WEEK 4

THE FIRST TEACHING ENGAGEMENT

On this week, the work become more intense. These are the days I am to meet my learners, hold a demo and an actual online class. I and my mentor agreed on making our Tuesday free from work so that we could arrange the flow of the virtual encounters with my learners which is the most essential part of my teaching internship experience.

On Monday, we finished the retrieval and distribution of the modules from learners and subject teachers. We also did record the activity sheets and gave answer sheets to other teachers handling the class. On Tuesday, I and my mentor had a conversation. We made a timeline that will guide us on the schedule of things to be done which is separated to the usual tasks inside the classroom. The timeline includes meet and greet, demo teaching, instructional materials crafting, virtual encounters, and assessment designing and giving. Before doing the necessary needs, my mentor first taught me about the flow of lessons in the modular mode of learning. He instructed me about the budgeted lessons for the third quarter which combined specific topics from the old curriculum guide into a Most Essential Learning Competency.

He instructed me about the division of MELC's through number of weeks which will be my guide in having my online lectures. From our talk, we agreed to hold two meetings per MELC as each one are intended to be answered by learners for two weeks. By observing the title, I already knew that its cope is too broad so I knew that a single discussion for one is not enough for learners to attain the competency, content standard and objectives.

After setting the specific time and date for the following tasks, my mentor introduced me to his students by adding me to their group chat which was the most accessible way of monitoring each other. We had a small conversation with the learners and I was so happy with their response towards me being their practice teacher. There were even some students who wished to have some face to face encounter with me because they missed the feeling of having a student intern before the pandemic. So they felt excited knowing that this school year, they experienced it again.

The following day, I already prepared my materials and myself for this week's highlight. I started working on my lesson plan. I followed the school's format for doing it and decided to make a detailed one. I brainstormed for the most ideal strategy with engaging activities, interactive discussion and meaningful learning. While I was doing the plan, I was really thinking of how my mentor holds his class because I am really after the response of my learners. This really helped me on coming up with what I believed is a great outcome.

After making the plan, I worked on my instructional material. I was actually optimistic on taking the risk of exploring different instructional materials, but decided not to since I realized that I am not after what gives me comfort, but rather what is convenient, accessible, and relatable to the needs of learners, and so I used a PowerPoint Presentation.

Then the day comes that I have to meet and greet with my learners. It was facilitated by my mentor whom at the same time, will hold an online class. The meet and greet was filled with energy as I responded to the questions of learners, listen to their expectations, and vice versa. We all had fun that time which made me feel like I really am a teacher.

Moments after, my mentor held an online class. I was there to observe. I am amazed by how great my mentor teach. His teaching strategy are very unique and new. His activities and examples are very timely and relatable. By that time, I concluded that I am given the best mentor. I wished that I could perform and teach with the same level as to his.

As to the learners, I was amazed by how interactive they are. They respond to the questions and participate to the discussion even in the virtual set up. Now I am confident that if I could exert the same energy in teaching, I could assure to get the same response from my learners.

Thursday during that week, I did the teaching demonstration. My students for the demo where the practice teachers also assigned to San Joaquin School of Fisheries. With me was my cooperating teachers Prof. Obed Joy Gaitan and Dr. Rommel Gegato. The class run smoothly and ended so well. After the demo, I listened to the evaluation of my mentors. I was overwhelmed by their way of congratulating me for a job well done. Although good, they still provided corrections onto my way of teaching such as being time conscious, the terms to be used in calling the names of learners, and the consistency on the used of Filipino language which is the prescribed medium of instruction for teaching Araling Panlipunan. Over all, it was a great performance if they were to make a final say.

Friday, I held my first actual online class with my Grade 10 Learners. This time, I was too confident that I well be better than my demo since I made sure that I included all the feedbacks of my mentors. I felt no pressure. I was excited. And the moment I started, I wasn't disappointed because I got what I was expecting. My learners enjoyed my class. It was confirmed by my mentors who were there the whole time. They congratulated me once again for making a job well done and that was the reason why I promised that I will keep or make better the same standards I gave my learners and mentors with my first class.

This week, I felt the great load of work I got as a practice teacher, but neither of these tasks made me felt drown, tired or exhausted. I was enjoying every minute I do it for I wasn't given the best compliments, but because I felt that I made my responsibility right and fo me, that's what counts the most.