17/07/2024
Exploring The Not-So-Easy Journey of Pre-service Teaching
| Feature Writing by Rogel Belvestre |
If you think teaching is a piece of cake, think twice.
Amy Havens defines teaching as the process of overseeing the needs, experiences, and feelings of people. It also includes making specific interferences to help them learn specific things. Teaching is a profession that has inspired a lot of people across generations.
"Demonstrating how teaching can be a rewarding and impactful career choice to students at an early age may present 'a glimmer of hope and light' and a means to fight for the future of the profession," says Megan Boren in their report, 'Student Interest in Pursuing Careers in Education on the Decline, But Enrollment in Intro Teaching Courses Rises'.
Student interest in working in education continues to go downward across eight states in the U.S. South. Arrman Kyaw said that despite decreasing interest for working in education, enrollment for the states of Kentucky and Tennessee's high school introductory teaching courses has been on the rise from 2018 to 2022.
In a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Discussion Paper titled "Philippine Graduate Tracer Study 4" which covered graduates from academic years 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011, Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Secondary Education are among the Top 10 Courses for Male and Female.
Now, the journey of an educator does not happen like the sudden strike of lightning nor overnight. It covers a wholesome, tedious process. And it begins with being an Education student. During their last year of college, students are required to participate in an internship at a professional development school. This involves joining a group of student teachers and receiving guidance from the school administrator and cooperating teachers.
Mark Ulla, in his research report, emphasized the significance of pre-service teacher training in preparing future educators. He also stressed the importance of practicum teaching in allowing student-teachers to apply their learned theories in actual classroom settings under the guidance of administrators and cooperating teachers. However, as I mentioned earlier, practice teaching is not just a walk in the park. There are challenges that have to be embraced with a smile and a strong determination as they act as an important armor to finish the race.
Among the challenges encountered by pre-service teachers are managing student behavior in the classroom, time management, delivery of lessons, the sudden shift towards modular learning due to high heat index, and communicating with students while on alternative learning delivery mode. Astonishingly, these challenges were overcome through the different coping mechanisms, empathy, patience, and the technical assistance provided by the cooperating teachers.
Overcoming the challenges as a pre-service teacher is tantamount to celebrating achievements. In fact, student teachers during their sojourn in the complex world of practice teaching acquired some practical skills such as creating engaging lessons, handling student behavior, and assessing student comprehension among others. Miss Ma. Eloisa Cadungog, a Student Teacher from Cebu Technological University Malabuyoc Extension Campus, stated that witnessing a student or group of students doing something or creating an output showing what they have learned from her is her greatest achievement as a student teacher. Overall, completing the student teaching journey successfully is a significant achievement for Miss Charie Quiseo.
In a short but productive span of time, practicum teachers have come to the point of reaching the denouement. And it does not come empty-handed because their entire experience has made them realize some essential insights. One of them is that teaching is not an easy job because it has a huge influence to what a learner becomes after his/her engagement in the teaching-learning process. "Dili jud sayon mahimong maestra," Miss Quiseo added. Another vital insight is the significance of forming connections and learning continuity in teaching. Witnessing the learners as they show progress and knowing they play a part in it, brings joy and a rewarding feeling to student teachers.
Teaching is, indeed, not a piece of cake. And so is practicum teaching. It entails a lot of hard work and determination. There is one thing, though, among the many that makes teachers happy. That is, to see their students outside the classroom carrying with them the indispensable concepts, skills, and values that will become their armor in the real world. A round of applause, kudos, and felicitations to our amazing student teachers for having successfully finished the journey of pre-service teacher training!
Photos by Mr. Renier Calumpang
