MY ADVISORY CLASS(ES)
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
― William Arthur Ward
Academic Year 2018-2019
GRITTY TWELVE
My fifth year in Southville has been a challenging experience for me. I was brought back to the high school department after four years of handling fourth graders. Even though I was never new to teaching young adults, since my training was really for high school, this year was a new thing for me.
12-Grit is a class of graduating high school students taking the academic track: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics which is also known as STEM. They are composed of 28 bright students: majority are Filipinos who were born and raised in different countries (e.g. United States of America, United Arab Emirates) four Koreans, one Filipino-Japanese and one Filipino-Pakistani.
Without any biased, this batch of students is one of the most responsible classes I have ever handled. This class is led by Kim Hyoun Young (Class President), Kyla Pauline Olegario (Vice President), Pauleen Bañares (Secretary), Aaron Matthew Aquino (Treasurer), Sofia Margarita Malvar and Iñigo Medina (Discipline Officers). We are also blessed to have Syou Katsumi as the batch class representative.
It was not easy to connect with teenagers, but this class made it easy for me. This batch has the brain and the heart. They remain humble and cool despite their high academic standing. They have respect for teachers, but can be naughty at times too.
Having class with them is never complete without me shedding a tear, because of laughter! They do not fail to make me laugh, because of their silly jokes. I always tell myself that, maybe, the reason why I became their class adviser is because I am trained to handle 'children.'
The academic year with this class is truly a memorable one. I believe that the best is really saved at the last! I am so proud and grateful that I have been a second mom to these students who are excelling both in academics and values. People may see them as young adults who are geek and studious, but I see them as children at heart who always choose to be happy despite of the challenges of being an adolescent.
Academic Year 2017-2018
This batch really exhausted all the energy I had (in a good way). 4-Hope, Batch 2017-2018 taught me to be the most patient adviser to these kids who had so much energy.
They were almost thirty during 1st term, so the school decided to create another section for fourth graders. Just imagine, I began handling 28 kids in a room. The energy that they gave me was so powerful that I needed to keep up with it. I was so glad, because I knew about the Science of Happiness. This made me create a classroom where children get to enjoy being a child through playing games, dancing and singing.
I am thankful, because I got the chance to know about Neuroscience. This year was a total application of the brain based principles I got from taking TESOL certification course in 2015: movement, emotions, collaboration, multi-sensory and personalization (Kelly, 2016). These are always on my mind everytime I teach kids.
I still remember the last conference I had with their parents. One of the mothers told me:
"Ms. Lara, thank you for being so patient and understanding with my son. I saw how his behavior changed."
FOUR HOPE
(The Most Energetic)
4-Hope Batch 2017-2018
Class Picture & Fine Dining
Academic Year 2016-2017
four hope
(The Kind Ones)
This batch of 4-Hope is what I call the 'kind ones.'
They were cooperative and easily engaged. I remember, I would always be praised for their good classroom behavior. There maybe times they would be naughty, but at the end of the day, they were just kids!
Academic Year 2015-2016
This batch of 4-Hope are the talented ones.
This was not the first time I led the class in a talent night performance, but this batch really nailed it!
I remember how we transited from Munich campus to Tropical to just practice handmime in the dance room using the UV light.
Teaching children to perform was never easy, especially if not all of them are good in dancing and singing. I think that it was their dedication that put them on spotlight. This batch will always have a place in my heart.
FOUR HOPE
(The Talented)
This photo was taken in 2016 during our talent night. 4-Hope interpreted and sang the songs of Michael Jackson about the nature. They were applauded for a touching performance.
This was, I think, the most difficult test I've ever had as a teacher: my first year in teaching children!
I was supposed to teach 9th grade students, but because there was a need to replace the English teacher in grade school, I was put into a fourth grade class.
I still can recall how overwhelmed I was the first day I came in their classroom. This batch had so much energy!
Just imagine kids running around the classroom, rolling their bodies on the floor... They made my 1st year in Southville exhausting, but life changing!
It was this year when I was able to teach kids a performance for the first time. Since the theme was about Disney, I decided to use Peter Pan.
They were applauded for an adorable performance!
FOUR CHARITY
(My First Batch)
Academic Year 2014-2015
