Teaching is the best profession!

“The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds for the purpose of satisfying it afterwards; and curiosity itself can be vivid and wholesome only in proportion as the mind is contended and happy.”

Those words quoted by Anatole France, a French poet and novelist, serve as my guiding principle as I go on with my journey in this noble but challenging profession.

Teaching is a continuous learning. Having been a teacher for more than twenty-years, I have applied variety of strategies to motivate my students and encourage them to participate in class discussion, but still I found them insufficient. Not to mention the innumerable seminars, workshops and trainings I have attended in English, Social Studies and Journalism which have nourished my teaching career and refreshed my skills. Who can ever say NO to my immediate superior or to the Division Supervisor in English when he/she tells me to attend trainings/workshops held in different parts of the country? Although I am sacrificing my time away from my family, I believe that such opportunities would enhance my talent and professional growth.

To be one of the FUSE participants is a great honor. I consider this a very rare chance – to be chosen in our division to attend the two-day training conducted by the Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education Inc. (FUSE) in the Pearl of Orient Tower, Roxas Boulevard, Manila last June 2008.

As I stepped on the floor of that elevated building, I felt amazed and curious to enter the conference room. Wow! Anyone can exclaim such word of admiration.

FUSE makes a difference. When the first speaker, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Tayao, introduced to the trainees the Vision and Mission of the FUSE, I became more interested of what the foundation is all about. We were enlightened that FUSE is a non-government organization composed of educators who voluntarily engaged themselves in upgrading the standard of education. Just imagine that these educators are mostly prominent personalities in our country is notable.

The focus of FUSE concern is teachers’ development. The speakers were very eloquent as they elucidate to the participants new insights and learning. All the Macro-skills in English were discussed – Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, Grammar and Literature. We had our workshops that tapped our talents and skills. Honestly speaking, I told the second-day trainor, Ms. Marilou Madronio, that such training was quite different – very fruitful! This was the only training in English I have ever attended that tackled strategies in Literature.

FUSE provides everything. What was significant was the distribution of teacher support materials like books and video CDs of 45 one-hour telelessons divided into six segments of the English language.

Founded by Dr. Lucio C. Tan on December 1, 1994, FUSE seeks to improve the skills in English, Science and Mathematics teachers. Its programs include regular teacher training workshops; a post-graduate scholarship program for Science and Engineering teachers; production and distribution of telecourses in English, Elementary Science, Chemistry, Physics and Math; and a host of other educational programs in partnership with government and private learning institutions.