I packed my things quite late due to some hesitation because I had not been feeling

well due to the summer heat. A week prior to the Mass Training of Teachers (MTOT)
I diligently took my medicine to be assured that I would be A-Okey.
The early morning bus to Iloilo was cramped with teachers attending the
MTOT. Familiar faces boarded the Ceres Liner and together with my two co-teachers
we took the time sleeping to catch the lost hours of a good night sleep.
Proceeding to St. Pauls University, we were greeted by courteous and
beautiful looking young students who directed us to our places of concern. Things
went on smoothly.
At the Opening Program, one line that came from Bro. Armin Luistro
struck me: Sow the seed of education in every child, nurture it and let it grow.
For me who had personal objections and dilemma about the K-12 Program got
caught with my responsibility as a teacher. Silently, I was questioning myself, what
is my business attending the Mass Training when I myself am not convinced with the
Program?
After lunch we proceeded to our respective Session Rooms. At the start,
we were joking that our group belongs to the Senior Citizens because 85% of us
were 40 years up. Following the notion that elder teachers are inattentive and
uncooperative during sessions, the situation turned contrary. This challenged me
more because our Section was so active that I have to do my best to cope up with
the activities. A stroke of luck was with me because my facilitators: Miss Pinky
Divinagracia of St. Pauls U, Mrs. Angie Mamon of Iloilo NHS and Mr. Christian Graa
of Cabatuan NCHS, were excellent and that was a plus factor for me to learn more.
My being chosen as Group Leader challenged me to get the most out of the
sessions, considering that this is my second Mass Training ever attended since
1984.
As the sessions progressed, I was further enlightened with the essence
and beauty of the program. I know there are inadequacies especially in the
teaching and learning guides, but for me, I find it normal in the struggling Philippine
Educational System run by a government that is tainted with corruption and fiscal
mismanagement.
Unknowingly, my doubts turned into enthusiasm knowing that there is
fulfillment of my dream to teach beyond the context of the book, yet, stay within
the curricular framework and process learning by escaping from the structured
classroom setting. During the Walk Through sessions, we had a chance to get
hold of the Teachers and Learners Guides. I drew a wide smile on my face as I
browsed over the pages. Some of the new lessons were not new to me because I
have taken them up years ago. Through experience and the type of students I
teach, I have learned to expand my lessons to suit to the needs of my students who
enter big schools. It was a bit tiring to go the extra mile but when a former student

of mine who took up Doctoral Degree in Education told me that she made use of my
lesson in taxation, I felt gratified. After all, lessons that are taught and made use
are lessons learned and that is the gauge of effective teaching. Moreover, I was
vindicated because years back I was once branded as teaching Economics
differently and was warned to strictly follow the PSSLC. I just let this warning fall on
deaf ears. This was rooted when I started to explain Economic concepts with the
use of Statistical and Mathematical operations, which to me is the best tool to
effectively explain some economic concepts. I do not say that I am a very good
teacher, I am just trying to teach difficult lessons in the most effective way.
A 21st century teacher is not a teacher who lets his/her students
memorize long lines nor lets his/her students copy pages and pages of notes, but
rather lets lessons be translated to real life situations to make him intellectually
capable, productive, responsive, and committed to create a livable and decent life.
We do not have to make absence of ICT or lack of learning materials as excuses not
to meet the qualities of a 21st century teacher. In the absence of modern
technology, we have to adopt to the process of localization to teach effectively.
Teachers are masters of ingenuity, teachers will always have a way of doing things.
In another context, I see the 21st century teacher as a partner in breaking
the chain of ignorance and depravity, thus eradicating poverty towards a free and
humane society.
Overall assessment? The training was efficiently managed: schedules ran
on time; food was healthy and sufficient; session rooms were conducive; dormitories
were convenient; facilitators were competent; materials adequate except for the
Teachers and Learners Guides; session topics were appropriate and essential.
Another salient experience I got was my opportunity to meet new friends
in the profession, share experiences and have an understanding of the problems
met by teachers in the field. I also had the chance to share my powerpoint
presentations for lessons in Economics and receive a bag of mangoes in return.
Six days may not be enough to swallow all, digest and assimilate the
competencies and the learning processes needed to implement K-12 in Grade 10.
At least the teachers will not grope in the dark as to how they are going to
implement the program. Teachers are agents of change but before change is
materialized, we teachers should also have a grasp of what we are supposed to
teach and what outcomes we expect to have.
Admittedly, we will not have the same responses and outcomes as we see
in the videos shown to us during the training. We have differences in culture, social
orientation, curricular facilities, teacher preparation, family background, sources
and resources for learning among others. However, change can be a slow and
tedious process. Change is done to suit to the demands of the time. The change
which we hope to achieve is not for local consumption but rather for global

competence, that is, to translate academic preparation for economic, political,

cultural and social advantage in our community and the world. Teachers nobly
nurture graduates for the Philippines and the world.
Final analysis : GIVE K-12 a GO; It is NOW, not LATER.
Hbandrada/05232015