Chit Chat

School year 2010-2011 has ended. Vacation officially starts.  Pero since I took summer classes for my M.A. I still need to go to school.  I'll be transfered to College Department next school year but no loads for teaching yet.  My husband and I prayed na since I need to study, it would be best kung ma transfer ako sa College or mag office ulit while studying so I can concentrate.  And, God answered our prayers!

I was happy to be with my high school department colleagues.  Our last day was a blast.  We enjoyed some foods and I get to talk intimately to some of them. 

We agreed to meet again two weeks from now, saan kaya kami pupunta? I can't wait.  I really enjoyed talking to one my colleagues.  We talked about our experiences while teaching.  The pressures, problems, and the fun part of teaching.  Our conversation can be summed up to one thing - that prayer is very effective!

That if we will only soak things in prayers everything will be okay.  In saying that it will be okay, it doesn't mean that there will be no problems but since all has been asked in prayers everything will be easily acceptable.  If it is something that is beneficial to us then we would have no reason to boast since it is God who has given it, not by our own doing.  If it is opposite of what we asked, then we can still be grateful knowing God has something else in mind - something better that we can imagine!

No Regrets

It has been almost six months since I arrived here in Aklan. I have decided to go back from Singapore because God changed my heart.  When I left for Singapore my main reason was to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord. And, God has been very faithful to His promises.  "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give the desires of your heart." With the help of my brothers and sisters in Christ, God changed my heart and opened my eyes.

My church has been consistent in teaching us to excel in everything we do. That is especially true there in abroad.  We were taught to excel as a nation, as a Filipino. "Angat Lahi"- this is what we always have in mind.  We have to do our best in everything for the glory of the Lord and for our country.

I was working as a Senior Consultant in an employment agency and I was handling recruitment for househelpers in Singapore.  There is nothing wrong being a househelper, slavery is only a state of mind.  But, in my heart, I know God wants me to do something else.  I just couldn't bear "helping" my fellow Filipino to be a "maid" in a foreign land.  That is just my personal dealing with the Lord. I wanted to find another job but another sister in Christ, sister

 Sunny , was used by God to explain to me the importance of being with my family.

By God's grace I am with my family now.  God has been so gracious and faithful to us.  He also opened a new career for me to fulfil.  I may not be earning that big, but the time spent with my children and my husband is more than anything else.  As I have said before, money really cannot buy anything.  I am so blessed though we may be poor.  God is my strength and my portion forever!

 

Overwhelm

It has been my dream to be a teacher. I always thought I would like to grow old teaching. But the thing is, I am not a teacher. I am not confident to be a teacher. Well, the passion is there. But being passionate about teaching is not enough. Being a teacher means a lot more.
When God gave me a chance to be a substitute teacher, I heard the calling. And, I knew I had to continue teaching. But it wont stop there. I know I have to equip myself and prepare myself to be a teacher. I need to go back to school to learn more. Currently, I am taking my Masters Degree in Educational Management here in Northwestern Visayan Colleges. However, I would need to take some units for Education so I can take the board exam for teachers. It will take more than a year or two before I can finish the units, but I pray that God will continue to sustain and provide for everything that I will need to achieve my goal.
Being a substitute teacher has taught me a lot. I have learned to love the students as my own. I have been with them for only 3 months but I have connected with them already. I am handling third year and fourth year students. My advisory class will be graduating this March. I wish them all the success in life. I would like them to be fighters. I would love to see them make it big in life. I hope that I have imparted some lessons that they would not forget. I hope that in relatively short period of time, I have made an impact to their lives.

Aklan Comprehensive Teachers Training

I am very glad to have attended the 3-day seminar conducted by the United States Peace Corps Volunteers.

I am relatively new to teaching and I have so much to learn. This seminar has helped me learn some things that are essential to teach effectively.

They have about twenty sessions but due to time restraint a participant can only attend ten sessions.

I have chosen these topics:

1. Learner Centered - were taught about Multiple Intelligence and the importance of knowing every kind of intelligence to better adjust the teaching strategies based on the kind of intelligence the students have.

2. Teaching Pronunciation - pronunciation of different words where tackled and it's also good because some of the teachers where able to ask the Volunteers the pronunciation of some common words in English that are pronounced incorrectly most of the time.

3. Class Room Management - rewards and punishment. Proper Reinforcement was also discussed.

4. Productive Discussion - things to know on how to be an effective facilitator. We were also taught how to control a discussion.

5. Writing English Communication - we were taught more on proofreading and clarity of letters or communications that we do.

6. Alternative Assessment - they taught about the importance of using Alternative Assessment as opposed to the conventional or traditional way of assessments being used.

7. Filipinism - words, clauses or phrases in English that only Filipinos can understand.

8. Critical Thinking I & II - about Bloom's Taxonomy.

9. HIV/AIDS - things we have to know about HIV/AIDS.

Other sessions that I wasn't able to attend includes Creative Writing, Excel, Differential, Remedial Reading, Solid Waste Management and some more.

The event was participated by more than 400 teachers Primary and Secondary Levels both Public and Private Schools.

The seminar was effective in itself. But, the real challenge is for the teachers who attended the seminar to practice what we have learned.

Christmas 2010

I can still remember how I "celebrated" the Christmas of 2009. I was alone in a foreign land. I was just so thankful for the internet because it made me feel like I was just home, somehow.

Now, I won't have to worry about that anymore. I will be celebrating this important season with my family.

I am just so excited celebrating Christmas with my children again. Merry Christmas everyone!

Back Again

There are really things that money cannot buy. I resigned from my work in Singapore because my husband and I decided that I have to be with my kids. They are growing up so fast and I do not want to miss it. I want to be a part of that. And, so I am back and enjoying my life with the person who truly matters to me - my family! Thank God for a change of heart. ;)

Pre occupied

I was very happy when my boss told me that for the whole July and August our office will be closed every Sunday.

God's timing is always the best. I needed every Sunday off. We will have our Sports Fest this coming August 9, 2010. We need to prepare for the "presentation" and we can only practice it every Sunday after service till midnight! Yes, we have been practicing 'till midnight! It was fun since we get to be together and get to know each other more.

My body is aching now, we had to dance. It has been a while since I last danced. I am just glad that God is giving me a chance to dance again now. One more week to go!!! :)