I observe the activities of my friends in Facebook, I was alarmed. One time, I saw my friend posting thousands of pesos as evidence that the financial organization that she is joining is legitimate. The said organization can give you big money if you make an affiliation to it. Another friend proudly posted her new Android phone. I am happy for them, but I feel nervous on their updates. Why? Because what they have posted will give hints to the bad guys who will be their next victims are. I said this because I am not envious about their latest possessions, but I am concerned about their security. That is their right to post what they have; it is their way to tell others that I have this, I have that. However, they must be oriented that what they post make themselves fall in the snares of thieves.

I am not saying that having social media accounts is detrimental in our lives. We feel more comfortable with these and our lives become more convenient because of these. Internet and SNS are safe places if we know how to protect ourselves and how we can be responsible in the cyberworld.

As we claim the rights to use the Internet, we must be responsible and cautious on our activities online. As I use these sites, I started to be meticulous on what I am posting or what are the points I want to utter on certain issues. Today, I am sharing you tips on how to be safe online.

1. Do not post pictures immediately
If you travel, you want to shout to the world that you are visiting this place; that you are eating in this restaurant; and that you are staying in a luxurious hotel. You need to hold your horses. You can upload images of your adventures after your traveling. If you post pictures while you are having your vacation, thieves will be delighted. They will know that you are not at your home and that will be their chance to rummage and steal things at home. Even that you have the best padlocks and CCTV, it is better to be cautious.

2. Do not post pictures about expensive belongings
Shining jewelry and high- tech gadgets are attractive on the eyes of the thieves. Keep these things privately. Just be satisfied that you own these things. By doing these, you can use or hold your things for a longer time. Do not give them a show that the ending will be tragic on your part.

3. Edit the settings of your post
Many people are fond of capturing selfies. They want to take images to check their appearances and to show to the world how beautiful or handsome they are. But, there are people who steal photos that will be used in illicit ways. If you want to make your photos protected, try to change the settings. Make your photos seen by you or your family and friends only.

4. Make your contact information private
Your information are precious. Do not let others steal these away from you. If somebody is asking for your number online, review the identity of the person. Do not give your mobile number to the strangers. I have my friends telling me that let their lovers access their accounts. They exchange passwords and have the opportunities to scan the content of the account of their special someone. Remember, SNS are like toothbrushes and towels, use these personally. Do not share these. What if you decided to break your relationship? Your ex might configure your account badly. You can give the details to your partner if your are now married.

5. Know people online thoroughly
Looks are sometimes deceiving. Do not use profile pictures only to judge if the person is reliable and credible. Again, review the account and identity of the person. My Facebook account often receives friend requests from many people. Before I respond to their requests, I check their accounts. I do not confirm their requests especially if they are unfamiliar. I disagree on the comment of my friend which is "To be friendly, just confirm requests without checking people's accounts". Build friendships online with precautionary measures.

The online world is a different zone, a different dimension. It is a wide place where everyone can interact and share things which give them happiness and enthusiasm. But, just like traveling a place, you need to make yourself familiar in the world of social media. Before using SNS, try to scan the features of the sites. By knowing the sites, you can protect yourself and the properties you uploaded on these sites. As you use your accounts or if you are planning to create an account, consider the five things above. The online world will be happier if you make yourself free from risks.

School and Community: Partners for Quality Education and Quality Living

2015-07-18T00:36:00.001-07:00

Many people say that child’s learning is a teacher’s business only. Parents and guardians bestow the duties and responsibilities to the teachers in igniting student’s love, passion, appreciation and interest in learning many things. Many parents are expecting that the teachers are the ones to teach their children about ABC and 1,2,3. This is a wrong idea. Learning should not take place on the first day of child’s schooling but should start at homes. ¹ Polishing and enhancing what the students already know are the tasks of teachers. Teachers are the blacksmiths; our students are raw iron. We shape them into magnificent swords. Sadly, a large number of beginning students are having a hard time in using fundamental math operations and reading basic words correctly. The reason behind that issue is children are not taught the basics by their parents at their early ages. Furthermore, children receive low motivation by their parents about appreciating learning. Thus, some children are uninterested about schooling and this is observable in their poor grades.

On the other hand, schools especially the public institutions are predicaments like insufficient budget, deplorable facilities and lack of learning materials. In fact, there are news reports on national television about schools that do not have restrooms. Problems like these may affect children’s health and performance. School personnel cannot hold the obligations alone. We can stop things getting worse if people outside the school will dip their fingers on the pie. People outside the school are needed in order to develop holistic development of children. Hence, school personnel and people of the community should work together to attain quality education.

Bro. Armin Luistro, Secretary of Department Education in his interview with Fatima Reyes and Ruel Perez of INQUIRER.net and Radyo Inquirer 990AM stated the importance of stakeholders especially the public officials in achieving quality education. He stressed that these leaders can assist the schools in basic needs of students. He also mentioned that if cooperation and other elements are present, the learning environment will become better.²

The school and the community are the mainsprings of effective and powerful forces that can create a wholesome climate for mutual gains and betterment.³ One cannot exist without the other. Without community, no school to be founded; without school, no strong and unified community can be established. These two pillars can form mutual partnerships that can benefit everyone especially the children. They can also share information, resources and expertise regarding with the educational needs of the students. Teaching and non- teaching staff, parents and local and national leaders are accountable in the educational aspect of children.

There are myriad ways that the community can do to help schools. Parents can donate resources that are useful and helpful in the studies of children and their school. As first teachers, parents are expected to teach their children how to read and write. Furthermore, they are also expected to teach their children in developing values, attitudes and habits that are vital in their children’s interaction with their classmates. Children can use these values, attitudes and habits in playing with their neighbors and working with other people of the community.⁴ In order to make things happen, families should provide safe abode and environment for their children to make learning easy and efficiently. When time comes that their children are in their schooling, parents should monitor the performance of their children. They are expected to check the performances of their children and to guide their young ones on their homework and requirements. ⁵

Based on the National Competency- Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS), teachers should establish learning environments that respond to the aspirations of the community.⁶ They should make their lessons as simulations about how to live life. Children are the next leaders of their community. Therefore, educators are expected to teach lessons that are aligned with the aspirations of the community so that the children can apply these lessons on their future leadership. For example, if the children live in coastal areas, the teacher can integrate values of protecting the seas and taking care of the environment in his lesson. Relevance is a major consideration of students in studying. We should impart ideas that are relevant and realistic to our students. We need to equalize parents’ efforts by spending time, effort and expertise in serving their children. The big improvements of their children will make their investments in the school worthy.

Aside from parents and teachers, the members of the community like the government officials, the professionals and all residents can contribute in the students’ learning by allocating funds in building infrastructures, donating books, learning materials and equipment, and conducting medical missions and educational programs. ⁷ As we promote holistic development, the government can also create projects that will help the students not only to be mentally fit but also physically fit like public playgrounds, bicycle lanes, and sports facilities. ⁸Quality education is possible through these valued stakeholders. They fill what is missing in the school especially to the public schools having scanty funds in availing learning paraphernalia and building facilities. In addition, they help educators in providing ideas by making the community as a source and place of learning.

The government can provide security to make the community safe for the students to explore. Peaceful community will serve as an avenue of experiences that are beneficial to the students. If peace is always present, no threat, no fear and no trouble can interfere in the students’ acquisition of knowledge in every street of the community. A peaceful community is a great source of instructional materials.⁹ We, educators believe that children can learn beyond the gates of our schools. Safe and dynamic community can give students chance to observe and apply what they have learned in the school. The first hand experiences they got from exposure in the environment can make the learning concrete.

Stakeholders especially the professionals can be invited in the school to share their ideas in their respective field. They can augment pieces of information that can strengthen children’s learning. For an instance, if you are discussing about oral health, you can invite a dentist and make him a resource speaker. Students are assured that the information are reliable because the information are based on the insights and experiences of the dentist. Students may ask questions, clarification and elaboration about things that are unclear to them.

To strengthen their ties and to make their aspirations and steps synchronize, teachers, parents, and community members establish organizations and associations. For the past years, the members of the academe and people of the community merge in Parent- Teacher and Community Association. The officers and their subordinates hold meetings to make their planned programs and activities attainable and successful. These associations undertake projects and activities aimed at promoting a harmonious and enjoyable relationship among themselves.¹⁰ With these organizations, the stakeholders and school personnel are equally recognized in providing excellent education services to the pupils. Nowadays, the word “community” is discarded in the association. But, the community officials and residents are still extending their hands in the programs of the association.

Teachers and students can show their gratitude by acknowledging the contributions of the government officials, non- government organizations, professionals and residents; taking care of the donated facilities and materials; and joining the different programs of the community. Teachers and students can participate in community cleaning, coastal clean- up, barangay fiesta and other activities. Furthermore, students can participate in livelihood projects. The advantage of bringing the children in the activities of the community is that they can gain experiences and insights about taking care of their place and they can preserve the culture and tradition of the community.

If all the stakeholders, students and school personnel will work together, success will be just one step away. As what “Yesterday’s Dream” song states, “Together we stand, divided we fall.” All of us must work hand in hand to solve academic and societal challenges and issues. To achieve quality education and quality living, we must have unified goals and actions. We must find ways to raise funds and we must do actions about spending and using our resources. With these things in mind, the school and community will share triumphs as they set their visions for the future.

Footnotes:

1. Purita Bilbao et. al. The Teaching Profession (Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co., Inc., 2006), 80.

2. Fatima Reyes and Ruel Perez, “Education chief: Coordination among stakeholders key to success,” Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 4, 2012, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/206329/education-chief-coordination-among-stakeholders-key-to-success (accessed January 28, 2015).

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. Myra Acupan, “The Role of Stakeholders in The Pupils’ Learning Process,” Division of Nueva Ecija, August 8, 2012, http://www.deped-ne.net/?page=news&action=details&code01=AT12090004 (accessed February 1, 2015)

6. Purita Bilbao et.al. Curriculum Development (Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co., Inc., 2008), 222.

7. Purita Bilbao, et. al. The Teaching Profession (Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co., Inc., 2006), 83.

8. Myrna Acupan, “The Role of Stakeholders in The Pupils’ Learning Process,” Division of Nueva Ecija, August 8, 2012, http://www.deped-ne.net/?page=news&action=details&code01=AT12090004

9. Ibid.

10. Ibid.

References:

1. Reyes, Fatima and Ruel Perez. Philippine Daily Inquirer. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/206329/education-chief-coordination-among-stakeholders-key-to-success (accessed January 28, 2015).

2. Acupan, Myra. Division of Nueva Ecija. http://www.deped-ne.net/?page=news&action=details&code01=AT12090004 (accessed February 1, 2015).

3. Bilbao, Purita, Tomasa Iringan, Rodrigo Javier and Paz Lucido. Curriculum Development. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co., 2008.

4. Bilbao, Purita, Brenda Corpuz, Avelina Llagas and Gloria Salandanan. The Teaching Profession. Quezon City: Lorimar Publishing Co., 2006.

Are You A Teacher? You Should Possess These

2015-07-16T00:02:00.001-07:00

Teaching is one of the noblest professions on earth that people give high value. In the Philippines, thousands are studying education courses annually. Thousands are aspiring that after finishing their courses, they will earn a degree that will be a proof that they are physically, mentally, emotionally and socially prepared in pursuing their careers in the field of education. But, a diploma is not enough. You need to take the licensure examination for teachers. When I received my license last year, I felt jubilant. Studying education for four years is not as easy as counting 1, 2, 3. The license that I have garnered makes me a strong and qualified candidate when applying for a job.

However, diploma and license are futile if you do not integrate what you have studied in your profession. Attitude is a key to making you eminent in the job. As teachers, we need to make our images free from immorality and from any unlawful actions from time to time. All eyes are vigilant in your actions. All ears are listening intensively in every word that comes from your mouth. One wrong action, teacher's reputation will be ruined. This article will help you on how to make you strong, credible and reliable educator. Are you a teacher? You should possess the following:

1. Confidence

Confidence is needed in teaching. It is normal to have nervousness but do not let it creep and dominate your system. You need to have courage in facing your students. Coyness cannot help you to grow in the profession When I faced my students for the first time, I was nervous. But, I tried to be firm and confident in handling them. You can be confident by talking in front of the mirror to practice your speaking skills and try to seek pieces of advice from other teachers on how they handle nervousness.

2. Punctuality

A teacher should be punctual. He should be early in going to school, submitting reports and in giving solutions to the problems encountered in school on time. Tardiness should be out from the scene. By coming early, you can monitor your students and manage your classroom effectively. A teacher should be an epitome of an efficient user of time. If the students see you that you go early to school, they will likely follow you. As stipulated in some civil services laws, you should possess punctuality. This quality is a sign that you are impassioned in teaching students. To make yourself away from tardiness, have this expression on your mind: "Tardiness is idleness."

3. Versatility/ Flexibility

In, teaching, we should not expect ordinary things only happen in ordinary days. Life is full of surprises. A teacher should be sober every day. He must be ready in whatever tasks might be assigned to him. For example, an unexpected visitation happened in your school and there is a mini- program to be presented to welcome the visitor. You are assigned to be the toastmaster. You cannot reject the task. Remember, you are not staying in school to teach. There are various ancillary activities that you need to accomplish. By doing the task, you can improve your skills and you can show to others that you have other abilities aside from teaching. The teaching profession will push you to the limits. Nevertheless, you can find delight with the big demands in your profession.

4. Resourcefulness/ Creativity

Not all instructional materials are present inside of your classroom. Sometimes, machines become dysfunctional during class discussions. You should always be creative and resourceful. You can create mock-up and models especially if the real objects are enormous or tiny in sizes. You should always find ways to make a worthless material into a functional material. For instance, you can form improvised rockets from plastic bottles. You should trigger your imagination. Students appreciate teachers who are artistic and dexterous. You can inspire them to make their ideas turn to reality.

5. Sense of Humor
Students cannot survive an hour of discussion without making them laugh. You should inject clean jokes that are relevant in the discussion. Make sure that the jokes are free from racism and insults. By doing this, you can show to your students that learning is fun. Seeing students yawning during the discussion will make you less motivated. The ripple effect also happens when one student yawn and do things on his seat just to remove boredom. His classmates will join him in his antics. You should stop them before things get worse. Tell stories that will make them laugh at the same time learn from the story. However, you must be sensitive in joking. Do not create fire. Create links.

6. Having Love on Reading

Teaching profession requires teachers to read. You cannot teach if you have limited knowledge. Reading will make you outstanding. One of my instructors in college said that as a teacher, you should be one hundred pages away from your students or if possible, hundred books away from them. You should be far knowledgeable than them. If they have many queries, you can respond immediately. The students will realize that you have the mastery of the lesson. Some students will wonder and ask you, "Why it seems that you know everything about the subject?" You will answer them, “I know those things because I read.” The students will be motivated to read.

7. Industry

You should be committed and dedicated in your job. You should do your best to help the students to enhance their talents. How will you do this? You should be an industrious teacher. If you have industry, you can hone students' skills and talents. Furthermore, you can have outstanding professional record if you will work hard. Remember this: Indolence has no place in teaching.

These qualities that are written above are some of the many qualities that a teacher should possess. But, do not disregard your identity. Be who you are. By accepting who you are, you can teach naturally. You cannot make yourself perfect, but you need to do your best to be the best teacher.

Sunday: My Favorite Day

2015-07-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

I’m working forty- eight hours, six days in a week. I am teaching in high school from Mondays to Fridays and teaching college students on Saturdays. Every week, I encounter challenges in different degree of difficulty. After six days of academic battle, I feel tired. Even that I worked hard for the majority of days of the week, I feel incomplete. My system and my soul are longing for something that any material in this world cannot satisfy. I am looking for something that can aid me to rejuvenate and be satisfied. Alas! I have sought rejuvenation and satisfaction on my favorite day, Sunday.

As Christian, Sunday is very significant. This is the day I need to go to the church, serving God with my fellow Christians. How nice to see the smiles of my fellow members after we greet each other. How nice to hear the message of life interpreted by our pastor. How pleasurable to hear the sweet, angelic voices of our choir. How enjoyable seeing the little children, amusing the adults while singing children songs. But, the thing I like inside the church is I can communicate with our God. Praying inside the church is like I am in the other dimension. As I bow my head and close my eyes, all I feel is complete tranquillity; as if, our Father from above is embracing me tightly. His presence washes away my fears. I feel comfortable after praying about my battling on my problems that seems indomitable. When leaving out, my weary and wan soul before entering the church turns to strong soul with formidable aims. These things I have written are some of the reasons why Sunday is my favorite day.

My day is not complete without reading the Holy Bible, inspirational and motivational books. I labeled this day as my “recharge” day. These books are like vitamins and energy drinks that replenish the strength that I have lost after six days of working. Sometimes, you may feel discourage to start another week may be because the experience that you garnered last week are not auspicious for you. It is like you are losing your momentum to continue your goals. I also feel these. Sometimes, I am fearful and I'm losing my enthusiasm because of lots of things to accomplish. Aside from that, I would like to wave the white flag because of the students are stubborn when I discipline them. But, if I will quit, I will lose my job. If I will quit, I will be called a coward and idle in facing the demands of my job. The last resort that I am doing is I am reading the books I have mentioned above. The teachings of Jesus and his apostles and the advises of the authors of motivational books give me encouragement to continue what I have started. My favorite verses that I carry in my heart are:

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”;
Matthew 6: 34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”; and
Philippians 4: 7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

With these verses, I feel how God absolutely loves me. He will not leave me in crossing rough waters of my career. He will help me thrive and productive in the field of education. I also realized that no job in the world is easy. You need arduous labor before receiving salary.

During Sunday, I indulge myself in listening to music. Songs make my stressful mind relax. I have a playlist of my favorite songs of the following genre: gospel, pop, country and Original Pinoy Music (OPM). The beautiful voices of my favorite singers and bands like Hillsong United, Scripture Lullabies, Sovereign Grace, Lady Antebellum, David Archuleta, Taylor Swift, Julie Anne San Jose and Glaiza De Castro drive away my sadness. These songs are perfect tools for contemplation.

I love Sunday because I spend quality time with my family members, relatives, and friends. It is very hard to have bonding with other family members because of hectic schedules. Sunday is a great day to talk and to share stories to everyone. It is nice to hear the laughter of the households about ridiculous moments that a member of a family has experienced in the entire week. In addition, advising can be done to ensure that each member is still on the right track. I allot time in checking my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts to see what’s happening in my friends’ lives. It is pleasant to see the pictures of them, giving my comments on their posts and sharing things that making friendships stronger. Thanks to these social media platforms that I can communicate to my friends who work or stay thousand miles away from our municipality. But, do not forget to have face- to- face communication in dealing with our chums.

Sadly, some of us do not spend Sundays wisely. Our pastor expressed his dismay to persons who are evading church service just to do other activities. He told us to seek first the kingdom of God. He shared his story about his mango tree that bore many fruits without spraying the flowers and his neighbor who did not have good harvest even that he sprayed his mangoes on Sunday. He has a point, we should not worry about our plants, works and properties because God is taking care of these and we are more important than these things. If we want to be successful, seek God. As we make

God as our top priority, our lives will be alright.

Try to change your Sunday habits. I guarantee you that you will have beautiful lives if we redirect our paths to God. The world cannot satisfy your needs. Earthly joy is temporary, but joy coming from the Lord is everlasting. Do not also forget our family and friends. There are instances that our hearts are distant when we overwork. Working is not bad because this is the our way can earn to a living but ifwe overwork, our relationships with our family and friends might be destroyed. Lastly, make your Sunday a rest day. Do not abuse your body. Money cannot give you assurance that you will be free from sickness and illness. Have time to relax. Machines are like humans. Machines need rest for better performance.

So, start to enjoy your Sunday as I enjoy mine. Go to church, buy or download inspirational books and have time with your family and friends.

4Cs To Keep Students' Attention

2015-07-03T04:36:00.001-07:00

There are many challenges that the teachers need to surmount just to attain the objectives of their lessons. Some consider creating lesson plan as the most difficult task because the objectives of the lesson should be attained successfully by the majority of the students. In addition, the objectives should be specific, realistic and time- bound to make sure that they are improving in right pace. Some consider creating and manipulating instructional materials as a Herculean task because of these several factors: physical composition of the material like color, shape and size; financial factors like cost of the material and the availability of the material in the market; and relevance and appropriateness of the material for the users.

The two activities can be considered as difficult, but there is another task that is very arduous than these: keeping students attentive in an hour. In a subject, a teacher is given an hour to feed the students the essential concepts and thoughts. However, the time gets shorter as the students murmur with their classmates, talking about things that are irrelevant to the subject matter. Daily, there is a stiff competition between the teacher and the students. It seems that you and your learners are in the battlefield: launching missiles and executing strategies just to win the battle. No one wants to raise the white flag. No one affords to lose.

Noise is a typical problem inside the classroom. You can hear voices in several volume, pitch, and tempo that you may feel annoyed. The teacher is acting like a conductor trying to harmonize the choir. Despite the pleas you say to them, still some are stubborn. The students want to overpower the voice of their teacher most of the time. On the other hand, the teacher is trying to control his temperament to avoid anger on the students’ clatter. However, the teacher should impose authority and make sure that the students will be his disciples. The teacher should not surrender easily and must exercise disciplinary measures to make his classroom management successful and effective.

During our break time, I and my colleagues are sharing our rants and concerns regarding with our students. One of my colleagues shared her dismay about students who are always teasing each other. Another teacher is raising an issue about the poor studying habits of the students. We seldom talk about the achievers of the classes because the bad actions of the students blur the scene.

I am trying to be passionate in making my lesson interactive and comprehensible to hook my students. Sometimes, I cannot avoid comparison about my method, strategies and outcomes of my teaching with my co- teachers’ ways of teaching. I have noticed that there are few of them recite in my subject. But, when that class has their other subject, they are earnestly sharing their insights. They are doing their tasks, activities, assignments and projects and other requirements in my subject, but I observed they are not on their optimum level when doing these. When I am asking for their opinion on a certain issue, some attempts to speak their ideas but the majority are demonstrating silence. Some are staring at me while some are looking outside the window, looking afar, thinking very deeply.

I feel sad every time my students are mentally absent in the classroom. They are distant. One time, I asked them if their souls and minds are still staying in their bodies. I asked that way because most of them do not participate in the activities. They just replied with their innocent smiles. With these happenings, I like to pack up my things and stop teaching. But, my parents and teachers who are in service for a long time say that I should not be discouraged because these are challenges. If I will give up, I will end up as a loser.

The encouragements and support from my family and friends help me to reinvent myself. I reviewed my lessons about teaching, methods, strategies, pedagogies and philosophical and psychological foundation of education. By going back to the basics, I have conceptualized 4Cs that can be utilized to make the students focus in my subject.

I suggest these 4Cs in keeping the students attentive. I cannot guarantee you that 100% of your students will be participative when you do these, but these will mitigate problems regarding with short attention span of your learners:

1. Consider Students’ Abilities and Aptitude

Nowadays, we are using student- centered curriculum. The students’ thinking capacities, talents, and interests should be bases in teaching subjects. Every individual has unique learning styles and capabilities in studying. That’s why we have fast learners and slow learners. We should not treat them as if they are all geniuses. Sadly, most educators label learners intelligent if they are proficient in Math and language subjects. This stigma weakens the interest of average students in studying. As a result, many of them stop and disdain schooling. Their potentials that might put them on the spotlight are lost and wasted.

As a teacher, we need to be sensitive about our learners’ lifestyle and learning habits. We should give them the chance to showcase their talents in our subject matter. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence is a major breakthrough in education. Students who are fond of songs, dances, and visual arts can participate in discussions because of this.

Let us try to incorporate songs and dances in our lesson. As an English teacher, I can use rap song to improve their writing talents. Students interpret a poem or a scene in a story by performing an interpretative dance.

Age has a significant effect on how the students think and behave. You must be patient on Grade 7 students especially that they are in the transition period. Instead of apprehending them about their immaturity from time to time, advise them to change their attitudes and act based on their grade level.

In teaching the subjects, it should be developmental. Try to make the students understand that learning is increasing difficulty as they move to the next level. Show to them that they are like mountaineers ascending to the top.

2. Connect topics with the latest happenings and students’ experiences

Students easily indulge themselves in the discussion if the topics are related to trending news and students’ experiences. Try to be techy and updated in teaching lessons. Connect the story on the latest TV series they are watching or try to explain things based on the current issues reported in news programs. If you found a concept from Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites, try to use it in the class. I am sure that the students will be active to share their ideas.

3. Conduct games and icebreakers

Games are helpful tools to promote cooperation among students. By conducting games, they learned how to formulate strategies and be competitive to reach goals. Aside from that, they can improve their kinaesthetic abilities as they move in the game they play. But, you should maintain safety measures to avoid injury. Furthermore, tell them that they should treat the game as ‘friendly competition’. You are doing it for fun and learning.

If they feel tedious, have icebreakers in class. Give them a break from information overload. You may show them funny video, making them relax on their seats. To remove yawning, let them perform song with actions. Surely, their sleepy minds will be awakened.

4. Clear distracting stuff

Students’ desk should be free from distracting stuff like gadgets. Ask them to turn off or silent their phones and other gadgets and keep these in their bags. Tell the students that the things that should be seen on their places are learning materials. With this set- up, their eyes and ears will be focused on you and on their lesson.

All educators are dreaming a classroom with students who are interactive and dedicated to their studies. We should remain unfazed about the issues we are facing. If we are going to work hard with our students, all our objectives will be attained. Remember, learning is not only a task of a teacher. Students are part learning. Nothing is impossible if we pray hard, work hard. We can keep our students’ minds and souls inside the classroom if we are touching their hearts. Love is a precious ingredient in teaching- learning process. We should love them not just making them smart. If they feel that they are important, that will be the time that they will think of you, as their teacher and your teachings valuable on their development.

My Father, My Mentor

2015-06-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

I admit that I am not close to my father. Ironically, I am the eldest child in the family so it is expected that I should be closer to my father than my other siblings. I browsed our photo albums of our family and I saw several pictures of two of us during my infant hood days. One picture shows that he was assisting me so that I can stand firm. Another picture shows that he was playing toys with me. I observed on those pictures, how happy my father was while he was taking care of me during those formative years. However, those radiant smiles were unapparent as I get older.

In my early childhood, my father sometimes scolds me every time I have done naughty, silly things. I can say he is a disciplinarian and the methods he uses are based on his job. He strictly followed the aphorism of Benjamin Franklin which is "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man, healthy, wealthy and wise." He is angry if we wake up late in the morning even in vacation days. The way he impose house rules had driven me not to build intimate connection with my father. Another factor that made me feel disdain to him is that we have different avocations and interests. My father is fond of strenuous activities such as playing sports. On the other hand, I am a home buddy. I like to stay at home for the whole day, reading voluminous books. My father is a high school teacher that’s why we have various books at our house. He wanted me to be vigor by engaging in many excruciating activities but I am reluctant in receiving his advises. I am playing with my fellow youngsters but I do not play sports intensively.

As a teacher, he has lots of things needed to do. He wakes up early in the morning and arrives on twilight. Even that he is in our house, he still do school chores. I saw him how he burn the midnight oil in checking outputs of the students and recording the equivalent grades of the performances of his students. In weekends, he is busy in doing house chores but he still allocates time in finishing school records. I feel envy when he is dealing and talking with his former and current students. I like that he spend quality time with me to talk or to play. However, he cannot deal with me in longer duration because he is tired for the whole day. With these happenings, I felt that I only received minimal attention from my father. My pleas and requests seemed futile and inaudible as he attend his unfinished business or take a nap that proceeds to sleeping.

I tried my best to give him relief by doing simple toils. But, there are more misfortunes than success on those matters. One time, I gave him a glass of water while he was taking his lunch. Accidentally, I did not give the glass properly. The water spilled that made his feet wet. I tried to give concern to remove his stress but I added his burden during that time. My father has little forbearance. He also wants things to be done quickly. I wanted to do things perfectly when he gives orders but opposite happens. The efforts that I have exerted are seemed trifling.

The lukewarm treatment that I bestow to him continued in my high school days. He advises many things that I deemed dull and averse to my interest. I can say that I am not stubborn child. I often follow his orders but I often raise clamor every time I feel uncomfortable with those orders. I am only rebellious in words. I am not like several adolescents that who come late at night, doing mischievous things. There was a great tension with us especially when I am choosing the path I want to cross in college. He wanted to me to become a teacher but I want to be a journalist. I was always showing my intention to be a journalist but he often contradicted it.

“You cannot be a journalist because you easily get nervous. Journalists should be brave especially in covering typhoons or chaos,” he exclaimed to counter my opinion. “Aside from that, you need bigger money to pursue that dream. You need to go prestigious schools because most of the journalists in our country studied in those schools,” he added. I am confident to pursue my dream because I graduated with honors that will make me a scholar. I wanted to be different. But as the vacation days went by, I cannot do anything but to shelve my dream.

I enrolled in an education course. I was frustrated during that time. Excitement about my schooling was invisible except to my father’s face. My heart was shattered. I inculcated on my mind that I was a puppet by my father.

“Son, sorry for not granting your request. We cannot afford to send you to those schools because we are not rich. Do not worry about your schooling. I will support you,” he said.

During the first week of class, I liked to raise the white flag. I was also thinking to do fail all the subjects so that I will be forced to stop my journey. But, my conscience cannot do that. I do not want that the sacrifice of my parents to be wasted. For four years, my father found ways on how to finance my studies. For three years, he sells coconuts every weekend. Instead of having hard feelings with my father, I should be thankful because they have given me chance to step my feet on a university. Many Filipinos cannot pursue tertiary education. The opportunity that my parents given to me was an immense blessing for me.

I studied diligently to finish the course. I also learned how to love the profession. I like to follow the footsteps of my father in the world of teaching. After four years, I finished my degree. On my graduation, I realized that my impressions about my father are all wrong. I just looked things on the surface without deeper examination. My father made the best decision for me. Because of him, I attained my diploma with the assistance of my mother. If I chose journalism, maybe I stopped and could not graduate for four years. Flashback of events ran on my mind.

He wants me to wake up early because he wants to say that time is very important in doing things successfully. He impose orders toughly to make sure that I will not go astray, to do bad things, and be addicted to vices. Being intelligent is not enough to live life. My father wants me to value physical health because without healthy body, you cannot think efficiently.He cannot give quality time to play with me because he need to work for the needs of his households. I should feel pity during his sleepless nights and be considerate on his shortcomings due to the obligations as a teacher.

I forgot the innumerable hard works that my father have done to rear me. I forgot the various appreciations that he bestowed to me every time I go up the stage receiving medals. I forgot other smiles that he showed while I am growing up. The goodness of my father, his altruistic acts and precious teachings were covered by remorse of my immaturity. I realized that my father is only a teacher in his profession but a teacher in our family. He is my mentor. A mentor who wants to grow as a God- fearing individual of the community I currently live.

As we celebrate Father's Day, we should be thankful because our God created fathers who are our guide in living this world full of trials and temptations. We should always remember that they are only humans, they are bounded by imperfections. But behind those imperfections, their affection is perpetual, unconditional and genuine. To my father, thank you because you and my mother love me even I disappoint you. I will do my best to help you in your endeavor. For now, the smiles that you showed on the photographs and your smiles that you show to me today serves as my light beams that I can use in living my life.

THREE FUNCTIONS OF THE HOLY BIBLE

2015-04-18T23:08:00.000-07:00

The Holy Scripture or The Holy Bible is one of the primary tools of Christians to practice our faith in God. It is a product of various prophets, disciples and servants of God that tells about the eternal love, guidance, concerns and sacrifice of the Creator for His people. It endured time, catastrophes and rejections. It still moves the hearts, souls, and minds of millions of Christian believers. History and people’s lives are being influenced and changed by this powerful book over centuries. Nowadays, it still plays major functions for living on earth and soon on Heaven. The following are the five functions of the Bible at present:

1. It serves as our guide.

Appliances come with manuals. In order to run or to operate the machines properly, we can refer to manuals. A manual can help us to use the machine with ease without destroying it and to make our expenditure of purchasing the machine worthy. If we compare it in living our lives, the Bible is our manual, our guide to live this life properly and holy. Instructions about industry, ethics, good behavior and holiness are present in the book. In addition, it gives us warning about what activities should be avoided. It also states what will happen to us if we follow or disobey His laws.

2. It serves as reference about history.

The Bible is a book that contains historical facts about the struggles, governance, adventures and religious actions of Christian people thousands of years ago. One of the famous historical events that are transcribed inside of the scripture is the birth of Jesus Christ. The book includes on how Joseph and Mary suffered just to look for a place for the coming of Messiah. With these facts, we can trace our lineage and the beginning of our Christian faith and beliefs.

3. It serves as tool in studying literature.

This book has plenty proverbs, tales and parables that have literary sense. These are perfect pieces to be used in literature subjects. Students can get inspirations from the heroic deeds and sacrifices of the various biblical personalities. The book can also be source of ideas of writers to create poems, short stories, novels and essays. Writers can get themes to make their stories realistic and relevant to readers’ lives.

But, these functions can give us bountiful blessings if we apply what are scribbled in the book in our lives and if we fully believe in Jesus and in His promises. Jesus is the Word. If we believe in His existence, then we can fully understand the Bible.

Start reading the Bible today. Share it. Adhere on it.

THREE TRUTHS HAPPENING IN SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND INTERNET

2015-04-18T07:20:00.003-07:00

Millions of people around the world have already accessed the world of Internet. Nowadays, we cannot live without it. We transact some documents via online. We also communicate by sending emails. We gather information from online news portals and other websites. As Internet flourish, social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others proliferate. No doubt that Internet and these sites have already made the world small and people who are separated by thousand miles are connected by these advancements. Internet is a blessing. However, some of us do not know how to utilize it properly and in good ways. Here are some five truths that are really happening in social networking sites and in internet.

People often write blatant words in sites.

Freedom of expression is one of the rights of an individual like the users of these sites. However, some of the users abuse their rights by mentioning harsh and most of the time, vulgar words. One time, I defended a local news organization fanpage about their “Throwback” news. Then, one Facebook user lambasted me when he cannot accept the article and my comment. He degraded me by telling I am an “omniscient” person. He also insulted my profile picture taken during my graduation. He told me that I must be ashamed of wearing my toga. Well, I replied him and tried my best to defend my side. Occasionally, you receive bad comments even though you did not comment using bad words.

Privacy is often destroyed.

We often forgot that social networking sites are public sites. We upload private pictures and videos without second thought. Then, we are annoyed if our pictures are being mocked or stolen by someone and used for other purposes. We should be careful in our actions while using these sites because your properties and sometimes your privacy are affected.

Bashing is inevitable.

Artists are some of the users of these sites. These sites are their channels to connect with their fans. However, artists cannot escape the eyes of their bashers. Most of the internet users bash artists with below the belt words. Artists should bear maximum tolerance in dealing with these bashers. Criticisms are part of the complicated lives of people in showbiz industry because they are public figures.

Internet access is a right. Because of this, we can utter our words, inform people and persuade people. However, we must practice etiquette in using the Internet. If we practice our manners in commenting photos and in opinions, no more wrath and no more wreckage in all Internet users.