Planning for Success

Frances Zia A. Pidlaoan

Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies

Does every plan worth it? Does every plan turn into a successful event? As teachers, what do we need remember whenever we are planning for an event?

It is true that a teacher is not just a teacher but we can be managers, advisers, counselors, and even an event organizer just to ensure that we can give the best learning experiences to our students. And every event, there should be a plan so that we can visualize what we want to happen and what will be the exact situation of the event. As teachers, planning is a very important thing to us. Without planning, there will be no organization and we cannot see the progress even the success of our event. And also, a plan is use as our guide to what will happen and what are the necessary things to do.

But what if Plan A didn’t work? What if Plan A is not happening according to our expectations and predictions? We should bear in mind that in every challenge, there’s a solution. We should not forget that there are still 25 letters in the alphabet. Yes, holding an event is very difficult and complicated because we are really putting ourselves in a cliff since the success of the event depends on how we will plan and look into. We teachers should always be positive that everything will be successful. And also, it’s important that we have the courage to pursue what we had planned because we consider the learning and experience that our students may get from participating in the event we organized. There will be challenges and barriers that may occur in preparing and holding an activity where there will be times that these challenges may weaken us but we should always look forward that the activity/event will be successful with our courage, positivity and perseverance.

As I experienced holding an activity along with my classmates and teachers, I learned two important things: do not give up and aim for success. First, do not give up. People and situations around you may bring you down but don’t let these to ruin your plans but use them as your motivation to continue the activity. Let’s not be coward to the things that may hinder our success and we should not let those things make us step backward to what we want to achieve; we just need to think that our students will really benefit into it. Let us consider the time, effort and the willingness we gave as an investment in planning an activity and it will be surely our strength in pursuing the activity. And last, aim for success! Teachers are courageous and good achievers. We always look for success especially if we invested a lot for an activity to be successful. Aim high; don’t let something ruin your everything. For us to succeed, we must take this holding an activity a very serious yet a very meaningful one. We just need to remember that organizing an activity help us to experience many things and most especially it will serve as our tool to impart learning to the students in the most effective way.

Urbanization: The spread of the modern-day jungle

By: Bryan Taningco

When we talk about cities what imagery comes in to mind? Isn’t it columns of buildings and rooftops; skyscrapers and highways, a busy district full of professionals and corporates? The “modern jungle” as analyst would describe it. A gradual increase of infrastructure and population living in a city, it is predicted that by 2050 about 64% of the developing world and 86% of the developed world will be urbanized. That is equivalent to approximately 3 billion urbanites by 2050, much of which will occur in Africa and Asia. Notably, the United Nations has also recently projected that nearly all global population growth from 2015 to 2030 will be absorbed by cities, about 1.1 new urbanites over the next 15 years.

So the question boils; is Urbanization a blessing or a curse? A blessing for it embodies a nation’s progress and development and a curse for it converts rural areas which can be otherwise used to support agriculture and wildlife, does the showcase of progress justify this conversion? Indeed metropolises are jewels to behold by every progressive nation but how are we to sustain balance with nature if mankind devours the very space in which nature breeds? Is urbanization really the inevitable future?

Perhaps my question has an answer; “Yes” urbanization is the future. Whether you like it our not, you will be seeing more skyscrapers and columns of buildings, lesser farms and forests; A denser population and smaller living space. What can we do? The least we can do is to adapt an Urban lifestyle. Because let’s face it, there is no escaping this “modern jungle”.

The Sins of Industry

By: Bryan Taningco

“Alas, Marvel in the state of Industry that our world have achieved”

“Doubt now”

Industry provides us with almost all the goods we use in our daily lives; cars, phones, computers, food. You name it; they’ll make it; an almost god-like provider of the needs and wants of mankind. The birth-child of the Industrial revolution, an event which enabled man to materialize their potential for production; a catalyst for the development of our civilization. Indeed, we cannot deny that Industry provided the chunk of convenience that we enjoy today but have you ever wondered and dared to ask, “At what cost?” Surely something as grandeur and convenient has an equivalent hefty prize.

That prize, as many analyst and historians would say is the devastation of Nature. For all we know, behind the mask of a helpful patron is a face of a parasitic capitalist. Industry as much as it helped us, also ruined us. Perhaps the greatest sin of Industry is the plague it has spread upon nature, the one we call “Pollution”. How did this happen? You may ask; the production of goods also produces waste, it may be in forms of toxic and other chemicals. And what happens to their disposal? Have you ever wondered why factories are located near bodies of water? The Industry dumps their waste on Rivers and Seas, an act which threatens not only marine life but also humans. In time, these accumulated wastes in the bodies of water will participate in the water cycle; thus explaining the phenomenon of acid rain. The threat is not limited to water; factory exhaust produces carbon dioxide and other unwanted air pollutants, resulting into smog or in extreme conditions; “complete darkness” by blockading the light of the sun. Also, through are industrial efforts of seeking materials; we have relentlessly destroyed the very shield that shelters us from this plague, the forests. We have nowhere to hide and no one else to blame. 

What actions should we take? Should we abolish industry and return to the medieval way of life? The answer is “No”, as much as we may hate the sins that industry brings; we cannot live without it. An inconvenient truth Indeed, yet we could still aim for something sustainable; maybe I have looked upon it the wrong way. Maybe industry is not the mask of a parasitic capitalist. Perhaps, it is our own mask; a mask that hides our lack of concern and care for nature, a mask that let us abuse our resources in the guise of a false future; a mask that hides us from the shame that we have brought upon ourselves. Let’s face it, we are the one responsible.

'Dare to prove me wrong.'

Das Kapital

By: Bryan Taningco

Are you feeling skeptical at times? Tired of the upbeat consumerism that imprisons you and I? Have you ever questioned the value of resources in this almost disposable world? Since we all are consumers of this merchandise world, allow me to put stress upon the factors that enables production; which includes, of course, resources. As citizens of our country we are entitled to be concerned of our natural resources, its allocation and misallocation; along with the process that these resources undergo to be converted into goods, a process we call production.

Allow me to present, renowned sociologist, economist and Marxist; Karl Marx and his written piece entitled “Das Kapital”. Now, According to Karl Marx production is enabled by three factors; mainly Land, the place you and I stood upon along with the resources above it and the minerals underneath; Labor, the people such as you and I who works to convert this resources into goods; and last but not the least, Capital, the equipment, machineries and establishments that labourers use to convert resources.

Why am I talking about this? , you might say; you see, we are the one who consume our own resources; we are also the one responsible for its used and misallocations. We must always bear in mind that these resources, no matter how abundant they are; can be depleted and that most of them are non-renewable. We might be able to enable production now, but how about the generations that descend after us? Will they be able to produce goods? Will they be able to sustain further development? The Bottom-line is, we should be aware of our own consumption; take only what is needed at a certain time, maximize the use of every resource. It may seem hard to apply in real life but the very effort to save and conserve will go a long way. Even the effort of planting trees will safeguard a fruit in the near future. We should not live our lives as mere pawns of endless consumption; instead we should work to safeguard a sustainable future.

What does it take to become a good teacher?

By: Frances Zia A. Pidlaoan

Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies

How can a teacher be a good one? Does she need to graduate with flying colors? Does she need to come from a good school? Well, being a good or even a great teacher is not measured on how smart you are but on how you love the profession and perform as an authentic teacher. Yes, a teacher needs to be knowledgeable, skillful and wise but there are also characters that a teacher needs to possess so that the rest of the needed characteristics will work accordingly and justly.

A teacher should possess openness. A good teacher is open to change and is willing to learn new things. She doesn’t stuck herself to her comfort zone or to where she stands but instead, she’s ready to apply changes and even discover more for the sake of offering better learning experiences to the students. She strives to be better each day because she knows that there’s no one perfect way to teach the students but there are lot of ways to teach them. A good teacher is not afraid to learn new things to become better and more effective teacher. In being open to change, great teachers don’t just consider their benefits but most especially, they consider the quality of education that they may of offer to their students. 

A teacher should be passionate. A good teacher loves what she’s doing even though hardships come. A teacher who loves teaching not just she’s required to but because she wants to will definitely inspire many. If one is really into this profession, you don’t need any means of motivation but your zeal for teaching will be enough to make you motivated and excited to teach and impart learning to the students each day. For me, if a teacher really has a great passion in teaching, all of the characteristics that she needs to become a good teacher will follow like the patience, being motivated, excellence and professionalism. If you love what you’re doing you will surely perform well and accordingly to what you are required to. It is simply a teacher’s love for teaching that will lead her to become a good one, to become the crowd favorite.

It is very important that good teachers have an amazing and unique characteristic that can be her edge among others that will make her a better teacher not just in providing knowledge to the students but to inspire them.

I’m a Teacher, I’m a Manager

By: Frances Zia A. Pidlaoan

Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies

They say a teacher has more than ten roles inside and outside the classroom and one of the most important roles is being a classroom manager. Managing the class is one of the everyday struggles of a teacher because she needs t make sure that everyone has the sense of readiness most especially if we are handling a large volume of students. As teachers, we should think of techniques on how to catch the attention of the students and maintain their interest for the entire class hour. But how can a teacher manage the class well?

Teachers and students should agree on classroom rules at the beginning of the year. Creating classroom rules on the first day of class will make the teachers avoid a long term misery because as the teacher and the students agree on set of rules, they started to create a systematic classroom setting that will make them responsible for their own actions especially the students’ actions. This also serves as preventative measure that can help the both parties to create positive classroom climate from the start. Teachers must check in with students at the start of class. Communicating with the students in their level won’t lose the professionalism of a teacher but it adds a characteristic that make her loved by her students. When a teacher is talking with her students casually, and humbly, she make the students feel secured and appreciated. Teachers should be consistent about expectations. Fostering consistency in expectations, and discipline methods, throughout the school year will prevent confusion to the students that may lead to misunderstandings and chaos. Next, teachers should maintain student dignity. Whenever the teacher is correcting a student, she must be sensitive on the things that she might say and should consider the emotions of the student. And a teacher should avoid a fearful environment because a more fearful classroom will lead to low expectations of discipline. And also, if a teacher creates a fearful classroom, students wouldn’t be able to learn better and they will have this fear to be engaged in learning experiences that make the classroom management unfriendly.  When conflict arises, a good classroom manager will let both parties to explain their sides and never let someone to be degraded. And also a teacher can promote good classroom management if she never stays on one side but knows how to listen and take the views of all of her students.

    A good classroom environment does not only promote discipline and respect among students but it also recognizes each one’s differences and still appreciate it. When a teacher manages the classroom positively, it doesn’t only help the teacher to build positive relationships with the students but it also helps her to understand well the differences and attitudes of her students. And also, if there is a positive classroom, better learning will occur and the responsibility of the students is present.

I know few years from now, I’ll be an educator and I’m already thinking of ways on how I will have a good classroom setting that promotes better learning, accepts everyone and avoids biases and judgments. One thing I learned is the importance of setting rules in the classroom. But setting of rules is not only done by the teacher but it should be agreed upon between the students and the teachers. As teachers, we should involve our students in setting the rules and it will help them to be responsible for those rules because they are the one who impose it. And also, when students are engage in setting the rules, they will tend to follow it not because of fear but because of awareness and self-responsibility. As teachers, we should know how to manage the class properly, not for our sake but for the benefit of our students and for them to have better learning. In classroom management, there are lots of things to consider like the interests of the students, their background, their differences, etc. because considering those things will help us to think of effective ways to manage the class and to promote discipline in the classroom. Classroom management is one thing that all teachers should consider because a good content, teacher’s mastery and interesting learning activities are nothing if there’s a poor classroom management. Teachers should bear in mind that sensitivity, respect, discipline and the ability to appreciate the students and to know that each one of them is special, should be present for her to have a good classroom setting.

Successful Teacher: Aim in the future!

By: Frances Zia A. Pidlaoan

Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies

After I have read an article entitled, “Four Characteristics of Successful Teachers”, I was inspired to write this mini-reflection which is also related to what I have learned in many of our courses.

It is easy to become a teacher but being a good, effective and successful teacher is difficult and it requires time, effort, experiences and willingness from the teacher herself to develop the characteristics to become a good and successful teacher. A good teacher is not only a content expert but a provider of learning experiences and activities. Good teachers have great passion for teaching and to her students. She never stops believing that her students can do great things and possess optimism in the abilities and potentials of her students.

According to Weimer (2013), there are four characteristics that a successful teacher possesses. First is the presence, where it is defined as a deeper level of awareness that allows thoughts, feelings, and actions to be known, developed, and harmonized within. This characteristic of a teacher described how important for a teacher to know their students not just by name but on their abilities, characteristics and backgrounds. Another important theme under this characteristic is the teachers’ care for her students and to their learning. Teachers can show that they care for their students by showing that she is concern to them, approach them and communicate with them in the students’ level. Another characteristic that a teacher should possess is that she should promote learning among all her students.  To promote better learning, teachers should maintain high standards and expectations to her students not to threaten them but to express that she believes that students can do better and can achieve their goals. Teachers should keep on monitoring their students’ work, their progress on it and to their achievement. Providing feedbacks, suggestions and comments to the students will help them to boost their confidence and be more motivated to study. One good thing to help the students learn better is to bear in their mind that memorizing facts and concepts are not enough but they should develop the ability to understand and go beyond to the information presented to them. Teachers can encourage developing the ability to understand than memorizing by providing them activities and tasks that will trigger them to think critically and creatively. To possess this characteristic, teachers should not limit the students’ learning in content acquisition but let the students to explore and discover their own learning. Teachers should promote the development of students’ higher order thinking skills. The next characteristic is that successful teachers treat themselves as learners as well. A teacher should never stop learning and discovering things for her to improve teaching and gain more experience. Teachers should strive to be better each day and don’t limit themselves to what they already know. And also, teachers should learn to try various teaching methods and strategies to promote better learning to the students. Teachers should take the chances and opportunities to learn new things so that she can provide relevant and significant information, learning and knowledge. The last characteristic of teacher is that teachers should be enthusiastic. Teachers’ enthusiasm starts with a love of the content, but it goes beyond that and includes a genuine love of teaching and a passion for students and their learning. And also, teachers should consider the students’ love for learning.

As a future teacher, I realized I should start to work on these characteristics and continue loving the profession I chose. I know that being a teacher is difficult and it will require me a lot of patience, courage and encouragement from others to stay firm and tough since there are different kinds of students and there are changing environments. Despite the hardships that this profession brings and may bring, one thing is for sure: I’ll be a great teacher who believes on my students’ abilities; shows positivity in accepting new ideas, praises and feedbacks from others; a teacher who loves to make the students learn and to learn and a teacher who knows when to be a teacher and a friend to my colleagues, students and other people. I realized that being a teacher maybe tough but if one knows how to handle the hardships and challenges that it brings, one can be successful not just in the role of teaching the students but to inspire them, motivate them and change their lives. By being a successful teacher, we don’t just make the students learn but we gain the fulfillment we seek in being with this profession.