It was our first day travelling from our respective homes to the school where we will conduct our Practice Teaching 02 which is at Lakan Dula High School located at Tondo, Manila. We went to Philippine Normal University first before going to LDHS so we did not have to wake up so early. The trip was not that hard and confusing, but it will surely take time considering I’m from Cavite.

When we arrived, we were accommodated by the Head of Grade 10 teachers, Mrs. Cristina Malana, and we were directly introduced to some of the English Teachers sitting in the LDHS' open court area. After some casual greetings, we were accompanied to the English Faculty Department where some English teachers stayed. Some of them were busy fixing some school papers and others were teaching. We then went to a certain room where we all sat down and formally introduced ourselves one-by-one. I went first and added something on my basic information: I am the only and first one in our family pursuing the path of education.

I was instructed that my cooperating teacher will be Mrs. Wenefrida A. Manglicmot and my session was in the morning. It was a good thing for me because just the thought of going home during rush hours already tires my inner self.

Today, we had our whole day on-site reporting at Lakan Dula High School. I also got to meet my cooperating teacher, Ma’am Winnie. We had a long chat about our personal lives and what we will do on the time given to us for our Practice Teaching 2. I knew that she was a mother of 4 and was currently residing at Marilao, Bulacan. She travels everyday as well just to go to school so she referred to both of us as “Mandirigma ng Daan” or someone who travels for hours and hours just to get somewhere.

Every Monday and Thursdays, the school conducts their synchronous class. Since it was Thursday that day, Ma’am Winnie led five English classes from different sections from Grade 9; 9-11, our advisory class, 9-4, 9-5, 9-23, and 9-25. I also got to meet and greet them hello because Ma’am Winnie introduced me to them. I look forward to the day that I get to teach them.

During their class, I was listening the whole time. The students were asked to give an update regarding their performance task which is Panel Evaluation. Some sections still have not started with their task yet even though the deadline is tomorrow so when Ma’am Winnie knew that, she scolded them right away. Honestly, if I were one of her students, I would be scared of her and feel hurt because some words that she used were somewhat inappropriate to use in class. Well, I guess that’s just how teachers become after spending twenty plus years in the field of education. I hope I don’t become that way.

Ma’am Winnie told me not to go to school today. This is because she knew I would not do anything yet either in class or in school. Therefore, I just scanned the module that she uses in her class as an early preparation for my actual daily teaching which will happen two weeks from now. Based on the module, the topic will be about Critical Issues. From that, I started to conceptualize my lesson plan and thought of activities that would be possible to conduct during my teaching.

Since today was Monday, we have our synchronous classes. Ma’am Winnie was the one who led the first 3 classes and her topic was a continuation about the topic that they had last week which is about citing and evaluating the credibility and reliability of evidence that can be found on text. However, during the last two classes, Ma’am Winnie asked me to take over the class because she had an unexpected errand at school.

I was quite shocked and had a quick panic attack because the transition was so sudden and I was not prepared to take over yet during that time. I thought the time that I spent observing was very limited for me to lead the class considering I did not know the students that much so I could not build a connection yet. However, I had no choice because there would not be no one to take over the class and since I am her student-teacher, I had to do it.

It was not that bad, but it was not that good either. I tried to discuss based on how Ma’am Winnie did for the past three sessions and I successfully finished the discussion on the last two classes for the day. I stuttered a lot because I was very nervous and it was quite challenging because the sections that I handled were one of the “lower sections”. Good thing some of the students were answering so I was not lost during the flow of the discussion. Ma'am Winnie and I had a post conference after my last class and I shared everything that happened during the time that she was gone.

Even though I was supposed to be at school today, I stayed at home because today was our Pinning Ceremony at Philippine Normal University. Though it happened virtually and we were not required to go to school, I still asked Ma’am Winnie if she could let me do it at our home because my mom skipped her work just to put the pin on my shirt and to witness the ceremony itself. Luckily, Ma’am Winnie allowed me. Still, even though I was excused for the day, I still managed to maximize my time so after the ceremony was done, I used my remaining time to write my two lesson plans for my first two lessons which will happen next week. I enjoyed writing the lesson plans because as I write, I am also imagining how it would turn out in the class next week.

I went to school today and there was not much that we did. There was a special one-on-one meeting of teachers and those students at risk or those who are bound to receive a failing grade this quarter. We were asked to guard the main gate of the school to accommodate those students who don't know which room they will go to or which teacher they should meet. Aside from this, I also passed the lesson plans that I made yesterday to Ma’am Winnie. She made a few comments, mostly on my verb use, and I was good to go.

Today marked my last observation day because on Monday, I will be the one to fully handle the class. The discussion of Ma’am Winnie went well and they were informed that I will be their teacher for two weeks starting next week. During our post conference, she provided final tips and words of wisdom because I will be handling the class next week.

According to her, it will not be easy especially on the last two sections, but as long as I put my heart into it, I will be able to surpass it. Additionally, I should just enjoy teaching and not think of it as a mere responsibility because if I do, I will easily become exhausted.

I passed my PowerPoint presentation to Ma’am Winnie today and she complimented me because it was too advanced and neat just like she preferred. Since we don’t have classes today, us English majors were tasked by most of the cooperating teachers to clean the hallway in front of the English Department because there was so much dust that needed to be gone. It was quite fun because I did it together with my classmates, but it was far from my expectations of what I would do during my stay at Lakan Dula High School. Because of this, I realized that there are so many things that teachers need to do instead of focusing on teaching alone. It honestly scared me thinking I will still be doing the same thing when I get teaching at public schools.

I got to handle five classes today! It was exhausting and very voice-loosening but it was also fulfilling! My topic was about critical issues. My favorite part of my teaching was when I asked the students to identify which critical issue is being portrayed to a certain picture. I loved all the answers because it showed just how much they try to involve themselves in the critical issues that we are experiencing not only here in the Philippines but also in the whole world. Regardless of being part of the top or lower sections, I can say that the students really enjoyed the discussion because they are very participate not only on verbal recitations but also on how they shared their thoughts on the chat box or Google Meet.

After all the classes, Ma’am Winnie and I directly started our post conference. She complimented my whole performance and said that the discussion had a good phrasing and that I delivered and explained things and activities very well. Though she mentioned that I should try to talk less, she also mentioned that because of my fast paced talking, it became visible that I want to share many things to the point that I did not know which to say first. It was a very very nice experience and I cannot wait to do it again on Thursday.

I led five classes again today! It was still connected to the topic of Critical Issue but to a more specific content: considerations and techniques in identifying a critical issue. I felt that the students, especially those from the 7:00 am class, were not that energized as much as last Monday. Ma’am Winnie noticed it as well so she would often ask for her time in the middle of my discussion to call out those students who were unresponsive. Despite the challenge, I was still able to finish all my five classes for today.

I was at school today but I did not do much aside from making my PowerPoint presentation for my classes next week including the one that I will be using for my grand demonstration teaching. I did this on inside the English Department but I put my cellphone exactly right beside the wall at my back where the signal is great which allowed me to search for pictures and elements that I will use on my presentation.

Today was my second to last meeting with the students and to be honest, I was quite sad thinking I won’t be able to see them next week. Therefore, I tried to make today’s class entertaining as much as possible. Today’s topic was about taking a stand, asserting someone’s perspective, and defending one’s opinion. Successfully, the students were able to grasp the topic and they did enjoy the discussion. For their asynchronous task, I asked them to create a debate script in preparation for the debate activity on Thursday which will be my grand demonstration teaching.

Today’s discussion was quite crucial not only for me but for the students as well. If I don’t teach them well then they won’t understand the lesson and won’t be able to write their debate script for Thursday. If that happens, my major activity for my grand demo won’t be done. Luckily, everything went smoothly and everyone was looking forward to the debate.

My only task for today is to make sure that the students are doing their task which is the writing of the debate script. In the middle of writing, they keep on asking me things that they should do and could consider which I do appreciate because it means that they are taking this activity seriously. Good thing that everyone passed the script before the given deadline. And as I read everything that they passed, I can see that they really did an extensive research to supplement their claims and support their arguments. The questions that they prepared for the other group were also expressive and full of food for thought. I seriously cannot wait for the debate proper to happen!

I finalized my lesson plan for today. I decided to separate the one that I used last Monday and what I will be using tomorrow for a clearer perspective of my lesson flow and activities. I also checked my Canva presentation one last time to make sure that there weren’t any typological errors and mistakes on the use of Canva elements. Ma’am Winnie also gave me tips on how I can successfully deliver my grand demo: be confident, be natural, be you. I cannot say that I am not nervous but the fact that I am well-prepared for tomorrow’s discussion was enough for me to sleep peacefully

I had my grand demonstration earlier and before I go very detailed about what happened, I just want to say that everything was a success!

I did the same activity on all my five classes for today so when it was the time for the respective section that I chose to conduct my grand demonstration teaching with, I was late for eight minutes. This is due to the never-ending argument of the previous section. Luckily, when I entered the next class, everyone was present, even Mrs. Ubiña, the students, and some cooperating teachers from Lakan Dula High School English Department; they were all patiently waiting.

The whole session went well. I delivered the activities in a smooth and brief manner to give more time on the main activity which was debate. To be honest, my grand demonstration teaching wouldn’t be this successful if not for the students who were very much prepared for the debate. Aside from the script that they prepared and presented, they even gave questions to the other group which made it more exciting and intense. It really pained me to say goodbye to this section because this was the section that I was most attached to during my stay in Lakan Dula High School.

We did a post conference right after my grand demonstration teaching with Mrs. Ubiña, Ma’am Winnie, Ma’am Malana, and Sir Getigan. I was really happy and fulfilled because some of Mrs. Ubiña’s comment to my performance where I have a good command of teaching, my mastery of the topic was very visible, I was cool, and she could not believe that a debate could be well-facilitated even in an online set up which she thought was impossible. Ma’am Malana also added that I was very eloquent in the English language. All in all, it was a great experience. I’m sure it would be even greater if this happened face-to-face.

Since there would be no more synchronous classes, I just provided an asynchronous task to the students today. This is to assure that they will still be mindful of what happened in our class despite us not meeting each other virtually. Also, Ma’am Winnie instructed me to fix some students’ forms from our advisory class such as their PSA forms and SF10.

Today was a very busy and exhausting day because this is the scheduled day for the students to return their books. It was fun as well because I got to meet our advisory class and I’m very happy that they were thrilled to meet me in person as well. I received and categorized each book by subject and since there were 45+ students, the height made by how I categorized each book was just unimaginable.

Today was also the day where we, student teachers from Philippine Normal University and two from Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila, decided to conduct our farewell lunch treat to the teachers of Lakan Dula High School English Department. Each of us had a contribution worth 250 pesos and we ordered a food set from Noodle House Blumentritt Branch. We only planned to invite just the cooperating teachers but they also called other teachers as well, some from other departments, to come and join us. Luckily, the food was enough to accommodate our starved tummies and all of us were satisfied.

A group of friends from our advisory class even bought Ma’am Winnie and I a Strawberries and Cream flavored frappuccino from Frapatea, a store located just near the school. How thoughtful of them, right?

Today marks my last day present in Lakan Dula High School as well as the Recognition Day of Grades 7, 8, and 9. A lot of parents and students were present in school wearing their bright smiles and fabulous outfits and uniforms. I was very happy during the awarding because I got to see my students whom I taught aside from our advisory class. I got to see them walking the stage with their parents and guardians while receiving their respective awards. I could not be even more proud of them because they all deserved the medals.

Before leaving, I bid my last personal farewell for Ma’am Winnie. We had a ten minute talk before I left and it was all about how she wished me the best on my journey after I graduate. She even cried silently because she shared some of her experiences and told me that she was seeing a potential in me and I just have to make use of that potential to achieve greater things in life.