Realization through Experiences

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. That’s a good quote to mark on the experiences I have gone through during the activity. Working through project Based Learning Unit Portfolio made me thought of my future role as a teacher in many ways. It made me realize and reflect the real essence of being a second mother to little children. The all throughout process of making Unit Portfolio was extremely difficult and depressing. You go through a lot of careful steps to make the project effective and efficient. You make sure it will generate interesting and relevant discussion on the educational setting and improve the quality of education that the young children deserve. You should make the good choice. No. That’s not enough, make the smart choice.

            Several matters I have pondered on this activity in line with the teaching profession. Firstly, it made me appreciate more the value of time. Everything we laid on the Unit Portfolio were all time conscious; a particular activity with a certain deadline. As a future teacher, we should be prompt on a lot of things and manage our working activities. Secondly, I was more particular on the right choices I made. I learned to eradicate irrelevant things and prioritize essential matters. I guess this is really applicable in real life situation it is such that it is not really taken care of by the people. Thirdly, it tested my patience and really made me hold it for a long time even it was really about to burst. Apparently, it made me realized how to wait on things but just be sure that what you had waited was all worth waiting for. Fourthly, it tested my social capabilities because there were three of us in the group and we must collaborate with one another to produce a potent Unit Portfolio. And lastly, it thought me to be selfless; not thinking what I had spent: time, money and effort just to have a successful Unit Portfolio to provide quality education for children and to be able to get through our comfort zones and try another alternative strategy in teaching.

          But as we end the creation of Unit Portfolio and passed through the difficulties, it feels like in cloud nine and really fulfilled. I complained a lot yet for sure I was able to realize more things than I had complained. The experiences were not smooth but indeed it was delightful and it had given me opportunity to go beyond myself.

Teacher's Perspective

I didn’t find any difficulty on whom to interview. I knew a woman who had been very dedicated to her profession for almost half of her life; 30 years in teaching profession is really a touchstone. She inspired me to be on track as a teacher. She enlightens me on deciding things. She advises on choices I make and most especially she’d loved me with all her heart. Zenaida B. Jaafar. Her name; my mother; my mads; my bestfriend; my inspiration; my life and my everything. Proud and honored daughter is what I am for her. Every day I see how she balances things like school and home. I know it has been very hard for her but still she was able to give ample time with the family making her our one and only wonder woman. Even though it has been difficult for her to go to work yet she enjoys and bears a smile on her face. Just imagine travelling for almost two hours from the city up to the high mountains, risking her life on riding “habal-habal” just to reach the school, thought the children’s situation first before hers, all these things just to provide education on the hinterlands. Indeed, teaching profession is selfless. The moment I ask the question about social media, she immediately worn a warm smile on her face. She said that technology specially the social media does really provide a lot of benefits in both learners and educators. It would lessen the burden for the teachers to prepare and present their lessons and easier for them to make the lessons interesting and at the same time the class to be attentive. She added that she would no longer make visual aids instead she’ll just make PowerPoint Presentations that are very reusable and practically speaking can save money from buying cartolinas, manila papers, scotch tapes and pentel pens. Briefly, it would be less effort, less expenses and effective teaching. As to the learners it will greatly help them grasp the lessons immediately and enhance more the four macro-skills. It improves active participation on the learners. She was also glad that the government provided them the facilities needed for an ICT based classroom considering that they are on the hinterlands. As for now, my mother utilizes social media sites for her lessons and activities, though it was difficult to learn at first but for the dedication and passion for teaching she made everything possible.