It's been quiet in the Staff Room as the academic year has ended and staff have started to take their holidays. There are still a few of us at work who take this time to prepare assignments, schemes of work, etc. for September. I will be off in two weeks' time, but it's work, work, and work for now.
I suddenly remembered a similar atmosphere in UST, at what used to be called Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD). We were all sat in our own cubicles, focused on our research work when someone at the door greeted us. "Good afternoon, my erudite colleagues." It was Prof. Clarita "Ma'am Claire" Carillo. We all had a (much needed) laugh.
Erudite. Learned. Scholarly. Knowledgeable. Aren't these what teachers (and other professionals) should be? Tall order, yes? I had a nephew who, when he was a little boy, asked me some questions which, unfortunately, I don't know the answers. Having given him the negative response, he retorted "Bakit hindi mo alam? Teacher ka di ba?" (Why don't you know the answers, aren't you a teacher?) Looking back, I should have said "I don't know the answers, but I'll find out for you." This scenario is replicated in the classroom. You're so preoccupied with a topic then someone asks you a question and then you're caught flatfooted. Simply saying "I don't know" may exhibit lack of knowledge, but assuring learners that we'll get back to them next time is a sign of erudition.
There are, I think, four essential elements of being knowledgeable.
First, keep oneself updated. This ranges from gaining further qualifications to attending training, from working with a more senior colleague (discipleship or mentorship) to taking on board the regular faculty evaluation. I remember Ma'am Claire once told us that the aim of (peer and student) evaluation is not to prove, but to improve.
Second, be as creative as possible. Gone are the days when teachers dish out all the information to their students. Nowadays, we entice our students to think critically, to guide them in discovering knowledge for themselves, and to weed out the fake knowledge that has sadly inundated the internet. By empowering students, the teacher becomes more of a facilitator in a learner-led classroom.
Third, honor your yes. The demands of teaching are great especially in this Digital Age. Teaching requires commitment. As Ma'am Claire puts it: “You give it your all because you honor your ‘yes.’ When you say ‘yes’ to something, to a job, to a project, to a task, you give it your all.”
Fourth, follow the Teacher. During the orientation program organized by the CERD to new faculty members in 1998, Ma'am Claire mentioned to us that the greatest man on earth was a teacher. That Teacher once said "Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart."
To Ma'am Claire, belated happy birthday and congratulations for 11 fruitful years of serving as UST's Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. Thank you for being such an erudite, kind, down-to-earth, and supportive colleague. Keep up the good work of inspiring teachers and learners. Best wishes!
There are, I think, four essential elements of being knowledgeable.
First, keep oneself updated. This ranges from gaining further qualifications to attending training, from working with a more senior colleague (discipleship or mentorship) to taking on board the regular faculty evaluation. I remember Ma'am Claire once told us that the aim of (peer and student) evaluation is not to prove, but to improve.
Second, be as creative as possible. Gone are the days when teachers dish out all the information to their students. Nowadays, we entice our students to think critically, to guide them in discovering knowledge for themselves, and to weed out the fake knowledge that has sadly inundated the internet. By empowering students, the teacher becomes more of a facilitator in a learner-led classroom.
Third, honor your yes. The demands of teaching are great especially in this Digital Age. Teaching requires commitment. As Ma'am Claire puts it: “You give it your all because you honor your ‘yes.’ When you say ‘yes’ to something, to a job, to a project, to a task, you give it your all.”
Fourth, follow the Teacher. During the orientation program organized by the CERD to new faculty members in 1998, Ma'am Claire mentioned to us that the greatest man on earth was a teacher. That Teacher once said "Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart."
To Ma'am Claire, belated happy birthday and congratulations for 11 fruitful years of serving as UST's Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. Thank you for being such an erudite, kind, down-to-earth, and supportive colleague. Keep up the good work of inspiring teachers and learners. Best wishes!
