DepEd Tayo Davao City

Happy National Teachers’ Month!

Ipadama ang pasasalamat, ipakita ang pagpupugay kina Ma’am at Sir ngayong buwan na inilaan para sa kanila.

Samahan ang Kagawaran ng Edukasyon mula Setyembre 5 hanggang Oktubre 5 sa pagdiriwang ng National Teachers’ Month. Sa temang “G**ong Pilipino, Dangal ng Sambayanang Pilipino,” ating bigyang-pugay ang husay at kadakilaan ng mga Pilipinong g**o na patuloy na nagbibigay ng hindi matatawarang dedikasyon para sa pag-abot ng pangarap ng bawat batang Pilipino.

Tunghayan ngayong Martes, Setyembre 6, ang National Teachers’ Month Kick-off Celebration sa pangunguna ng Schools Division ng Davao Del Norte, na mapapanood via livestream sa DepEd Philippines official website, page, at YouTube Channel.

Kitakits!

**o

May the Almighty God cover all teachers with guidance and protection as they dutifully serve another school year.

Happy Kadayawan! This season marks our city's appreciation and promotion of the culture and tradition of Davao's indigenous tribes. Here's an inspiring story of one of the schools in SDO Davao City.

Katigkanayan: the beginning of something
A special program for the IP Learners of Quezon Elementary School
By Jesusa G. Alcaria, MT 1, Jonelyn T. Raspal, T1 and Dyan Feb D. Dayap, T1

Everything always starts with a dream - an aspiration that something will come true. However, a dream will always remain a dream until you move and make it happen. This is exactly true with the seemingly fading culture of the indigenous people among the younger generation.

“It is very heart breaking to see that our cultures and traditions are slowly fading nowadays. Children in this generation are not proud of their tribe. They do not even know how to speak their own dialect and are even ashamed of the term “Bagobo”. They do not realize how significant they are in the community and what opportunities await them in the future,” Indigenous Person Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Docris O. Daug said.
Embracing one’s roots
The Indigenous People (IPs) play an important role in the community. They have different cultures, traditions and beliefs from the rest of the world and they deserve to be recognized and respected. For this reason, a barangay resolution from Daliaon Plantation has been put in place to show support to the IPs of the community through teaching the Bagobo-Tagabawa dialect.

It started with a simple observation about the IPs in the community. Given the fact that the barangay has an IPMR means that a big part of the population encompasses IPs and most of them belong to the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe. Clearly, the tribe is there but the culture, values and beliefs seem to be gradually diminishing. In fact, the teaching should start with the grassroots- the young generation – the learners.
In 2019, Quezon Elementary School in cooperation with the Daliaon Barangay Council, came up with the program “Pagtinuro Ka, Kinagayen Ka Bagobo Tagabawa” (Teaching Bagobo-Tagabawa Dialect). The objective of this program is for the learners to embrace their roots by developing the learners’ literacy towards their own dialect, practicing their traditions, and making their own ethnic costumes.
At the start of their class 100% of the learners from grades 3 to 6 cannot understand and utter any Bagobo word. The program started with 40 learners and in a matter of one month the number of learners steadily increased to 70 continuous classes. The remedial classes were done every Tuesday and Thursday.
The negative impact brought by the Covid-19 virus did not just affect the regular classes but the IP classes as well.
Nonetheless, this did not stop the pursuit of education even to the IP learners. When the regular classes were taught into different modalities, something can also be done for them. That is when Armando N. Blando, School Head of Quezon Elementary School tapped the IP leaders and their elders to come up with a good alternative form of education. Thus, the idea of an IP module was born. From a simple draft of different Bagobo-Tagabawa words, it evolved to a hard copy filled with hope and faith that these learners will slowly embrace their IP roots.

Another plan came into a reality when the third part of the project started even with the restraint of the pandemic. As soon as the government announced the approval of limited face to face classes, Blando invited the group of IPs who were well-trained in beads-designing. IP Learners diligently participated the activity on Fridays up to the second week of May 2022. In truth, this beads-designing project would not be successful without the financial support of the Gulayan sa Paaralan and the Gulayan sa Tahanan project of the school.

With such program, the learners were able to appreciate, practice, and live in the traditional IP way.

“We are hopeful that these programs initiated by the school would be instilled in their hearts and will last forever,” Blando proudly beams.

GULAYAN SA TAHANAN, GULAYAN NG KINABUKASAN

For the past years, Quezon ES has always been known for its vigorous Gulayan sa Paaralan. This time, it has extended to the community to reach out to the families affected by the pandemic – from Gulayan sa Paaralan to Gulayan sa Tahanan.

It started in every purok of Brgy. Daliaon Plantation, the first recipients were mostly the IP of Purok 1. Seedlings of different vegetables and crops were given to each family from the stakeholders such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and City Agriculturist Office (CAO). The Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay (RPsB) of Cluster 3 Toril also took part on this project and donated sprinklers and gardening tools.

“Sa kadaghan namo na projects, this is the first time that we were tapped to help the IP community. It’s a very unique project and nalipay mi na nakatabang mi ug apil,” PLT Jefferson G. Escasinas of the RPsB said.

After almost a month, the families had tasted the fruit of their labor. The income from the gulayan sa tahanan were turned into gardening tools, additional seedlings, and food on their plates.

“Karon akoang kauban akong anak sa pagtanom ani ug nalipay ko kay human ug answer namo sa module, diretso mi sa among area para ,magtanom sa likod mura na sad mi ug nag bonding,” Gaga, one of the beneficiaries, happily said.

Thankful is an understatement to describe the parents of these learners. Smiles were plastered all over their faces.

Since the first wave of the Gulayan sa Tahanan was a success, it’s time to move to another destination. The next target was the IP youth of Purok 10, the farthest and the end of Brgy. Daliaon Plantation. Who would have thought that the school could reach this remote area and be welcomed by youths filled with ambitions?

The youth of this purok were children of Quezon Elementary School’s alumni. Gerylle, who was once an LSB LSA teacher of Quezon ES. They also belong to the small community of an IP area who needs attention.

When asked about the things they lacked and they really want to have, most of them answered materials for the Bagobo-Tagabawa clothing. “Gusto unta mi nga naa sad mi mga IP na masuot para sa among sarili kay dili gyud namo kaya nga mupalit niini. Bagobo mi pero wala mi sanina sa Bagobo,” Gerylle said with a faint smile.

The school does not have all the means to provide for the materials these youths need. However, the school, together with the stakeholders from DA and CAO, provided seedlings that can be planted in their area. Seminars and trainings were also conducted for them to learn about farming and Agriculture. Their first project was planting of tomatoes and the income were used to purchase IP costume supplies – from beads to Oxford fabric.

TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY

Finally, the school and IP leaders’ efforts had paid off witnessing the endevors and the innocent smiles of the youth at the tribal hall in beads-designing activity.

“Kami nalipay nga ang kaniadtong panganduy, nahimong katumanan. Ang pagtagad sa among tribo usa ka kalampusan nga dili namo malimtan,” Gerylle said.

Presently, putting the beads on the IP clothes is on the process. Everyone is expecting its output after a month or two. Definitely, there is no impossible thing to attain in this world for as long as people work together with love, compassion and dedication.

Propesyong mahal, alay ay dangal

Ang pagiging g**o ay isang di matatawarang propesyon. Ang paggabay at paghubog sa mga mag-aaral ang pinakamahalagang tungkulin ng isang g**o.

Ang karanasan ko bilang isang g**o sa panahon ng pandemya ang nag udyok sa akin upang palawakin ng husto ang aking kaalaman sa pagtuturo. Kasama dito ang pag-aralang mabuti ang mga makabagong istratehiya sa pagtuturo upang makapagbigay ng maayos na serbisyo at dekalidad na edukasyon sa aking mga mag-aaral.

Natutunan kong kilalanin ng husto ang aking mga mag-aaral kahit hindi ko sila nakakasama araw-araw sa aking silid-aralan. Inaalam ko ang kanilang mga pangangailangan sa pag-aaral at ang kanilang mga lakas at kahinaan.Hindi alintana sa akin ang maglaan ng higit pang oras sa pagtuturo mapa online man o face to face lalo na sa aking mga mag-aaral na nangangailangan ng aking agarang tulong upang silay matuto ng husto.

Naniniwala ako na ang bawat bata ay may natatanging angking galing at talino. Mayroon silang kakayahang gawin ang mga bagay-bagay na nais mo matutunan nila at tungkulin ko bilang isang g**o ang gabayan sila at ihanda sila sa isang matagumpay na kinabukasan.

Hindi naging madali ang aking paglalakbay bilang g**o ngayong taong panuruan, ngunit higit ang aking pasasalamat sa gabay na ibinigay at lakas na ipagkaloob upang ito ay mapagtagumpayan. Mabuhay ang mga g**ong Pilipino!

Laica B. Abosama, Teacher – 3
Tugbok Central Elementary School SPED Center

Were you able to accomplish the RPMS of a teacher? I believe, I did!
R - estless
P - assionate
M - otivated
S - ensitive

Restless, for we teachers did our best to perform our duties and responsibilities that sometimes, we forgot to rest just to be the best not for ourselves, but for the young ones whose future depends on us.

Passionate, in the sense that we are willing to sacrifice for the betterment of our community. Teaching is not only about the career we embraced but a passion that shows our love and commitment.

We are motivated in everything we do for we are trained to be one. Motivation keeps us going no matter what the situation is. Also, be a motivator in ones life, it may be a big help.

We need to be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others for all of us are struggling especially in this new normal, in this time of pandemic.

This is what RPMS did to my life as a teacher.

Grelie Mae E. Catamco
Master Teacher I
Sta. Ana National High School

Hello mga ka DT! Tapos na ba ang lahat ng ating mga gawaing pampaaralan?

Mainit na pagbati sa inyong husay at sipag sa pagtupad ng inyong tungkulin sa taong panuruan 2021-2022.

Bilang pagpupugay, nais naming kayo naman ang bida! I flex ang inyong RPMS portfolio cover at magsumite ng isang talata (o mahigit pa) na naglalaman ng inyong karanasan o natutunan sa nakaraang taong panuruan. Maaring Filipino o Ingles ito at ipadala lamang ang soft copy ng cover at talata sa [email protected]. Hihintayin namin ang inyong entries mga ka DT!

Ang buong Kagawaran ng Edukasyon ay masayang sumasalubong sa pagdating ng ating bagong Secretary for Education, Vice President Sara Z. Duterte!

Kami ay nasasabik sa mga hakbangin at ideya na dala ng iyong administrasyon na makabubuti pa lalo sa estado ng edukasyon sa bansa.

Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang kapakanan ng Pilipinong mag-aaral at g**o!

Sa Lunes, Hulyo 4, makiisa sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon (DepEd) para sa Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay: Palatuntunan ng Pagsasalin ng Katungkulan na mapapanood live sa page ng DepEd Philippines.

Handog ng Kagawaran ang isang programa ng pagkilala at pasasalamat kay Kalihim Leonor Magtolis Briones. Susundan ito ng pagpupugay sa pagdating ng Bise Presidente ng Republika ng Pilipinas at bagong Kalihim ng Edukasyon Sara Z. Duterte.

The Division of Davao City recognizes Tugbok Central Elementary School SPED Center through its school principal, Riza P. Lobitos, as the first ever Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) implementing school in the elementary level within the division. It also acknowledges the major contribution of the SPJ self-learning module (SLM) writers, illustrators, reviewers and evaluators for producing competency-aligned learning materials for the program. The activity held at Tugbok Central Elementary School SPED Center on July 1, 2022 was attended by ASDS Jinky Firman, CID Chief Alma Cifra and EPS Focal for Campus Journalism Rene Sultan.

Looking back at one of the most unforgettable National Schools Press Conferences (NSPC) during the awarding ceremony of the NSPC 2020 winners from the Division of Davao City held at Tugbok Central Elementary School SPED Center on July 1, 2022.

THE WINNING MOMENTS:

Well done Division of Davao City for winning as FIRST RUNNER-UP during the 2022 Blended Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC) held on May 23-27, 2022.

SDO Davao lauds 2022 PISA learner-takers, teacher-adopters
By Anecito P. Neri Jr.

To recognize the efforts of the learners and teachers of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) participating schools, the Schools Division of Davao City led by SDS Reynaldo M. Guillena, CESO V held an awarding ceremony on the recently concluded intervention program activities for 2022 PISA learner-takers and teacher-adopters for Mathematics, Science and Reading Frameworks.

The implementation of the Intervention Program: Pagkakaisa para sa PISA took place from April 11, 2022 to April 25, 2022 at the three participating schools with selected secondary school teachers who conducted tutorial sessions during the weekdays of the intervention period.

“I am very flattered that Davao City Division's educational system has managed the PISA and its intervention program so well. We are proud of all the teachers, learners, parents, stakeholders, school heads, and supervisors who took part in this endeavor,” Division Reading Focal Person Narmela P. Espedido said.

Awards with cash incentives were given to the resource speakers during the virtual orientation, core teacher-mentors for all frameworks, teacher-adopters of the three participating schools, and the learners who got the highest scores and increment in the Division Mock Tests.

“The Division with the leadership of our SDS conducts this awarding ceremony to give due recognition to the men and women who made history happen for PISA in Davao City Division this school year. In other words, ladies and gentlemen, this ceremony is the brainchild of our very own SDS, Sir Guillena.” English Program Supervisor Dr. May Ann M. Jumuad expressed.

Dr. Jumuad added that this event has provided the Division of Davao City an opportunity to reflect on the preceding years and share the achievements, success, and plans of the division for the years to come.

“We came up with the intervention program to surpass our achievement from the last PISA that we had participated. We are giving this intrinsic motivation today to all of you who gave your best for us to succeed and be able to top as much as possible. The Division is giving its best for you to be happy,” SDS Guillena shared in his message to the participants.

The learners, teachers, and school heads of the three schools, Mintal Comprehensive High School, Tacunan National High School, and Tugbok National High school expressed their gratitude to the Division Team particularly to SDS Guillena for their technical and financial assistance.

“We are very thankful to our teachers and division leaders for making us more than ready during the PISA day. On behalf of all PISA-takers, we would like to thank all of you for believing in us and hopefully, we made you proud,” said Lyndsay F. Gonzales, Mathematics Literacy top scorer from MCHS.

The Division Team will evaluate the intervention programs for continuity of data, monitoring of improvements, and identifying gaps and areas of growth for a more effective curriculum instruction delivery.

Photos taken by Jeamar L. Parantar

Pinasiglang Balik -Eskwela ng ULA NHS
Akda ni: Lavinia M. Fortuna ( G**o)
Kuha ni: Elmer Onor ( mag aaral)

Bilang bahagi ng mas pinasiglang edukasyon, ang Ula National High School ay nagbukas ng panibagong panimula sa mga mag-aaral sa ika-sampung baitang. Sinimulan ito ng isang panalangin na pinangunahan ni Rev. Fr. Eddie Fuentes, AJC upang magabayan ang pagsisimula ng pagbubukas ng programa.

Dinaluhan ng mga pangunahing panauhin mula sa Dibisyon ng Davao na si G. Antonio A. Apat, kumakatawan sa Ikatlong Distrito ng Davao, Office of the Congressman na nilahukan nina Hon. Alberto Ungab at Jonas Noble. Kabilang din dito ang mga Stakeholders mula sa Barangay sa pamumuno ni Hon. Esteban J. Togonon at ang kanyang mga Kagawad.

Nakilahok din ang mga Pribadong Institusyon tulad ng Agro Industrial Foundation Colleges of the Philippines, Holy Child College of Davao, 107.5 Win Radio, at ang Happy Petals Event and Styling.

May mga iba't ibang programa ang ipinapatupad ng paaralan kasabay ng pagbubukas nito. Una, ang "Hatid Sundo Aral Program" na ang hangarin ay makapagbigay ng libreng sakay para sa mga mag-aaral na tulong mula sa Barangay at Paaralan.
Pangalawang programa ang libreng school supplies sa lahat ng mga mag-aaral na ibinahagi ng Agro Industrial Foundation at ang panghuling programa ay ang libreng meryenda sa lahat ng mag-aaral mula sa Punong G**o ng paaralan na si, Dr. Jeson J. Reyes.
Tunay ngang pinasaya ang pagbabalik eskwela ng mga mag-aaral sa paggawad ng mga sertipiko sa Project W.A.T.C.H sa mga mag-aaral at mga g**o. Lahat ng mga nagwagi ay nakatanggap ng gift packs mula sa 107.5 Win Radio at sa paaralan. Mas lalong pinasaya sa parlor games bago magsimula sa unang oras ng klase. Lahat ng mga nagwagi ay nakatanggap ng gift packs mula sa paaralan.

“Sabik kaming makita ang mga mag aaral sapagkat isa kami sa mga naging unang grupo ng mga g**o na nandito sa paaralan. Mangiyak-ngiyak ang mga mag aaral sa kanilang mga napagdaanan sa pandemya. Bilang isang g**o, iba talaga kapag may interaksiyon mula sa mga mag aaral,” sambit ni ng mga g**ong sina Ana at Aimee.

Lubos na nagpapasalamat si Dr. Reyes sa matagumpay na muling pagbubukas ng klases para sa face-to-face learning lalong lalo na sa mga supporta na naipakita ng mga stakeholders.Tiniyak ng paaralan na makagpaaral ang mga estudyante na hindi mailagay sa alanganin ang seguridad sa pangkalusugan.

“Maganda po ang face to face kay if mag lisod mi sa lesson nan diyan po ang teachers para maka guide and isa pa po wala kasi kayo ga help para makatulong sa amin pag nasa amoa balay lang so karon unang araw, excited ko na maka learn pa and always mi ga ampo na unta tuloy tuloy na po. Salamat po sa pagkakataon na kami ay maka experience ng face-to-face bago kami magka Moving Up at lilipat maybe sa ibang schools,” ayon kay Jochie Ericah Reyes na isang mag-aaral.

Ayon kay Dr. Reyes, "Makasaysayan ang araw na ito sapagkat napatagumapayan ng mga kabataan ang hamon ng pandemya. Dapat isa-puso at isa-diwa ang mga aral mula sa mga magulang at mga g**o."

The recently concluded 3-day Division Virtual Seminar-Workshop on Newsletter Production has opened doors to schools in SDO Davao City to create additional platforms of communication to the stakeholders and its community. Comment your take-aways from this activity if you were able to attend.

A stronger school community through Newsletter Production
Rhea P. Nalam & Marianne C. Seras

As COVID-19 caused huge disruptive effects on normal life and brought face-to-face class interactions on hold, it has prompted schools to employ digital technology to bridge the gap in communication between schools and the community.

“The onset of the pandemic has not only allowed us to embrace the new normal platforms and the distant delivery of basic education but has also taught us to overlay the conventional strategy in the production of newsletter within a broader aspects and knowledge in various digital formats and software. The production of newsletter may be used to transmit relevant information, channel a significant campaign or invite more stakeholders for support. It also aims to foster a connection between the school and community,” expressed Dr. May Ann M. Jumuad, Education Program Supervisor in English, as the primary reasons on the conduct of Division Virtual Seminar-Workshop on Newsletter Production during the Opening Program on November 23, 2021.

The three-day seminar-workshop is another initiative by the Division English team which aimed to empower teachers with the technical and creative aspects of newsletter production as the latter becomes the voice of the educational community ensuring that relevant information is equitably accessible to parents, teachers, learners, and stakeholders.

“A newsletter can be an effective medium to communicate advocacies and programs to our stakeholders thus there is a need to organize an Editorial Board who will facilitate the production of newsletter accessible everywhere and round the clock,” quipped Janice C. Abrea, President of Davao City Association of Public and Private School Paper Advisers (DAPPSPA) during her talk on Organizing and Identifying Roles of the Editorial Board on Day 1 of the workshop.

This output-based virtual seminar-workshop was packed with sessions essential in the production of newsletter; from writing news and feature stories, and moving forward to the technical aspects on layout and design principles, branding and designing the newsletter head and the use of recommended software tools for lay-outing and online publishing.

“This training has refreshed us and reminded us once again on the importance of responsibly and pro-actively informing the public especially our stakeholders of the programs and projects that our schools have planned and implemented to adapt and to make use of technology not only to us, teachers but also to our learners’ advantage, “ one of the participants from Davao Central District, Apple Kris L. Senillo, shared.

This was a rare window of opportunity for the participants to learn from seasoned School Paper Advisers; Janice C. Abrea, Ireen R. Canete, Romel D. Babiera, Riza P. Lobitos, Erlyn C. Tirariray and Leonardo Achilles C. Cabural, who have proven their credibility through their numerous awards in the National Schools Press Conference that contributed to the high standing of Davao Region in the National Schools Press Conference every year.

“The speakers truly manifested expertise in the field of newsletter production as they discussed their topics clearly and comprehensively. We did not only know how to write news and feature stories but we also learned how to layout, making it possible for us to start producing at our own level. We hope that there will be more of this kind of training soon, “said Jennylyn B. Cabrejas, a School Paper Adviser and a participant from Sta. Ana District.

The challenge posed by the pandemic has not stopped the Division of Davao City – English Department to realize the three-day seminar-workshop on November 23-25, 2021 with EPS Jumuad and the English Department Head Ms. Jojane N. Gelbolingo and English teachers from F. Bangoy National High School taking the lead with the livestreaming of the training through facebook.

Moreover, the training has demonstrated that the evolution of digital technologies has shifted the conventional production of newsletter to digital formats to pave way to a healthier school-parent-teacher connection by providing them updates and information on how the school is moving towards achieving its goals and how stakeholders could be in support to the school’s programs and activities.

This training paved way to the rebirth and creation of opportunities to the education sector to shift to a new paradigm of communication that is more resilient, creative, centralized and digital in form, making relevant information more accessible and will serve as a bridge between the school and its stakeholders.

We shall be praying for the time when we can get together safely as a family again. Happy Teacher's Day to all the men and women who complete the strong teaching force of the Schools Division of Davao City!

Teaching students with special educational needs is simply exceptional but teaching both learners with special educational needs and those with different exceptionalities in one classroom is undeniably remarkable.

From Cocoon to butterfly
By Dion Irving V. Timbang, Davao City Special National High School

Serving the school for almost four decades, she is already considered an institution in the department and the Division of Davao City since she started her journey as a teacher at Davao City Special School (high school department) now called the Davao City Special National High School, the only public special high school in region XI.

Teacher Daisy C. Sanchez or Maam Daisy as she is fondly called by her colleagues and students, is one of the most respected teachers in the school. At 55 years of age, she is in active service for 35 years already as a special education teacher (SPET-III) and a SPED coordinator who screens all the learners with special educational needs (LSEN) in the school.

Handling regular students and LSEN is normal in a SPED school but handling LSEN and students with different exceptionalities in one classroom is a different story especially in this new normal situation.

“I don’t find it hard, but I find it very challenging. Teaching Learners with Special Educational Needs in this new normal has never been an easy task. It has been very challenging yet very rewarding. I put my heart in it in dealing with them with so much passion, dedication, and commitment. I feel their hunger for knowledge. I feel their hearts. I feel the real essence of what is a SPED teacher. Being with them is such a blessing from Above,” she said.

Despite receiving many awards from national down to division and cluster level competitions, she remains humble and a role model to her students whom she guided and are already professionals as they have achieved their goals in life.

“I have been given recognitions and awards as a teacher for more than 3 decades now but the best recognition I have ever received is not coming from a piece of paper Re: Certificates…but notes and messages coming from my students 34 years ago or just last school year thanking me for being a part of their journey,” she added.

She is also a mother figure to the young teachers in the school as she gives advices, mentoring and caring for them while they are in institution.

“To the neophyte teachers in DCSNHS, the best words of wisdom that I can probably share with them is to always be true to themselves with all their heart and soul to serve every Speder with dedication and cherish every soul of the Speder as a blessing and as a gift from God,” she said.

Every teacher’s journey in finding their purpose in every student’s life they encounter, there is always something to learn and uncover.

“My best fulfillment in life as a teacher is seeing every Speder especially the Learners with Special Educational Needs achieve their goal and ambition in life and become very productive even in their own little way and become productive citizens of our country. I will share a bible verse in the totality of my journey as a teacher of my students and as a woman of God, it’s Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: And when he is old, he will not depart from it,” she further emphasized.

Her students may have once been cocoons nurtured by her within the four corners of the classroom, and now they have finally bloomed as beautiful and majestic butterflies full of skills and talents to conquer the world.

One would never know where life will lead to, consequently one must be ready to take on the challenge as it comes. One of the many teachers in the Schools Division of Davao City did, and here is her story.

The plot twist: From classroom teacher to TV broadcaster
By Janice C. Abrea

The ongoing pandemic has definitely crushed so many hopes and dreams and has led to worst-case scenarios for many people. However, it has also brought out the best conditions and has paved way to new beginnings for a few others.

The normal 4-year teaching career for instance of Teacher Mylene I. Navarro at Bago-oshiro Elementary School in Tugbok District, was going usually steady as she followed her typical routine at work. Little did she know that the COVID-19 virus outbreak will change the path of her career in the most unexpected turn of events.

When learning delivery had to shift completely from face-to-face to distance learning, her strong background and skills in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) worked to her full advantage.

She was the first and only teacher in Mindanao who qualified as one the DepEd TV Broadcasters in batch one as carefully selected by the DepEd Edtech Unit in the central office.

“When the EdTech unit announced that they are looking for teacher broadcasters, I just tried, luckily, I was chosen as one of the 1st batch of teacher broadcasters,” she fondly recalled.

She added that she is confident in teaching any subject except for Mathematics, and that she isn’t afraid of shifting her teaching strategies when she finds it ineffective in class. She has used this strength as a classroom teacher to bravely face the camera and teach not only the learners in her station but the children all over the Philippines as well.

“I encountered a lot of challenges as a DepEd TV broadcaster, but I love them, and I am motivated more when I overcome them. I have learned about writing scripts, converting lessons to TV scripts, conceptualization and visualizing how these lessons will appear on TV. It was a 360-degree adjustment on my part, but I have grown professionally, and I am very thankful to be given such a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said.

Even when the task entailed more of her time and effort, she did not feel that it became burdensome because according to her, she absolutely loved what she was doing.

“I believe that education must be enjoyable. I am more on learning by doing. I am more focused on the learners and associate lessons in the real-life scenario so they can relate and learn from it,” she added.

A sense of overwhelming fulfillment engulfs her whenever they finish shooting an episode and when their videos are already edited and ready for post-production. She certainly considers it a great achievement when her episodes are already aired on TV.

Aside from being a DepEd TV broadcaster for EPP grade four, she is also a very active eTulay tutor for TLE 6 and mentioned that she was inspired by their district EPP coordinator in handling such subjects.

“I was supported by my school principal Sir Rey, our District Supervisor Maam Alma, and my colleagues in Tugbok District. I felt that sense of belongingness in this station and it brought out the best in me. I am deeply grateful to them all for all the push and all the support,” she fondly said.

Though she is a neophyte in the profession, she hopes to become a successful teacher in the future and to be able to inspire more learners. She emphasized that enjoying and valuing the work that one is blessed with will surely be rewarded tenfold.

To be able to help deliver DepEd’s learning continuity plan and to reach more learners in the country, her rewarding journey continues from being a classroom teacher to a DepEd TV broadcaster: it was the unexpected plot twist of her teaching career.