Teacher's teacher

Before classroom Teacher, now World Blogger

2016-02-04T18:34:00.001-08:00

To even think that I would engage in Blogging as another financial undertaking is like "going to Mars" like what Matt Damon did and plant potatoes . . .
Yet life gives you these twists and turns in your life that now this Teacherallherlife inside a classroom is a World Blogger. What I mean by World Blogger is not necessarily World famous although only time can tell . . . but that my horizons are now no longer limited inside the four walls of the classroom. Now, I can blog anytime, anywhere and virtually about anything and everything!

I am 65 years old so definitely am "past my prime" whatever the phrase means. From my end however, it is not a question of being under or overage but that there is an urge or hunger in my way of thinking that if it can no longer be contained all I do is blog it. Throw it to the world of ideas!!!

/thus, if before I was a classroom Teacher, now I am a World Blogger? How about YOU???

Teachers are our election warriors so let us protect them

2016-01-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

Many elections come and go but the teachers are stuck up with post election work. Then you hear of teachers who receive their honoraria at a snail pace. Will this happen again in the incoming May elections? Your guess is as good as mine.

Teachers are our election warriors so let us protect them. Let us also give them a a "pat on the shoulder" by giving their honoraria on time. If at all possible, give the money ahead of the elections.

Let us make the teachers' work easier by voting correctly. Let us allow the teacher to do their jobs without the harassment . As electorate, let us make the May elections our way of making our beloved country, the Philippines,

Social Security System needs drastic changes to cater to members' needs especially increase of pension

2016-01-27T17:44:00.004-08:00

CHIZ WANTS SSS TO ITEMIZE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero called on the Social Security System (SSS) to make public its investment portfolio and explain to its two million pensioners why President Aquino was correct in his assessment that the pension fund would go bankrupt in 2029 if he did not veto the Congress-ratified P2,000 increase in their pension.

“It is about time that the SSS, with its officials earning millions of pesos in salaries and bonuses, be put under the spotlight and be made to explain in full details why the agency will go belly up if we grant the much-needed P2,000-increase in the monthly pension of its retired members,” said Escudero, the leading vice-presidential candidate.

In his veto message, the President said that enacting the SSS pension hike bill could lead to “substantial negative income for the SSS” and depletion of its Investment Reserve Fund by 2029.

The Chief Executive explained that with the pension increase of P2,000 per retiree, multiplied by the present number of more than 2 million pensioners, would result in a total payout of P56 billion every year.

Compared against the annual investment income of P30 billion to P40 billion, such total payment for pensioners will yield a deficit of P16 billion to P26 billion annually, the President said.

As such, Aquino said the deficit would seriously compromise the current members of about 31 million just to favor the two million pensioners and their dependents.

Escudero said this was the reason why the Filipino people, particularly the pensioners and their dependents, “would want to know where the SSS bigwigs have invested their contributions.”

The veteran lawmaker also recalled a statement the President made during the 55th Founding Anniversary of the SSS on September 3, 2012, during which he emphasized the role of the pension fund in helping its members.

“SSS ensures that its funds are protected made to grow so that it can continue its mission of providing viable, universal and equitable social security protection for now and for more generations to come,” read the speech carried by the official website of the Office of the President.

Escudero said it was ironic that for that anniversary celebration, the SSS chose the theme: “Kabuhayang Pinagsikapan, Seguridad Maaasahan.”

“So where are all the fruits of these contributions by these retirees? The security they were promised?” Escudero asked.

“Surely, these contributions made by SSS members that were also used to pay the millions of pesos in salaries, benefits and bonuses of the agency’s officers should have also been considered investments, investments to make sure that they use SSS funds properly so that these would get the best yield in the investment market,” he added.

Yet now, Escudero said, the pension fund is “using this excuse of poor investment yield as the reason why SSS pensioners cannot get their just increase in pension.”

“If there is anybody that should be made to suffer for the shortfall in investment income, it shouldn’t be the pensioners but those under whose care the billions of pesos in SSS contributions were put so that they could invest them properly,” he said.

January 2016 is precursor to a New Year

2016-01-09T18:07:00.002-08:00

For some of us who were born last 1950, 2016 is a very long time. For us who have begun teaching since 1971, the career has been there for a long time also.

This blogger is 65 years old and has taught since 1971 so she is a senior citizen and a retiree. January 2016 will definitely be a year of new experiences being 65 years old and a retiree.

One of the more exciting events was my Zipzone adventure. Take a look

It took me to become 65 years old and a retiree to give in to the curiosity how it feels to conquer the longest zipline.

May 2016 then give us more energy and zest to New adventures and New Everything. Teacher, fellow retiree, game?

Teachers all over the world: active or not - Happy New Year

2016-01-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

It may not be significant to greet because events like Christmas and New Year logically come every year but because I say the greeting for you, it is in fact significant.

Merry Christmas 2015 and Happy New Year 2016 (y) Let us try to become more interactive this New Year. May we have more energy to go on and reach out to each other because sometimes this makes our lives more entwined and interconnected. Do you agree?

So let us just limit ourselves to this beautiful message where the only reality that matters is LOVE, LOVE and LOVE, Christmas or no more. New Year or same year. Smile :)

Teacher retires, what is next?

2015-12-14T09:40:00.001-08:00

So retirement becomes mandatory at 65 years old even if the teacher has not reached 15 year minimum requirement to avail of monthly pension. This is one painful fact that every teacher must take to heart if only to give justice to the years of service and avail of the fruits of your labor during your heyday years.

Sad to say however, this was not foremost in the minds of some Human Resource in-charge. Nobody usually thinks retirement will come one day. But then it does. So since the question goes: what is next after the teacher retires? To some it means a long time of travel and rest. To others, a time to make good the promise to have the organic vegetable garden! Still to others, it means, another entrepreneurial endeavor when the opportunity is given.

Thus, life remains ever challenging whether still in the work force or after retirement. It is your personhood that matters. Even being a teacher is not the most important qualification as your vivacity and versatility. So are you game teacher-retirees?

Retirement is both painful and happy event

2015-07-11T23:18:00.004-07:00

Teaching, they say, is the noblest profession and after teaching for more than 40 years, I can vouch for it. It is the retirement package however that the government or private institution that you serve that can make you smile or frown.

In my case, I availed of optional retirement after 20 years in a private establishment so the take home package was not the amount expected that allows the retiree to live a decent life. This is complicated by the fact that there are still children who go to school. So the logical decision is to teach somewhere and this time in a government institution. So I did but I forgot that I have only 15 more years to spare otherwise I will not receive pension. As it happened it is the case now.

So, I may be the "guinea pig" but I was not extra careful myself to protect my rights so no one could be blamed except myself. Still the HR could have been a little cooperative and went a mile more to remind me of the precarious situation I was in.

Teaching, indeed, is the noblest profession but it is not the best paying job in the world. However, I received the best send-off retirement/65th birthday so I can never complain. Most of all my children do not mind giving me financial support or give their share to shoulder some of the bills so there is no reason to complain.

Therefore, retirement is both painful and happy event but with all the attending perks, it is still more of a happy event!

Happy Easter fellow mentors

2015-04-05T10:36:00.001-07:00

It was not long ago when Holy Week began and now the week ends with Easter Sunday. How days go by now but first things first: Happy Easter fellow Mentors! At a time when all we hear are bad news any semblance of Easter spirit is a welcome respite. Over and above material things is the Easter message, that Jesus is risen Alleluia!

Education as already been shared by experts hopes to "lift us up" and makes every individual more human and humane. Mentors always make this realization ever present. May we have more mentors who believe in this.

Let us begin this dream right there in our own homes.

I may be retiring but I am not becoming retarded

2015-04-03T21:40:00.001-07:00

In one of life's scenarios, I blurted out that I will soon retire when a colleague commented: "Oh, you will soon retire? so soon, you will become retarded!" This remark was one supposed to be taken as a joke although that somebody literally said it to my face. I want to believe that this guy who said it at the time it happened, did not mean it so I must take it lightly. Today, Holy Saturday, it just dawned on me that while I still take it as a joke, people out there should not be mean, said lightly or not.

Teachers, like us, have the uncanny ability to incorporate this setting in one of our class discussions. Your parents will be proud of you and the world will be better for sure. We may have all the inventions that intelligence can produce but the best is not something technology can muster, it is only education that can painstakingly nurture every person to become humane.

In my case, I have been teaching since 1972 and all through the years, I think I have done my best in the field of teaching. Then I realize I am retiring on July 1 and am still farther away from saying with confidence to the Lord: "I have done my best and admit to all the students brought to my care that I was their best teacher." Does this mean I am accepting the comment that I am becoming retarded? No, I am just accepting the part of the painful realization that life is bigger than my retirement. I will continue to become a better person beyond retirement. I may be retiring but certainly and definitely I am not becoming retarded.

Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Cathoic Church visits the Philippines

2015-01-20T00:40:00.001-08:00

For the visit it was first Sri Lanka then the Philippines. The dates came and went, January 15 to January 19, 2015. To this day, it was like a whirlwind for we did not have enough of his awesome smile and generous aura but he had to go back to Rome.

In my case, way back 1971, I saw Pope Paul VI up close in Quezon Memorial Circle. I cried treasured the rare moment. Forty-three years later, I say Pope Francis, on tv, and I also cried. As teachers, we realize the roles we play being the second parents of our learners, but with the Pope, he lifts all of us to a metaphysical level and there are no more categories. With Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ, we are all brothers and sisters and he has come to tell us of God's love.

Pope Francis, we love you.

Alumni of Bukidnon Normal School or Bukidnon State College or Bukidnon State University Take Note

2014-11-11T01:31:00.000-08:00

If you are a graduate of Bukidnon Normal School or Bukidnon State College or Bukidnon State University then we have to meet again as alumni on April 30 to May 2, 2015. So take two for clarity, let us reserve April 30, May 1 and May 2 of 2015 for by then it is a Grand Homecoming for all of us who love our Alma Mater.

Make it a point to visit Malaybalayan.blogspot.com to read all the details. Malaybalayan is the chairperson of the Publicity Committee so she needs you fellow alumni. Give your e-mail address or cell phone number so we can personally follow you up.

So tell all our friends that our next big date is the Grand Homecoming on April 30 to May 2, 2015.

August 17, 2014 is wake up call, blog!

2014-08-16T21:06:00.003-07:00

Many months have passed by and still my enthusiasm level was and is on its all time low. Then like any thing in this world, one day gives you a wake up call and its message, blog! So here goes fellow teachers . . .

In the midst of the craziness of our respective schedules, do you agree with me that there is this tugging feeling that out there is the world of information and a wide range of readers like you? This alone forces me to get hit in the head and allows my right side of the brain to go blog!

Like today, August 17, 2014, Sunday, while most of you out there are doing so many odd things especially to just relax and smile to yourself, I call on you to read my blog of the day and include me in your reverie :).

For one, teachers like us only have few moments to ourselves. Girl Scouts for example have decided to hold an on-the-spot essay writing contest this coming September 13 a precursor for Josefa Llanes Escoda celebration on September 20. Expect more details about this in my renewed zest to blog because you are there to read and respond to it.

For another, I am one of the many teachers who will soon retire come July 1, 2015, my 65th birthday. This day will be my last day of service in Bukidnon State University. I have a sad thing to share though. After teaching all my life in various schools, college and universities, I forgot to consider that to receive a pension in a public institution one has to have a minimum of 15 years of service. In my case, I forgot to do my job well for I did not count well so I found out recently I have only 13 years to my credit so I could only avail of "take home cash" and no pension. Agghhh!!! I am so disheartened so I am still wishing a miracle will happen to change my luck. Fellow teachers, learn from my negligence, make sure you take care of your GSIS payments for at least 15 years or you will experience the same fate I am about to bitterly swallow.

Fellow teachers, may I know how many we are who have each other to follow so we can organize a group of bloggers and plan course of action to inspire each other when lean months come along . . . Take care and 'til the next blog . . . (y)

Teachers love summer for it is a time to invigorate but the happiness is incomplete what with requirements for clearance a remaining baggage

2014-05-12T06:58:00.002-07:00

Teachers recite their classes everyday, every week the whole year round. So when Summer comes which fall in April and May, these months are heaven-sent. So I am in heaven myself for I am off this summer. Indeed summer is a time to invigorate one's sagging enthusiasm. However this contentment is barred due to the pending requirements that are just endless. The happiness that is long awaited becomes incomplete because of this scenario. So more and more I am looking forward to my retirement early next year when the only requirement is to make use of time according to one's plan for the day without any paper to correct and meetings and seminars to attend to.

Just the same, since teachers are very creative and productive amid all the chaos of being employed.

So hello summer. And soon enough, hello school year 2014-2015.

Peace Education is this teacher's load for the semester, this New year, Peace be with you!

2014-01-20T13:21:00.001-08:00

After a long respite, here comes your Teacher's teacher blogging in. This month of the New Year - 2014 - our main discussion will be more about Peace Education. This is mainly because this blogger-teacher is teaching Peace Education for her load of the semester. I have eight (8) classes of students all ready and eager to hear more of Peace: its main concepts, the various perspectives about it, the role models we have who made Peace their life's statement, their lifestyle.

So let us make 2014 a year of Peace - a year that has to work for it for around us are negations of it. Let us make January, the first month of the Peace year. Are you in?

Education Week for the College of Teacher Education, Bukidnon State University - That's my Teacher (Demo Contest)

2013-12-04T23:17:00.002-08:00

It is interesting to note that one can be a neophyte teacher or a veteran mentor but we are basically the same in pursuing the mission. Indeed an anonymous writer was correct when he/she declared teaching is the State noblest deed. Every teacher goes on learning either as a mentor or as a person who teaches.

Take the College of Teacher Education of Bukidnon University, December 4-8 is Education Week for us and today, being December 7, is Demonstration Teaching Contest with me as one of the judges. Take a look at the criteria we used so you can comment or get some tips should you hold one in your school. The contestants are second year to fourth year college students who are enrolled in the College of Teacher Education taking Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education or Secondary Education.

I. Teacher's Personality (10%)

A. The teacher contestant appears neat and well-groomed.
B. The teacher is free from mannerisms that tend to disturb the student's attention.
C. The teacher's personality is strong, enough to command respect and attention.
D.The teacher shows dynamism and enthusiasm.
E. The teacher possesses well-modulated voice.

II. Content (35%)

A. The teacher demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the subject matter.
B. She/He is able to relate lessons to actual life situations.
C. She/He is abreast of new ideas and understanding in the field.
D. She/He gives sufficient and concrete examples to create meaningful learning experiences.

continuation in the next blog . . .

In the meantime, may I know if you agree with the criteria or are their comments you can give?

Teachers who have reached senior citizen's level must retire from teaching because

2013-10-12T20:56:00.003-07:00

Most teachers remain teacher until they reach their sixties and if the law were amended to their eighties or nineties. Others are meant to do so but others are better retired once they reach their sixties and for good reasons.

One reason is for sanity. We can hardly accept the situation when pupils or students seem to become more hard headed as ever. The instruction goes: Write your name and time of class and date and day when exam was given otherwise some deduction is charged. Expect a number who do not follow it. Another reminder is given: a test will be given anytime so make sure to read the notes. Expect a number who continue to get fives or failing scores. For us teachers, instructions are sometimes "everything" but for a number of students or pupils: they could not care less.

Another reason if for mental stability. The spelling crisis goes on so words like its when it is supposed to be it's or there when it is supposed to be their or truely when it is supposed to be truly and all of them are in their junior or senior year in college. As ever we, the teachers, go berserk and ask where in the elementary to high school to college levels was weak.

Last reason is for posterity and practicability. After years of teaching, it is becoming clear that teachers can only do so much so let the others take over. In the meantime another world awaits: retirement years which can be another field of endeavor. a new love? a new culture? Perhaps, another set of years when another career is bound to make the senior citizens feel younger and live another realm of possibilities.

Teacher's teacher and fellow mentors, let us seize the day!

Teacher, teacher, what can you say about all the havoc in the world?

2013-09-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

It is comforting to note that when there are many crises that come to light, the teacher is one who is asked what she can say about all the havoc currently happening in the world.

Being one of the teachers then, she takes it upon herself to say something too. So let us begin with the world scene. One cannot but say that there is indeed havoc in the world and the turmoil is becoming not only spiritual but nuclear and chemical and all other ways and means to vent one's hatred towards one person or a country. While it is daunting it is also coming to terms with what the world will have to end with. It is not yet heaven so gradually the whole world must accept that whatever is out there can also be a means of believing more and loving even more.

Then we come to our national scene and one country or another is seen struggling with its financial crisis and all other multifaceted problems that haunt everyone else. We ask ourselves what we are doing and if we allow it continue without lifting a finger. As a Filipino, we have many unfinished businesses that beset our country the latest of course is the so-called Zamboanga conflict caused by Moro National Liberation Front Nur Misuari faction that attacked the city. You just have to google it to get all the horrific details. One's gut will really be turned upside down just watching the pain caused by the conflict. Many died and many more are injured especially those displaced. The queries in the eyes of the families who have nowhere o turn to but their faith in their government and generous persons and God are too painful to bear.

The regional and local scenes are not exactly without their own troubles. Certainly persons are basically the same so when they love then we have peace but when they hate then we know all the gory details of killing and murder and the like.

So teacher, what can you and I say about all the havoc in the world? We have only to begin where we are to know that our vocation as teachers places us in a unique sphere to make a difference. Before us are our pupils and students who are the future leaders of this world. Let us mold them not as robot but as beings made in the image and likeness of God Almighty who have been given the mission to act as stewards of this world while it lasts. As in the article "The Noblest Deed" we can tell the Maker that we have taught the engineers, the lawyers, the doctors, the nurses, the scientists, teachers, writers, businessmen, photographers, chemists, technicians, nutritionists (all other courses out there) and to Him we return the glory.

Like Girl Scouts all over the world who proclaim once a girl scout always a girl scout; teachers are too.

2013-08-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

Teacher'steacher has been away for quite sometime because of many commitments and other side activities but she professes with the Girl Scouts all over the world that "once a girl scouts, always a girl scout"since she is after all a Girl Scout too that she remains a teacher forever. What a way to say just to come backto the blogging scene. As though to say in with a faraway look that if at all possible, to use the tone of the Girl Scouts all over the world, once a blogger always a blogger?

So how has life been with you fellow netizens? This teacher, being two years away from retirement, the magicdate being July 1, 2015, intends to do better in her newfound love of blogging. If you continue to read Malaybalayan.blogspot.com why not?

Teacher'steacher will try to inspire her writing enthusiasm by labeling today as the new zest to keep the faith. Teachers all over the world, let us bind each other and renew the vigor of communicating internationally and locally.

Today, September 1 is only the beginning . . .

All Teachers in the Philippines have a public holiday to enjoy with loved ones

2013-06-11T17:36:00.002-07:00

It is June 12, Independence Day, so all Filipinos find themselves an extra holiday to enjoy with loved ones. In particular, teachers find an extra day to be with families.

Teachers should incorporate this event in their present and future lessons. In the course of time, significance of Independence from invaders and colonizers is not given its due emphasis. Time does this since time is always short. We never give time enough for memorable events. We have to strike our breasts in "mea culpa" as to the many occasions we do not thank God enough for the extended time.

At the moment however, let us just focus on June 12, the time when Independence was given to every Filipino. We look at each other and we raise our heads up to The Almighty for the great gift.

Teacher, what do you say about birthdays? about life? about schooling?

2013-05-30T19:32:00.003-07:00

There is one vocation that is so easy to go into but the hardest when the time for retirement comes. As you may well have guessed by now, it is teaching.

Teacher, what do you say about birthdays? about life? about schooling? These are only few talking points that are hurled to every teacher for it is expected of the teacher to know just about everything.

So about birthdays, this teacher is glad to share. This coming July 4, her son will visit just to celebrate all the birthdays of his siblings and his senior mom. March, April, May and July birthdays to be given a special touch by just being together. This is what birthdays are supposed to be for - a special day to be celebrated with loved ones. The cakes and the special food recipes are just the icing of the love that oozes when the family and friends join forces in praying for good health and more blessings from the Almighty who alone knows how birthdays keep coming.

About life, this teacher has 62 years of witnessing to it. Life makes us reflective of the routine we go through everyday for sometimes life can be taken away all of a sudden and it may or may not be too late. Experts say life is what you make it but ultimately life is really life with loved ones and friends and what comes out of it.

About schooling, this teacher has begun teaching when she was 19 years but she cannot exactly say she has made an excellent use of all the years. Now that she is preparing for her retirement on July 1, 2015 she cannot say she has done what she could have done very easily and end as a doctor of something. Still she had 20 years of married life with Boni which gave her Irene, Ben, Chev and Bon and this alone is what birthdays, life and schooling is about.

Teacher Reina, what have you learned? This lifetime says it all and thank you God for all these years.

It is back to school but our minds set on it mentors?

2013-05-29T00:04:00.001-07:00

A school year is a long time while summer is such a short one. Like it or not it is back to school this June 3, 2013 for public schools and June 10 for private schools. Amidst this scenario are our minds, fellow mentors, set on the inevitable that as teachers we have another school year.

Bent on welcoming it or not, we have to welcome another school year. Let us then set our minds on it and when June 3 or June 10 comes, let us embrace it.

Teachers, be proud of the voters this 2013 election, we have educated voters

2013-05-13T01:04:00.002-07:00

Early this morning of May 13, 2013, Teacher'teacher used her right to vote. It was a nice sight to behold that the proceedings were relatively peaceful. Very prominent is the way the voters went about their right to choose their leaders. In fact as Teacher'steacher took time to look around, she could not help but wish for the best of this blooming country, beloved Philippines. Imagine if you were a candidate and the majority would put you up there as their representative. It would realay be a great privilege and an honor to serve.

Teacher'steacher hopes the politicians knew exactly why they ran. There should be no place for vote buying because the citizens deserve only the best. So goes the day and we pray there are no more of the violence which had been announced. Imagine 52,014,648 registered voters who went about the 344,522 precincts. PCOS machines may work or not and definitely there would many discussions as to why we had to use these machines if there was budget for better ones. However, Filipinos have learned to make do with things.

If there is a breed of people who is famous for its patience and understanding, these are my co-Filipinos.

So Teachers, be proud of the voters this 2013 election time, we have educated voters. This coming school year, 2013-2014, we can proudly say we have more of them who will take care of this country who is fast becoming more aware that the country is the citizen's responsibility.

Teacher and Mom, Happy Mother's Day!

2013-05-11T20:25:00.001-07:00

Life has ways of giving each person a place in the sun. For teachers who are also mothers, they are given a rare opportunity to rear and form the children given to them by God following the right path of life.

To all the Teachers and at the same time Mothers all over the world, Happy Mother's Day on this special day, May 12, 2013, one day before 2013 election time in the Philippines.

More than ever before, teachers tell the world their unique vocation to mold the children and offer them chances to develop themselves according to their capabilities.

May this day last a lifetime to remind the teachers they have become co-creators with the Makers by virtue of their patience and humility to be there for the child no matter what.

Teachers and Mothers, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Teacher'steacher is a blogger so are there more of teachers who blog out there?

2013-05-11T04:49:00.002-07:00

Call it external influence but Teacher'steacher has been fortunate enough to meet a lot of young bloggers and what a heart warming experience it was. Are there more teachers out there who are also interested to remain teachers but are also bloggers like Teacher'steacher?

Today, May 11, Saturday, was another external opportunity where this teacher was just awed at how the young bloggers congregated in Rey's Grill and without much fun fare, brought out their tools and went through Blogging 101. Do contact Mindanaoan.com if you are interested so your group can have the same experience this group just had, all FREE.

So fellow teachers, leave a comment and see you in future informal gathering like the one we just had with Mindanaoan.

Have you seen a movie lately teacher?

2013-05-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

There are many things to do now that it is summer. Sad to say however, teachers do not have many opportunities to see a movie or two. This is understandable because by now most of them are preparing for the opening of classes School Year 2013-2014.

Take it from a fellow mentor while the aforementioned is understandable, come what may, you deserve a movie or two. So the question goes, have you seen a movie lately teacher?

The ones this teacher saw were Identity Theft and Iron Man 3 which really made her laugh, cry and laugh again and again. Indeed, movies do take you away from the everyday monotony of living the ordinary way.

So let us loosen ourselves fellow mentors and go see a movie! You deserve it!!