During the week of February 6-9, 2023, my fellow student teachers and I planned to paint the stage of the school as our extension activity. However, after coordinating with the principal and teachers, they suggested that we paint the concrete walls of the road at the entrance of the school instead. But before we could paint, we had to clean the walls from the weeds and algae that covered it. It was a challenging and tiring task, but it also turned out to be a great bonding experience for me and my fellow interns. We worked hard under the scorching sun, scraping away at the rough concrete. Even though I ended up with a few scratches on my fingers, I felt a sense of accomplishment when we finally finished after three days of hard work.

After cleaning the walls, we still needed to wash them. One of the teachers suggested we coordinate with the Bureau of Fire Protection to lend us a hand. To our delight, they responded positively and used their high-pressure water hose to clean the walls. It was a reminder to me that with the right attitude and a supportive team, even the most difficult tasks can be rewarding. Unfortunately, we weren't able to continue with the paint job due to a lack of funds for unforeseen upcoming activities. However, our hard work was appreciated by the principal, and the wall of the road going to the school looked clean and beautiful even without the paint. In addition to our extension activity, we also volunteered in making decorations and structuring the classroom. I volunteered to the Grade 9C adviser to be a co-adviser together with one of my fellow interns. Aside from decorating the classroom, we also have to supervise the class during cleaning and make the School Form 2.

In the same week, I simultaneously started preparing for my upcoming lessons since the following week would be our official start of teaching. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness because the first few days are always crucial to making a good impression and I wanted to do my best.

On February 14, 2023, I received an unexpected gift from one of my students: a crocheted octopus as a keychain. It was a small gesture, but it filled me with joy and appreciation to know that my efforts were being recognized and appreciated. It inspired me to work harder in giving my best to my students.

The day of our college supervisor's class observation on February 20, 2023, was filled with stress and worry due to a brownout and scheduling problems. In addition, there was the added responsibility of preparing food for the college supervisors while still being mentally unprepared for my class. It was a challenge, but it taught me the importance of multitasking and staying calm under pressure. Fortunately, I think I was able to deliver my lesson well, and I appreciated the valuable comments and suggestions provided by my college supervisor. It challenged me to improve myself and keep on developing my craft.

One of the most unforgettable events that happened this month is when I encountered a student crying during my class. There was this time when I spotted one student in my class crying, and I wasn't quite sure what to do. At first, I was a bit taken aback, but I quickly realized that something must be wrong. I asked her what was going on, but her friends told me that it was nothing and that she would be okay. Even though I didn't know what was causing her to cry, I knew that I couldn't just ignore the situation and continue teaching as if nothing was wrong. So, I paused the lesson for a moment and checked in with the student to make sure she was okay. I assured her that if she needed to talk about anything, I was there to listen and support her. After a moment, the student calmed down and was able to rejoin the class and even volunteered to solve a problem on the board. Although it was a difficult moment, I realized that sometimes as a teacher, we have to be there for our students not only academically, but emotionally as well. It was a reminder to always be aware of what's going on in our students' lives and to be ready to provide the support they need, even if we don't know exactly what's going on.

As I continue on this journey of becoming a teacher, I am learning that it is not always easy, but it is always worth it. The small victories and challenges along the way help me grow and develop into a better educator. The experiences have given me a newfound appreciation for the complexity and richness of the teaching profession. As I continue on this journey, I am excited to see what other surprises and lessons lay ahead, and I look forward to grow and develop into the best educator I can be.