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The most essential part of this SEA Teacher Batch 11 journey was the opportunity to immerse myself in the Philippine education system. At Tapaz Central Elementary School, I not only taught, but also learned how to be an adaptive educator amidst cultural diversity.
The most essential part of this SEA Teacher Batch 11 journey was the opportunity to immerse myself in the Philippine education system. At Tapaz Central Elementary School, I not only taught, but also learned how to be an adaptive educator amidst cultural diversity.
Observation Phase: Understanding Class Character and Culture
My first week began with in-depth observation. I sat in a corner of the classroom, observing the warm interactions between teacher and students. Here, I saw how the Philippine curriculum is implemented with a highly interactive approach. I noticed how students responded to English instructions and how the classroom was managed to maintain a conducive yet cheerful atmosphere.
Teaching Assistantship: Learning from the Experts
Before diving in fully, I had the opportunity to become a teaching assistant. During this phase, I was guided by two extraordinary individuals who became my professional compass during my time at Tapaz. My deepest gratitude goes to:
Ma'am Cheryl R. Librando
Ma'am Julibeth C. Garino
With them, I learned to develop effective lesson plans that align with local standards. they're generously shared them knowledge on how to handle students with different learning styles. Small discussions at the teacher's desk before class became invaluable learning opportunities for developing my pedagogical competency as a PGSD student.
Media Development: Bringing Mathematics to Life with "The Division Mango Tree"
The real challenge came when I started teaching independently. My main focus was division. To overcome the rigidity of numbers and students' fear of mathematics, I designed a creative instructional material I called "The Division Mango Tree."
The process of creating this media began with a visually appealing mango tree on a large board. I provided removable "mangoes" and several "baskets" underneath to represent the division containers. Through this media, students not only memorized the formula but also engaged in a real-life simulation: they picked a number of mangoes from the tree and divided them fairly into the baskets provided.
Witnessing the students' enthusiasm as they scrambled to try picking and dividing mangoes in front of the class was priceless. The Mango Tree media proved effective in transforming the abstract concept of division into a fun, concrete activity. The sparkle in their eyes when they finally understood that division is fair repeated subtraction is proof that visual creativity is crucial to successful learning at the elementary school level.
Comrades in Arms: Collaboration with Local Interns
One of the most memorable moments at Tapaz Central Elementary School was the opportunity to meet and work alongside local student interns from the Philippines. As fellow aspiring teachers undergoing field practice, we quickly discovered many similarities despite coming from different cultural backgrounds.
Exchanging greetings in the teachers' lounge or simply sharing stories during breaks became a very relaxed yet meaningful learning experience. We often discussed the differences between the teaching systems in Indonesia and the Philippines, and even shared tips on classroom management. Their presence made me feel like I had comrades; they didn't hesitate to help me understand the local context or simply offer encouragement before I entered the classroom. These encounters proved that the passion for educating the nation's children is a universal language that unites us as fellow educators of the future.
Final Demo Teaching: The Culmination of Your Journey and Self-Proof
The long-awaited day finally arrived. The Final Teaching Demo wasn't just a final exam for me, but a platform to prove everything I'd learned in the Philippines. That morning, the atmosphere at Tapaz Central Elementary School felt a little different; my heart was pounding faster, but there was also a steadfast confidence in my heart.
At the front of the class, the evaluators were already present, and of course, the two figures who had been most instrumental in guiding me, ma'am Cheryl and ma'am Julibeth. Their encouraging gazes were a major source of strength as I began the lesson. I took a deep breath, smiled at the students in Grade 3, and began our math adventure that day.
My main focus was bringing the often-considered difficult topic of division to life. Using the "Division Table of 6" media, which I had carefully prepared, I engaged the students in direct interaction. The classroom atmosphere became lively as the children scrambled to come to the front to pick the "mangoes" and distribute them into small baskets. It was at that moment that I realized the language barrier had truly dissolved; our communication was forged through numbers, laughter, and the sparkle of curiosity in their eyes.
Every instruction I gave was met with incredible enthusiasm. I implemented a student-centered learning method, where I was no longer the center of information, but rather a facilitator, guiding them through the concept of division as fair repeated subtraction. Watching them successfully solve problems using the mango tree as a medium gave me a feeling of emotion that's hard to describe.
When the bell rang and the final demo session concluded with thunderous applause from the students and satisfied smiles from the examiners, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. The feedback and appreciation given by my Mentor, Ma'am Riza Joy D Palomar and Sir Raul as Principal of the school after the session was the most beautiful gift of my journey. This moment solidified my belief that being a teacher is a calling an art that touches the future, wherever we set foot.
here's the lesson plan :
Lesson Plan Aurel new.docx
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