My first exposure with FUSE educational media was in 1999. It was a weekly program aired over a local television station. On Saturday mornings, I would tune in to the tube before anybody else at home does. I was a second year college student then.

I never imagined that my Saturday habit will matter. I only sensed it was necessary to watch CONSTEL, though I never knew why. All I knew was that the program was
interesting, especially their science topics.

I saw the FUSE materials again after 8 years. It was when I entered my master's. One of my professors used a CONSTEL video to sample us a unique approach in teaching grammar. After that, I made up my mind that at first semester's opening, I will teach my lead lesson using the techniques I saw.

Thanks to one of my college directors, I was able to attend the free seminar offered by FUSE. I also received free instructional materials from them. It was a great experience for me. I learned a lot.

I do not know how it happened but I got blank sometime after the seminar. Although I knew that the kit is useful, I felt totally ignoramus like I never attended the lecture. I did not know how to begin.

Besides losing my momentum, there were other problems I had to bear. The perpetual lack of books and other reference materials was punishment. My worries waxed when I was assigned to teach a new specialization course in language. It was terrible, so I was forced to conduct online research. The Internet did provide materials for my classes to use, but the contents were verbally challenging that slower ones found them difficult to grasp. Research funds did not come easy either.

I spent many hours desperately squeezing my brain for answers. I got drained thinking what to do next.

It was then that I remembered the FUSE kit. It was just the break I needed, since there were no other options left. I only had to borrow a disc player and a monitor. The kit that had been idle for some months will find its use for the first time. I sighed relief.

I tried it.

And it worked. After the first session, a student approached me and asked if she could borrow the video. She felt a need for it. A gush of excitement gripped me when I heard her remark. It was my first success.

The next teaching days were smooth-sailing. Students were happy to experience a renewed class. They learned and enjoyed the subject better, and the results were all favorable. Since then, whenever I have problems on references, I would reach for the discs and teacher support materials for information. Then my worries are over.

The kit helped me construct lesson plans and syllabi even on tensed subjects with much ease and confidence. Aside from the good content, it provided technique suggestions which I also shared with a group of student-teachers who have shown particular interest in the materials. I was another success.

I endorsed the kit to my fellows, but some were unreceptive to it. There were a few who consented, although they were hesitant. They were not doubting what the discs contained. They were just thoughtful if they could really use the thing. But they tried them nonetheless.

I thought the materials would be a solo enterprise for me. I got more excited when I learned that those who tried them had an easier time teaching. That was good news, knowing a simple offer sparked a change.

I never doubted sharing the instructional kit with others. Through the support materials and my fellow teachers refresh their methods and add to their knowledge. I believe that a good teacher is someone who could not only teach well, but one who sincerely shares himself, so that others learn. As there is dignity in moulding a student's intellect, there is also dignity in affecting other teachers with your teaching. That way, they truly can enjoy being a teacher.

And the best thing about FUSE is that it upholds the biblical truth 'What you receive, freely give', spoken by the wisest Teacher for all time.

CECILE ILIDAN VIZCAYA
10 PDPM Village Magsaysay St., Parang, Marikina City
School: Marikina Polytechnic College - 2 Shoe Ave. cor. Mayor Chanyungco St.,
Sta. Elena, Marikina City
Tel.: 947-4469; Mobile phone: 09287095788;
Email: bluestar_icon@yahoo.com

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.