The 2002 Division Teachers’ Congress was held at the Naval Institute of Technology (NIT) Gymnasium on October 28-29, 2002. The Theme of this Congress was: “Teacher, you are the key to quality education.” 

 

Inspired by the experience in the 2002 Educators’ Congress at the Manila Hotel on October 2-5, 2002, Dr. Luisa Bautista-Yu, CESO V, expressed her desire to have this 2002 Teachers’ Congress here in this division.  Hence, upon arrival of the delegates from the Manila Congress, ASDS Josefina N. Ramos prepared a Project Proposal entitled 2002 Division Teacher’s Congress, and this was duly approved and well supported by the Governor, Honorable Dr. Rogelio J. Espina.

           

The Division Memorandum No. 97 entitled 2002 Division Teachers’ Congress was the legal basis of this important event.

 

The Congress started with an attendance check, by calling the teachers by districts and secondary schools. As each district or school was called, the teachers presented a dance or a song. Everyone participated actively and the interactive flow of the First Teachers’ Congress had a jubilant kick-off.

 

The Opening Program was participated in by students of the Cathedral School of La Naval and pupils of the Naval SPED Center Pupils.

 

The welcome address of Gov. Espina centered on the need for a solid foundation of education, since teachers are not only the key to quality education but also the key to manpower development and nation building. In other words, the outcome of quality education is a well-developed manpower force, which is behind a strong and progressive nation.

 

The focused and meaty message of and statement of purpose given by SDS Dr. Luisa Bautista-Yu provided the direction for this activity. She gave the conceptual paradigm of education, which is a collaborative effort of the teacher, the parent, the stakeholders and the child who is the center of education. This is where interactive and integrative modes of teaching come in.  Teachers are only facilitators of learning.  The future of the society depends much on those who teach, how they teach and what content do they teach.  Teaching demands dedication and total commitment. She cautioned the teachers that they could only give what they have.

 

Honorable Congressman Gerardo S. Espina graced the occasion. He strongly reiterated the fact that education is the tool to nation building. Poverty is not a hindrance to the acquisition of a degree.  His life is a perfect example of this fact.

 

Video clips of children were shown to reawaken in every teacher what their pupils/students want them to do, what they like in them and what the parents and stakeholders say about how their children learn in school. The clincher of Mr.  Jose R. Gaviola, ES-I in Nonformal Education, honed the learning and insights of the teachers on what they saw, heard and experienced from the Video Clips.

 

The use of the power point was made possible through the efforts of Mr. Clemelle Montallana, Secondary Teacher, assisted by Mr. Phil de los Santos, Demo Clerk

 

The Talk Show hosted by Mr. Carmelino T. Bernadas and Mrs. Rosana Solite, a parent, highlighted the perceptions and reactions of teachers, school administrators and parents to the Restructured Basic Education Curriculum.  The clincher given by ASDS Josefina N. Ramos made the teachers reflect on what they are actually doing inside the classrooms that enable the children learn effectively and more permanently so that one day they would be like their teachers or even more.

 

In RBEC, particularly in MAKABAYAN, integration lessens the time in teaching the same concepts and skills in the different subjects, hence, give ample time for learning to the point of mastery. Activities are much more exciting and interesting geared towards HOLISTIC learning.  What is important is the loving touch of the teachers, their dedication and total commitment.

 

The “Travelogue” hosted by Miss Carol Opeña and Mr. Dexter Mesias, Radyo Natin Announcers, allowed the teachers, school administrators and parents to voice out their perceptions, opinions and views as to the best practices, and recommendations to help solve the problems and difficulties met in the implementation of RBEC and teaching to achieve the Lesson Plan Objectives as well as School Objectives and Targets.

 

The Schools Division Superintendent gave the Synthesis of this activity.  She reminded the participants that teaching is not at all fun.  There are joys and pains in this noble effort. But what is important is to teach meaningfully, so that the outcomes of learning would develop quality lives of the learners and reshape and make this nation great.

 

The second day focused on Teachers’ Welfare. Msgr. Filomeno Bactol, Bishop of the Diocese of Naval, discussed the topic on ‘The Teacher as a Value Advocate”. Other Speakers came from PhilHealth, GSIS, PAG-IBIG, PRC, and SSS.  The role, benefits and privileges offered by these agencies were thoroughly discussed and all these were geared towards motivating the teachers to become dedicated and highly committed, to make them strong factors in making this division A Division of Excellence in the Year 2008.  Soaring to Excellence starts now.

 

Dr. Brenda Estoy, Assistant EED Chief, monitored and inspired people behind this First Teachers’ Congress.  She was also monitoring the Mid-Year Performance Review and Evaluation.

 

The raffle draw of Major and Minor Prizes solicited from supportive and civic spirited stakeholders of education was spearheaded by Mrs. Amparo Mascariñas, Mrs. Lucille C. Roa, Mrs. Crisantema T. Pastor, Mrs. Isabeda M. Curso, Mrs. Aniceta J. Zamora, and the Health and Nutrition Staff and added pep and color to this activity.

           

The guests, speakers, participants and everyone involved here were welcomed and made comfortable through the warm reception by the receptionists headed by Miss Restituta Barili and Mrs. Ma. Teofila A. Maceda.   Certificates of Appreciation were given to the guests after their respective talks.

 

The production of the Certificates of Participation and other documents, produced by Mr. Jose B. Mendoza, were well facilitated by the Secretariat led by Miss Nanette Garin, Mrs. Edita B. Campaner and the Division Planning Unit.

 

Before the Closing Program, after introducing the Division Personnel who contributed very significantly in making the 2002 Division Teachers’ Congress a success, the Schools Division Superintendent shared her observations and feedback as well as appreciation for all those who gave their worthwhile share to accomplish this activity. She left this message:  “Be a Tri-key: Lead, Teach and Live what values you would like your clienteles to catch.”

 

To wrap-up:  “A man who is fully alive is a glory to God.  You are alive if you do what is expected of you… “ (From the message of Msgr. Filomeno G. Bactol, D.D.)

           

“Believe what you read (the content of your lessons); Teach what you believe; and Practice what you teach.”

           

Only by being alive and manifesting all these can you become the key to quality education.

 

(The wrap up was given by the ASDS during the Closing Program. This report was based from the wrap-up.)