Teachers’ Weapon Prior the Pandemic

Rebecca Jean L. Villanueva, Teacher III

Year 2020 made a boundless impact in the global history. A lot have changed and reformed. Even the most talented and skilled person of this world unforeseen this scenario could ever happen to every mankind of this generation. Focusing in the educational setting worldwide, a great shift occurred from traditional structure of teaching and learning to what we now call as “the new normal” pedagogical practices and activities. Gadgets, strong internet connection, different online applications, platforms and modalities, interfaces, ICT skills, digitization, virtual meetings, etc.—are now essential to the teaching and learning process. Facebook pages, FB messenger, Google classroom, Gmeet, and Quipper—they all become our virtual classrooms where we regularly meet our pupils and their parents as our mode of communication. Some people were not ready for this. Some were never prepared. Yet, here we are—now adapting and living normally in this “new normal” way of life.

We made it through each and every day! Before all of these things, Covid-19 pandemic, ever happened, San Agustin Elementary School is already raising its flag when it comes to ICT proficiency and capability. Thanks to the people behind the success of our institute’s ICT Programs. We were not left behind. We, teachers, already went through several trainings, seminars, and workshops which further equipped our ICT knowledge and skills and served as our preparation and foundation in this drastic change in education. We never thought that those roundtables will be our secret weapon to face each of our pupils during our online classes in these days and to come. We walked at the right path. And here we are now, teaching and reaching all our pupils and stakeholders with all the possible means that we could. Though we were given the prescribed platforms in delivering our instructions, we always open plenty of rooms to improve, enhance and equip ourselves with what fits best to what is not. We instantly become citizens of this technological world —because we have to! Aside from the printed and digitized modules handed over to our pupils, we still exert extra effort teaching our pupils through PowerPoint presentations, videos, online classes, and other interactive applications related to the teaching and learning process. These modest turns of serving our pupils, make them feel that despite all the physical distances and gaps we are experiencing right now, they still have a teacher, who is always willing to extend a hand to reach them out.

With all the shared hard work, optimism, hopefulness, support, talent, skills and of course the heart to serve, of all the vibrant people of San Agustin Elementary School, we conquered 2020. We made it this far, and surely will make it to the years to come because we embrace change for the advancement and progress of our school, pupils and stakeholders. We will always and continuously learn, heal, and succeed as one.