Times have changed. Radically so because of the pandemic. I'm still teaching online now just like so many teachers around the world. And today, I'd like to take you back to a time when I used to do seminars for future educators. This time, I went to Cebu Technological University - San Francisco Campus.
In the photo, I am flanked by the chairpersons of the College of Education and one of the English language and literature professors, Dr. Collin Garrido. He was my college classmate and former co-teacher, and he was the one who invited me to their campus.
This event was one of the pre-teaching professional development seminars that graduating students were required to have. It was a Friday in January 2015. I took an early boat ride to San Francisco, Camotes, from Danao City, Cebu.
The seminar was about integrative teaching and the use of popular media in the teaching-learning process. This is something that I'm quite familiar with because I used to handle educational technology and curriculum development courses in another university. (I used to teach general and professional education as well as major English language and literature courses at the college level.) And of course, I also gleaned from my own teaching experience in other levels such as ESL and summer workshops.
This class was composed of different specializations such as elementary education and English language teaching. I bet it was the elementary education majors' idea to have this ice breaker activity. It was fun and engaging. It certainly revved up our energy.
I look quite serious here, hehe. I bet this was during the open forum because I have my microphone down. I kept my presentation short because I wanted to hear from the students themselves.
And here they are trying to focus on the presentation. I am really hoping they learned something valuable. And I wonder how many of them have really pursued teaching and are still teachers today.
It's inspiring to be in a roomful of future educators. The energy is always palpable. That throb of hope and idealism and passion to serve and care for the future of the world. It's not the easiest of jobs, but it's the noblest of professions. And whether you teach for just a year, a decade, or maybe three decades and a half, you know you have not only influenced young minds but your life has been altered for good as well.
Class pictures remind me of that line from Legally Blonde the musical:
This is why we all study and slog
To help the underdog, I so identify
Quite fitting knowing how teachers are often underappreciated but overworked. So when things get tough, teachers, look at your class picture---or solo grad photo if you want---and remember why you started in the first place.
After that morning's seminar, we had lunch in the faculty room. I remember we had a roasted Bisayang manok (local chicken). It was sooo good. That was definitely the star of the table.
Then Collin took me on a tour around the campus. In the photo above, I was at the fisheries. What fun it must be to teach this subject. And you'd always have a reason to take a dip in the cool water. And the view. So picturesque. How's that for a classroom, right?
Talking of rooms, they do have a small classroom in the middle of the sea. It's up on stilts buried in the sand. But I can only take a photo at the door because it was locked at the time. Still, I can't help myself grinning from ear to ear. I just love the place.
My friend actually invited me to apply here, but I had other plans. Also, I relocated to Indonesia by the following year. But who knows, right? I have relatives in town, and one of my late grandfathers was a professor at this university.
At the moment, I just enjoy reminiscing the time when I handled co-curricular activities like this. Can't wait for the time when we can do this again . . . face-to-face. For now, take care. 🌸
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Images: All photos are owned by the author unless otherwise indicated.