“Attend classes. Teach. Teach, go home... and go to the classes once again.”

Yes. Life of a teacher just goes around this routine. Ordinary. Simple.

Half of my ten years of professional life was spent on the above mentioned routine. Sometimes, it does not excite me anymore going to my class. I felt, I was not actually teaching but just giving my students burden.

Not until summer of 2007. The Foundation Upgrading Standard of Education (FUSE) had done great things if not wonders, to my life as a teacher. I was personally helped and enlightened. The three (3) day training and workshop enhanced my skills, knowledge and attitude toward teaching.

After that training, I went home very excited and enthusiastic to go to my class and apply the learning that I had. Of course, that was a sort of a “natural thing” for a freshly trained teacher!

Right after that week, I borrowed a TV screen from the school, bought a DVD player (I wasn’t lucky in the raffles of VCD players!) intended for my class. I browsed and read books given by FUSE and relearn, re-study and rehearse what I learned. I was indeed so excited.

FIRST WEEK was an Experience!

Fourth Year Ruby, my advisory was not a first section class. I couldn’t describe the excitement and eagerness in their eyes upon hearing that we would be using the television as medium of their learning. Everybody was on their feet, trying to help installing the gadgets. Some were rearranging the seats for better viewing.

So, we were all set! I did the short introduction about how did the program reached our school. They knew about the excellent facilitators from University of the Philippines, Phillipine Normal College, La Salle and many other good fellows. They also knew about how philanthropic and concern Mr. Lucio Tan is to the education of the Filipino children.

I was motivating them (my students) to develop critical thinking by presenting first some of the words in the story which they tried to guess the relationship/connection to the story’s title. The class was so noisy, presenting their own guess. Then I slowly unravelled the story by chopping each part using the video. Everybody’s interest was engaged. It was fun!

During the abstraction process, I haven’t found so much difficulty. Thus, I said to myself, at last, I found a strategy to sustain my students’ interest.

How does it Affect Me?

Personally, I was so thankful for being part of the Mindanao wide FUSE training. Additional inputs and KSAs are motivating factors for my growth as a teacher and as a person. I gained confidence in my teaching capacity because I know the learning that I got through FUSE has given me the opportunity to expand and widen my horizon. It has broadened the perspective of my being a “molder” of this nation. It has given me a different spark in the eyes of my students. I led them the way but I don’t choose the way for them. I am an avid torch bearer for them to see the way.

The fire within me to share is burning. I even found it rewarding to mentor my fellow teachers in my school. I felt it my responsibility to spread the good news of FUSE...and that is, not to take new technology and changes in education as BURDEN or TASKS rather a challenge to better what is already good. We still have to walk the extra mile if we want to see our community or nation reclaim its world status in education. This is not an easy endeavour. It means the commitment of everyone; not only of the teachers but of the entire citizenry, as well.

On the other hand, I am now looking other opportunities to extend my newfound synergy in teaching to become more perpetuating. I have tapped bright students to mentor or assist slow pacing students. This is to ensure that no one is left behind in the process. Though, sometimes, I find it taxing because I have to counter-check the result. Nevertheless, knowing that in the end it is the students’ learning that became the end of all this, it just inspire me to do more. To some extent, I have also tried to indigenize the process of education because of the inadequacy of materials or the absence of it in my place. I utilized what is just available in my surrounding. As a teacher, I observed a great deal of change in my attitude of coming up with other materials for my students’ sake.

What are the proofs of this passion?

Soon after my training, and based on my previous performances as a classroom teacher, I was promoted to a Master Teacher 1 Position. I too, became one of the members of the Division’s Pool of trainers/facilitators which handled roll-outs on various DepEd programs and in-Service Training (INSET).

Right now, I co-managed the implementation of the Drop Out Reduction Program of our school. This is in consonance with our commitment to reduce Dropout Rate, increase Participation Rate and improve Achievement Rate of our Division. Moreover, Education for All (EFA) 2015 goal’s of producing functionally literate graduates is being supported by this endeavour.

In closing, let me say, I am a teacher ready for other challenges ahead of me. It may not be easy but I know, it is not impossible to attain because God is with me all the way. God bless all teachers in this country! Mabuhay!

Estrelita A. Pena
Kabasalan National High School
Division of Zamboanga Sibugay

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.