The Education Journal Draft #1

Roaring through welcoming back the face-to-face celebration of Education Week 2023

By Eric james Robles

Big Bangs! Mighty Roars! And Powerful Spirit! It was truly a blast when the College of Education celebrated its education week with the theme: EDUC @ 97: Em-

powering Future Professionals and Building Sustainable Communities through Transformative Education

“A Man’s station is limited by his imagination” quoted by Jenny Lid that aligned with the students, highlighting their capabilities when they were given the opportunities to showcase their talents, skills and competencies guided by the Thomasian Core Values. The EDUC week was filled with exciting events which ignited not only the Albertus Magnus Building, but also the UST campus as the education week started off with a kick-off parade! Last, April 17, 2023, Monday, the day was welcomed with an opening mass celebration led by College of Education Regent Rev. Fr. Maximo P. Gatela, O.P., PhL. A holistic tradition which brings together the College of Education community which includes the administrators, professors, students and alumni.

After the opening mass celebration, it was followed by the kick-off parade where students were able to represent each of the programs under the College of Education. To make the kick-off parade more unique and striking, it has its own theme which revolves around Philippines Mythology. Each program was represented through an escort and muse which had their well-crafted costumes in correspondence to the gods and goddesses assigned to them. Ofcourse, this blast would not be as creative as it is, if it was not for the great arches that were carefully designed and built with passion. Proudly raising these while it was accompanied by bottle shakers that students had to bring and use while roaring their chants during the parade. It was a moment for each student to show the beauty of their programs in an interesting way.

That day was then remarkable for the students as it has left them a flaming path to be remembered. Paving

the way through continuing the ideals and competence of becoming future educators but also having to experience the entertaining as well as fun activities prepared on the Education Week. This embarked a new chapter for the students to look forward to, and appreciate the wonders of the college.

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The UST College of Education Student Council (UST-CESC) conducts “EDUKalusugan: Pahalagahan ang Nutrisyong Pangkalahatan para

sa Kagalingan ng Pangangatawan” to promote the health and wellness of the College of Education community.

Held on April 19, 2023 at the Lourdes J. Custodio ICD Room, Albertus Magnus Building, the event consists of a lecture, an anthropomorphic assessment, and a nutrition counseling, which was attended by the administrative and faculty staff, students, and support staff of the College of Education.

UST Counseling and Career Center-Education Unit counselor Nerizza V. Cristobal PhD, RGC provided the lecture about mental health wellness on her talk “EduCARES: Promoting a Mental Health-Supportive College”. The fourth year Nutrition and Dietetics students of the UST-COE assessed the nutrition of the event’s attendees during the anthropomorphic assessment and nutrition counseling sessions.

“A multi-faceted health program” UST-CESC conducts EDUKalusugan

KICK-OFF PARADE. College of Education students parade from the Sanctissimo Rosario Parish Church towards Albertus Magnus Building to officially start the week-long celebration of the 97th year of UST College of Education.

PHOTO FROM UST CESC

The Project Head of the event, Mr. Aaron Altair M. Suguitan from UST-CESC, said in an online interview that the event aims to promote the wellness of every individual from the College. “We wanted to organize a multi-faceted health program that encompasses [the] physical and mental well-being of every individual.”

He also added that the pandemic brought “unprecedented challenges and stressors for individuals”, and with the College slowly transitioning back to its normal state, the event can aid students in coping with these issues. “EDUKalusugan can help students cope with these challenges and maintain their overall well-being, allowing them to focus on their academic and personal goals”.

The EDUKalusugan event was conducted in connection with the EDUC WEEK, a part of the celebration of the 97th Founding Anniversary of the UST College of Education.

UST-CESC holds a benefit concert for a partner school

By Jewell Wayne Anglo

“Ang Himig ng Bagong Simula” this phrase excites the UST-CESC to bring back the passion in learning burning within the students of the partner school. Last April 20, 2023, PASINAYA: Ang Himig ng Bagong Simula held at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Practice Gym caters a breather and sense of community to all Thomasian. The benefit concert initiates students to bring specific school supplies that serve as an entry pass to enjoy and watch the event.

As the regular classes were still on-going, lines of students were up before the pre-show started. The organizers waited for the time that the classes would

be dismissed, and several students participated in the games prepared by the Student Council named “EDUK, Game KNB?”. Asst. Prof. John Christian C. Valeroso, LPT, PhD proudly welcomes the Thomasian community to PASINAYA and encourages everyone to bring a friend since the concert will be helping pupils from the partner school of the College of Education. Marrione David L. Marabulas from Secondary Education and Lishannah Ros S.A. Tan from Nutrition and Dietetics, hosts of the PASINAYA, are grateful to be part of the team and it was their first on-site hosting after the pandemic. The event serves as a variety show of the whole College of Education. A proud product of the College, Ms. Stella Mariz Indiongco, LPT, M.ED, showcased her talent through a song number that amazed the audience. The academic and support staff groove with the compiled trending TikTok dances. Weeks before the event, the UST-CESC organized a search for student bands and deliberate with the help of their submitted videos. A band from the Second-

ary Education, House of Pajamas, serenades the community with their three song numbers that put the audience on hype. Albertus Magnus Building composed of talented students from different colleges. Sean Archer, a student from the Conservatory of Music, performed during the event and caught the attention of the crowd as he sang his own rendition of Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me. The PASINAYA left a reminder to everyone that even if we are having a hard time we can serve each other and that is strengthened by the song of a pop rock alternative band, Hey JACE!’s Dekada saying “Ngayon, bukas, hanggang sa susunod na dekada ikaw pa rin.” A day before the concert, an indie-alternative rock band, announced their appearance in PASINAYA on their Facebook account. Autotelic’s Languyin with the lyrics of ‘tila ‘di nauubusan ng hangin at ng paraan’ embodies the purpose of UST-CESC to provide the needs of the community with no excuses and in several ways.

A 4th year Nutrition and Dietetics student facilitating a nutrition counselling during the EDUKalusigan event. PHOTO FROM UST CESC

BUNTONGHININGA. UST College of Education community sings along the song Laro by Autotelic as the band plays their hit-song PHOTO FROM UST CESC

UST College of Education conducts 3rd PSALM International Conference for Teacher Education and Formation in hybrid modality

By Charles Florence Cuyana

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To improve international linkages related to teacher education and formation beyond the pandemic, the UST College of Education, in partnership with Atma Jaya Catholic University, Indonesia and the Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators NCR, conducts the 3rd Passion for Scholarship and Love for Mission (PSALM) International Conference for Teacher Education and Formation in hybrid modality. The conference was conducted on May 13, 2023, at the UST Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Building, in connection with the celebration of the 97th Founding Anniversary of the UST College of Education. First held in 2021, led by Assoc. Prof. Pilar I. Romero, LPT, PhD, Dean of the UST College of Education, it is the College’s response to the “continuing call for scholarship” and the mission to relay values and knowledge to transform future educators.

With the theme “Foresighting and Reimagining the Futures of Teacher Education in Asia

and Beyond”, this year’s conference aims to look for ways on how to progress the education and training of future educators after the pandemic. “The first two PSALM conferences talk about the pandemic, teaching during the pandemic. But now that we are gradually moving to what we call the ‘new normal’, how do we now envision it, and more importantly, teacher education and training.” Asst. Prof. Louie B. Dasas, LPT, Ph.D., Assistant Dean of the UST College of Education said in an interview.

The international conference was composed o acher Education, National Institute of Education, Singapore; and Dr. Luciana, M.Ed., the Dean of the College of Education, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Indonesia.

Lecture topics from the keynote and plenary speakers include “The Fu-

ture of Teacher Education in the Philippines” presented by Dr. Gonong, “COVID-19 and Teacher Education: The Case of Taiwan” by Dr. Tien, “COVID-19 and Teacher Education: The Case of Thailand” by Dr. Thanatporn and Dr. Phuwichit, “Reimagining Teacher Education in the Post-Covid Era: Perspectives from Singapore” by Dr. Chye, and “Being Relevant and Impactful: A Reflection of the Indonesian Teacher Professional Program” by Dr. Lucienda.

Roundtable and panel discussions are carried out between lectures, which featured talks about teacher education and training from various scholars and students as speakers. Alongside this, the poster exhibit viewing opens to the onsite attendees of the conference. It presents the research outputs of students, scholars, and teaching staff from various institutions from across Asia.

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BUNTONGHININGA. UST College of Education community sings along the song Laro by Autotelic as the band plays their hit-song PHOTO FROM UST CESC

Pre-Service Teachers in Action

It’s Time to Be In Front

By David Bryan Bobier

cooperating teacher offered support and constructive feedback, recognizing her as a work in progress. These constructive criticisms weigh on her, but she finds solace in the discomfort of growth. “I guess I found comfort to that specific saying that if you’re still in the same place as last year, then you’re not really growing.” Her passion for teaching goes beyond material gains and extrinsic validations, and witnessing her students thrive brings a fulfillment that words cannot capture.

was a tapestry of experiences, challenges, and personal growth, leaving an indelible mark on his path to becoming an exceptional educator.

“I felt like there’s a bit of a circle of life that has happened to me since I was the one who is being educated. Now, I’m becoming an educator who longs to create an impact on her students even for just a brief moment of time.” It was her significant experience when Jana Marie Reynaldo, one of the Pre-Service teachers, had undergone extensive teaching procedures during her internship as a senior. Embarked on a transformative journey, leaves a trail of inspiration and growth as she navigates the tricky spaces of challenges and triumphs of her internship— how it is to be the one in front.

Stepping into the University of Santo Tomas— Angelicum College (USTAC), the 20-year-old feels a mix of nerves and excitement. Considering the limited face-to-face interactions, she relies on a self-initiated mini field trip as her compass, guiding her to USTAC. She realized how different it is for her to enter a school no longer as a student, but rather as a student teacher. “It felt surreal because all throughout my life, I’ve been entering schools as a student. When I entered USTAC, I was a student teacher.” With that, Ms. Reynaldo embraces her role as a student-teacher focusing on shaping young minds.

During her first lead session, Ms. Reynaldo feels the weight of nerves creeping in, causing her teaching delivery to stumble. Challenges arised, but her

Reflecting on her journey, Ms. Reynaldo imparts wisdom to her younger self. She advises finding balance and avoiding overworking, assuring herself that genuine intentions and sincere effort will always yield favorable outcomes. Additionally, she encourages embracing the holistic nature of learning, not merely delving into memorizing education jargons but sincerely valuing the atmosphere of the classroom, to understand wholly the makeup of the classroom proper.

Challenging, eye-opening, and wonderful— these words encapsulate Ms. Reynaldo’s off-campus teaching internship. As she continues to forge ahead, her love for teaching, her resilience, and her unwavering dedication will undoubtedly inspire future educators, reminding them that being educator never stops, it is a life-long career of growth and passion. Coming full circle, it is time for Ms. Reynaldo and others like her to step into the spotlight with poise and confidence, ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of their students. It is time for her to be in front.

The Struggle Must be Real

By David Bryan Bobier

Struggles are part of life. As Taylor Swift sang the lines, “If you never bleed, you never gonna grow.” In the realm of education, where knowledge is shared and students are shaped, Daniel Angelico Cruz emerges as a dedicated and passionate religious education student despite challenges that are indeed inevitable. Embarking on a teaching internship, Daniel’s journey

Recounting his time at Education High School (EHS), Daniel initially felt nervous as he stepped into the school grounds. However, he took advantage of his status as an irregular student to seek guidance from his friends who are already graduates and shared their valuable experiences on teaching at EHS. In spite of the online setup, Mr. Cruz found joy in interacting with the students, surpassing his expectations upon meeting them in person. He reflected, “Handling the students was

a fulfilling experience, and their enthusiasm defied my expectations.”

Transitioning to a hybrid and off-campus setup presented its own set of challenges for him. While adjusting was initially difficult, he soon realized the benefits of achieving worklife balance. However, the urgency to rush lessons and submit activities become more demanding during online sessions when some students are inattentive. In contrast, students were observed as more attentive and lively during the onsite classes. In spite of these struggles, his paradigm on teaching transformed, emphasizing the significance of dedication and perseverance in education. Balancing his own learning while teaching became a rewarding task, highlighting the importance of imparting essential lessons to students while navigating his own journey.

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Reflecting on his journey, Daniel advises his younger self to persevere through challenges and remain dedicated to personal goals. He encourages first-year students not to lose hope in the beauty of education, emphasizing its value in acquiring knowledge and shaping values. In spite of the struggles, Mr. Cruz describes his teaching internship as a “fun-filled experience,” cherishing the connections made with peers and students. His story showcases the transformative power of internships, telling educators in the midst of struggles, it is best to step forward and make a lasting impact in their student’s lives. These struggles must be real.

The Art of Teaching Kids

By Charles Florence Cuyana

The art of teaching children is not an easy art to master.

Being an elementary teacher is not an easy task. It requires dedication and perseverance to achieve. It requires someone to become understanding and emphatic to m ake sure that their students will be able to connect with them. With the pandemic severely affecting the education sector, more problems have risen, such as classroom issues, learning loss, and many others. Looking at these, it can be said that teaching sure is a daunting duty in the present time. But one individual pushed through these challenges and became someone worthy of being called a “teacher”.

Mr. Raphael Christian Dungca is a graduating fourth year Bachelor of Elementary Education student from the University of Santo Tomas - College of Education. As a fourth year student, the skills he acquired in the past three years as a college student was put to the test in his Teaching Internship course, in which he is tasked to become an intern in a public elementary school. He did the roles of a normal teacher: he formulated lesson plans, created learning materials, and taught his students. He described his experience as a pre-service elementary teacher in three words: hardship, worthwhile, and fun.

As any other teacher, he struggled with a number of challenges and hardships during his internship. He needed to endure the long commuting times to reach the school, jumping from jeepney to jeepney to arrive on time. He had to improvise in times where his original plans did not work, utilizing the resources he have in hand to teach his students. He catered to the different capabilities and personalities of

his students, who came from varying backgrounds. He helped his students who became non-readers due to the learning loss they had during the pandemic, just to make sure that everyone will be able to attain the skills appropriate to their grade level.

However, his internship experience is not only a story of struggle, but also of learning and joy. He was able to improve his skills on adapting to surprising situations. He felt a welcoming warmth from his students in his first day. He was able to connect with his students emotionally, with them asking him when he is going to teach them again. His views on teaching shifted, and he was able to know his skills, his capabilities, and himself as a whole more. He made his teaching internship experience full of learning and memories that he will cherish and remember once he go out to the world of professional teaching. Despite the challenges he faced not only during his fourth year but also during his past years as a college student, he emerged as a teacher honed by experience and ready to face the future.

Being and becoming a teacher really is not an easy task. But the challenges that come with this path is not the only thing someone will get in teaching, as it is also full of memorable experiences and learning. As Mr. Dungca said, the process of becoming a teacher is “a journey, a wonderful journey and a rollercoaster ride experience.” As a graduating student, he will be conquering more challenges in the future, but he will be facing them with confidence and skill.

It may be hard to master the art of teaching children, but it is not an impossible art to master.

Why Teaching is not a Single Colored Road

By Charles Florence Cuyana

Some say that in teaching, teachers follow the same routine every day. They will enter the classroom, check the attendance, remind the class of announcements, start discussion, give a short activity, assign an assignment, and that is it. A monochromatic routine, we could say. However, behind these “repetitive” activities are the varying personalities and qualities of those involved in a learning session, of both the teacher and the students. Every day, teachers encounter students from different backgrounds who grew up to become unique individuals, complete with their own set of abilities, skills, and perspectives. Teachers consider and deal with these every time they step into the classroom, and one pre-service teacher is no stranger from this experience.

Ms. Julia Juco is a fourth year Bachelor of Secodary Education, major in Science pre-service teacher from the University of Santo Tomas - College of Education. When she entered the Education High School (EHS) Teaching Internship course of the program, she experienced teaching in both online and onsite modalities. Challenges soon emerged, especially on building rapport with her students. The online and

hybrid set-ups proved to be difficult, as she had to teach while considering the needs of her students, managing her own feelings and emotions during a session, and being flexible in using various teaching and learning strategies. However, despite these challenges, she managed to push through and successfully finish her internship in EHS.

In her off-campus teaching internship, she described it in one word: culture shock. When she was deployed to a public high school, she encountered students with personalities and backgrounds that are strikingly different than from those she encountered in EHS. She got a first hand experience of

having a student who was rude to her in her first day. She met students of varying attitudes and behaviors. She was given a chance by her supervisor to let them do something about it if she was already feeling uncomfortable, but she refused. As a teacher, she needs to learn how to assert her authority in the classroom. Thanks to her perseverance, she was able to push through her off-campus internship as well.

Throughout the four years of her study in becoming a teacher, and with the amount of experiences and culture shock she gained, we could say that her views on the profession might have changed. Well, to her, she maintained her perspective on teaching throughout her journey. She still thinks of teaching as a noble profession, a profession that starts change, a profession that hone the future generations. Her point of views about the profession were not swayed by the challenges and struggles she encountered. Rather, these challenges helped her become an individual more committed to imparting knowledge to her students, no matter what kind of student they are.

Looking at Ms. Juco’s experience, can we still say that teaching is a single-colored, monochromatic road?

I do not think so. Teaching is a dynamic road. A multi-colored one. A path where we meet people of various qualities in every step. Others may see it as a dull profession, but for those who are actively engaged in it, it is a profession full of opportunities to meet and relate with people, with students. And teachers are tasked to educate each and every student they encounter, whoever they are and wherever they come from.

Teaching is a multi-colored road, and as Ms. Juco says it is “a surprising, challenging yet rewarding experience.”

Champions of Eduk

Taekwondo LAIZEL

ABUCAY

By Jewel Wayne Anglo

Embedded with the promise of commitment, this is what Laizel Angela Abucay sees herself as a Thomasian and Education student. Way back in Senior High School she was already committed to University of Santo Tomas and balancing her student-athlete life. Her commitment will never break whatever it takes and defines how she sets goals in terms of academics and Taekwondo. Aside from the first on-site classes, the annual walk excites Laizel. Just like every other Thomasian freshie and students who are dreaming to study in UST. Thomasian Welcome Walk as it was called but for their batch it was Thomasian Homecoming Walk since they are one of the batches affected by the pandemic.

As a Taekwondo athlete, the student life of Laizel definitely needs patience and understanding from the people that surround her. She was thankful to the administration of the College of Education for their consideration of the athletes way back pandemic since today. In the scenario in which their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season, final examination for the first semester was in the same schedule of their game days. She never expected how approachable and considerate the professors she had. Right after the UAAP competition in a span of two days with the consideration of her professors and a light process for her to take the test, she was grateful and finished the examination even if it was jam packed. With all of this first academic year to experience the on-site interaction with the College of Education community after three years, Laizel is proud to be a student of the College of Education where the students, administrators, faculty members, and support staff are friendly and approachable.

VolleyBall

ELISHA APOSTOL

By Jewel Wayne Anglo

Her black-gold, black-white dream was granted. This dream was not just for the volleyball program but also the college programs offered by the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas. Elisha Juliene Apostol was thankful that the offer of the coaching staff of the Golden Tigresses after two years was still present even if she declined it during her high school days. She anticipated the number of workloads and it made her grasp knowledge even more. Time management and being goal oriented helps her to continue and strive for the better. The founding anniversary of the College of Education is what Elisha looks forward to for the next academic years since she gained friends and played volleyball for her department. During this year’s founding anniversary, Elisha has a vital role in the events of the College as a flag bearer during the KickOff Parade and led the oath of sportsmanship and lighting of the torch for the EDUC SPORTS: Athleticism Towards Camaraderie.

When she stepped in the vicinity of UST, it was hard for her since the mode of learning was still online class. As a nutrition and dietetics student, she has no access to a kitchen since they are in bubble training. Blessed and thankful as she describes her life as a student of the College of Education considering professors that provide make-up classes for them to catch up in the lessons they left due to commitments in the sports they are into. Effective communication, being polite, and to compromise on the things she left behind is what she can do to be a successful student-athlete.