General Insights

One of the basic stages of the teaching career during the undergraduate study is practice teaching. It is the most important phase of the teacher education program where the prospective teacher practically applied the knowledge, skills, abilities and strategies they acquired in the classroom.

The student teaching experience provides pre-service teachers the space and opportunity to learn how to ask important questions about teaching and learning, come to know children and adolescents by observing and interacting with them consistently over time, apply newly acquired knowledge, theories, strategies and models in a variety of contexts within and across classrooms, and experiment with, design and adapt practice according to learners' needs.

During the practice teaching experience, pre-service teachers are guided and instructed by two key individuals, the cooperating or mentor teacher, and the university supervisor. While both work collaboratively to support the growth and development of the student teacher, each assumes a very specific role.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck both teachers and students in coming up with learning delivery modalities to pursue learning amidst pandemic.

During this period, adjustment is craved for it requires a wider understanding, patience and a deeper appreciation of the teaching process. Wonders are discovered, hardships are overcome and courage is developed.

During my practice teaching journey, I truly enjoyed teaching kids because that is what I really wanted since I'm in grade school. I love teaching even if sometimes I get tired of doing lesson plans and power point presentations. There are times that I only slept 3 hours just to finish my lesson, and to practice my discussion in everyday teaching.

I realized that as a teacher, I need to prepare a lesson plan that fits to the learners’ level, needs, interests, teaching situations, and the teachers understanding of how learners learn best, the time and the resources available. Lesson planning is very important in the lives of teachers because it helps them conduct lesson in an orderly fashion and it allows students to know what they are going to learn and on how it fits into their needs.
After the demonstration lessons, I felt relived, contented and happy. Relieved because ”I made it!” I had overcome my fears. We really need to connect with ourselves, our materials, our feelings or response about our material, how we would like our students to feel and how we would like to achieve this connection with their hearts and minds. Contented because I know and I believed that I made my part since I gave my very best to impart and share ideas to my students. I motivated my students in enhancing their skills. I really tried my best to make them feel comfortable when learning. And I truly believed in the students’ capacity to succeed and I am dedicated to them in achieving their success. Lastly, I felt happy because I also saw the happiness in the face of my students. I had enjoyed the class. They are all very engaged and they really participated fully during the classroom activities. “I am happy because my students are happy”
After my demonstration, I realized that teaching isn’t an easy job. It requires our full dedication, love and compassion on the profession and the learners. Dedicated in a sense that we, teachers should have the ability to inspire students through approaches, actions, and even through the lessons and activities that students were engaged. “Teachers cannot teach what they do not know”. And in teaching, things that should be taught must be good, true and correct.

Lastly, this Practice Teaching02 is very helpful for all the aspiring teachers because in this course we are already experiencing how a real or professional teacher in school teaches his or her students.

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