33rd "Monthsary"

The idea is from a dear friend Gracee, who celebrates her 1st month in her new job today. (Congrats!!) And I realized that my first day at work was also on a 15th. It was June 15, 2009 and today is  my 33rd month in BatStateU. :D

That's too long to compress in a single post, too many memories to write (but I really can't write them all) so here are some of the high lights (which were documented) of the past 33 months of Maa'am Val. :D

Dear job,

Happy 33rd monthsary!! :)))

with my students (2009-2011)

BERSEC Team,  July, 2010

President's Night, October 2010

Dart Tournament, December 2010

Mr. and Ms. BatStateU, March 2011

Prof Ed class final video shoot, March 2011

Graduation, April 2011

CTE Summer Outing, April 2011

Fun Run, August 2011

w/ CON, General Christmas Party, December 2011

w/ Ms. Eleonor and Ms. Rhea, Sir EJ's bday, December 2011

HRM Function, February 2012

Let's count more months, and more years. I want you to know that I'm deeply in love with you.  :)) More love!! :D

-Val

Tangled

Today, I was amused and amazed by the magic of a lesson my students taught me: Learn WHEN TO HOLD ON, and WHEN TO LET GO. :)

photo credit

The activity was simple, it's basically the Doctor Quack quack Filipino children of our generation usually played. My students formed a circle holding each others' hands, right hand to right hand, left hand to left hand, and the goal is to untangle themselves. There were two groups with 14 members each. It took time for both groups to finally be untangled. The enthusiasm and excitement was there at the beginning, but towards the end, some were determined to finish it, some wanted to give up. Different personalities were revealed: there was the leader, the impatient, the persistent, the cool ones, the mediocre, and the apathetic, among others. :D You could just imagine how frustrating it was for them to do the activity. After around 20 minutes, both groups were able to form new circles. :) 

But before they reached their 'success', each group had to come up with different decisions: One let go of each other and started all over again, and the other held on and continued untangling their arms. Both, though, succeeded few minutes after making these decisions.

It was supposed to be about group communication, group dynamics, and team work. But the issue of letting go and holding on caught the interest of my students more than anything else. What if group one decided to let go, and do it over again, and group two decided to hold on and continue untangling themselves, would they still succeed? What if the 'leader' of the first group gave in to what some of the members wanted, that is to redo everything? And what if the 'leader' of group 2 did not listen to the other members saying, "Let's just do it again?" 

This, however, was not just a matter of 'destiny', but a matter of choice. Group one had to let go two times and redo everything before finally, they decided that this time, they had to hold on until the end. Group two had to hold on, and believed at first that they should follow the basic rule of the game: no one lets go of his group mate's hands, before they finally decided that it's time to let go and start all over again. And they were untangled.

Perfect timing. :))

Due Tomorrow? Do Tomorrow!!

I'm a big fan of cramming. And I love procrastinating. My mind works best when I'm under time pressure. Ideas pop out my head during the last minute. You know, the adrenaline rush. :)

I was always "Honda". (H) On-the-dot. My papers were submitted almost always at the exact time of deadline. If extended, I submit it on the deadliest deadline. (except for my thesis!)

When I started teaching, I thought I couldn't be like that anymore. I should learn how to utilize the time given to me to do paper works, reports, and other assigned tasks. I should focus on my work, work,work. First few months I was successful, but,nah, I couldn't be consistent. I still love the word LATER and TOMORROW. :| 

The Prince

Chapter 17 of Niccolo Machiavelli's book, The Prince poses the question "Is it better to be loved or to be feared?". Of course, there should be a balance of the two, if possible. But reality check, it's just so difficult to actually be loved and feared at the same time, with the right amount of love and right amount of fear to receive. I encountered Michiavelli and The Prince in my SocSci II class in college and I didn't think then that this question will be of importance to me now. I tried to give myself an answer when one of my students asked me once, "Ma'am bakit po hindi kayo maging mahigpit?" I gave her the safest answer I could give, a smile. :) But afterwards I tried to reflect on her question and it led me to the question in The Prince.

On my first year of teaching, I was still adjusting, adapting to the totally different world I entered. teaching more or less 50 Filipino college students per class is not the same as teaching one to two Korean elementary and high school teenagers at a time; and teaching in a classroom set up in a university in the province is not the same as teaching in a bedroom or living room in a comfortable house in Manila. I learned to be patient because of my Korean students. I learned to be lenient as well. And both, I applied in my classroom. I guess I was trying to be as nice as possible to my students trying to give them a friendly and comfortable environment when I'm around. Besides, we were almost of the same ages (I was just 20 then) so i couldn't really be as strict as most professors were. Late papers, it's okay. Absences, it's okay. 2nd chance, okay. 3rd chance, okay. 4th chance, okay. Nth chance. Ugh, okay. My students and I were like friends, brothers, sisters, family. We cracked jokes around, we made fun of each other, they told me their problems. We were very comfortable with each other. I was sooo lenient because of this kind of relationship we had. I loved them, and they loved me I guess.

But they did not fear me, I know.

I never got mad in class. When they're too noisy, I just keep quiet and when they had finished talking I just smiled and continued the discussion. When they submitted late papers, "Hmmm. Next time,ha." And even for the nth time, I still give them that reaction, then accept their papers afterwards. I just couldn't say NO.

The question of my student had a follow-up: "Ma'am, bakit po hindi kayo maging mahigpit? Para po kasing di na kayo sinusunod ng mga studyante nyo." THAT really bothered me.

Am I really too lenient that my students think that they can do anything they want because they know I won't get mad at them? Are they setting aside my requirements and doing other subjects' first because they know I will understand them and accept late submissions? Am I being too nice, and being loved to the point that my students are being very comfortable already? Am I happy and satisfied  being loved ... but not feared at all?

The following year I tried something else. The first few Yes's I tried to avoid giving out broke my heart. The first few NOs I had to say weren't as strongly said as I wanted them to be. But I had to be firm. I had to be strict. I had to be feared. So I tried to be firm with all the NOs I had to give.

Now I give considerate NOs, a lot of them. I still give a second chance, but not a third (unless of course the student deserves it). I still accept late papers, only if the reason is valid and acceptable, and HONEST, but just once. I still keep quiet when they are very noisy, but with a look saying, "Mag-ingay lang kayo,ewan ko lang kung magugustuhan nyo ang mangyayari (I don't mean anything on than,it's just the facial expression. Hehe)". I still smile, but still say NO.

Of course I don't say no for nothing. It's like choosing between pathos and logos, then trying to focus on the logos (specially that I'm a girl, and I tend to be too emotional at times; I couldn't be strict before because I always felt pity). Now I think my students think I'm strict. but I would want to think that I am considerably strict. They know the consequences of their actions. No paper, no grade. No exam because of laziness to look for their schedule, no special exam for them. Absent for unacceptable reason, grade deduction. Lame excuses - a big NO. Somehow, I am "feared". And it pays off. Because they submit their papers on time after the first warning, because now they exert effort to check their schedules for major exams, and inform me prior the exam for any conflicts, because they don't exceed to the maximum number of allowable absences, because they say sorry after I say no. It pays off because I know, I see, that THEY LEARN.

To be feared doesn't mean my students will face me with shaking knees and sweating palms, or sweating everything. It's just an enough amount of fear, with enough amount of love, which I think led to enough amount of respect, and I am really happy with that.

The Belle of Cheerfulness

My heart just melted. :')

Rhincel John O. De Veas

BSED-III

Quiz no. 5

The Belle of Cheerfulness

Simplicity is beauty… well that’s a very famous saying. It is actually nice to find a person so supple yet so exquisite like sugar and spice combined. A person like that is inspiring, actually, moving. It’s really a delight to feel that person’s presence and warmth all around your atmosphere.

            She is like an angel, a very sweet angel. Oops… she’s ma’am Valerie Go.

            Well, in her simple jokes, she can make a crowd laugh. She actually looks like a gentle lamb with all the wits and humor of a wolf. She is actually one of the most spirited people I know with all the humbleness around her.

            Maybe I sound like bull, but she definitely inspires me. She inspires me to be better in what I do. She was my teacher for two semesters and she made an impact to my life so great that I became just a whole new person. It’s like magic, no, it’s like enchantment. Spending two semesters in her class, the writer in me was born. Suddenly something deeper in my soul purged. It suddenly wanted to came out and shout what it can do.

            I’ll never know how she did it, but definitely I owe her a lot. She tells us her story and it somewhat moves something inside me. I suddenly started to believe that the most impossible things can actually start with a courageous step towards what blocks your way. Meeting her also gave birth to my maturity. Though she was my friend too, she never consent my wrongs. I learned suddenly how to be responsible for my own actions and be more firm in making my decisions.

            She’s beauty and brains combined with a splattering of glow and cheer. I really admire her passion in teaching, to somehow make a difference to other people’s life. She’s like a total package of goodness and fun. She definitely knows how to carry out a lively discussion in the most boring moments.

            She is an inspiration, she is my friend, and she is ma’am Valerie. 

University in the province or in Manila? :)

As part of the critical thinking skills lesson, our class had an informal debate on the topic, "Which is better, universities in the province, or universities in Manila?" personally chosen by majority of the students. It started with the Manila group laying down their reasons for choosing their stand, followed by the Province group's reasons. Each group was then given the chance to rebut the other group's arguments. The debate was a revelation. :) This activity showed how well-opinionated my students are. The last time I wrote here, I was complaining on my students' passiveness in class. But today's activity proved that they've got something to say,well, a lot to say. They just need some  push (or a harder one sometimes) to speak up. :)

Both groups laid down arguments from teachers to classroom to resources to university system. Of course their opinions are just based on how they see universities here and in Manila. And at the end of the debate, I tried to share my opinions on the issue, as someone who experienced studying in Manila and teaching in the province. Most of the Manila group members chose Manila because of their complaints as students (for one year) in the province (well, particularly in our university):

- isang sem na nauupo sa sahig dahil ayaw ipagamit ng teacher ang upuan (what the? when I heard about this, i couldn't believe it)

-Oral Comm instructor na nagtuturo ng Biology, at English instructor na nagtuturo ng Intro to Computer who, when asked a question about the lesson, says "naku,hindi ko din alam,eh,itatanong natin".. (Didn't know this either though I knew that some of us are really given teaching loads that are not in line with our area of specialization)

- instructors na 2 buwan an ang nakalipas ay hindi pa sumisipot sa klase, at instructors na 4 na beses lang sumipot sa klase sa loob ng isang sem

- instructors na hindi naman board passer na nagtuturo ng subjects na dapat ay board passer ang nagtuturo

- books na nirerequire bilhin dahil author ang instructor

- mainit na classroom (thinking na nasa tabing dagat kami at sira ang mga electric fans!)

 - laging out of order na cr

There are more actually. But the thing is,what these students don't know is that universities in Manila have the same issues. Some maybe are even worse. Well, the Province group, I believe presented their arguments, being satisfied with their one year experience in the university. But what really struck me was one argument: 


-"Ang mga studyante sa Maynila, halimbawa sa UP, rally na lang ng rally, lagi na lang against sa system."

Haha! I know that most people really see UP students this way. Well, that's their opinion anyway. :) (I have written some of my thoughts about that.)

Well, I am so happy that this activity was a success. :)

It's okay to feel stupid

I feel stupid, and it sucks!

I don't know what's with this day, but for sure, it's not really good. I started this day feeling excited for the activity I prepared for my students. Some were cooperative, and some (as expected) were not. I hate it when they look at you and show you a face as if saying, "And what do you expect us to do, follow you?"

Then the discussion. You really cannot force your students to speak up if they really don't want to. No matter how much you try to motivate them, (or maybe it really isn't enough?) if they choose to keep silent, they will keep silent. To the point that they won't give any single answer for your question. Darn! My question was simple: What do you mean by the term 'overview', from the words over and view? I tried to give some clue, some hint just to give them an idea of what I was talking about. A little example of the "overlooking" where you can have a view of the whole Nasugbu. Still, no answer. I felt stupid in front of them trying to give them some hint and trying to make them speak, when all I could see on their faces were expressions of boredom, and just being passive, as if saying, "whatever!" I soooo hate it.

Of course, that was just me, that was just the way I interpreted it. Maybe I just really wanted to please them. Maybe I just really wanted them to learn, but I can't help them because they're not helping themselves. It's frustrating. These kids think that they cannot do it. They think that they are not good enough to the point that they get tired of trying.

At the end of the day, I know that I should take it as a challenge. A challenge to become a better teacher maybe? A challenge to help them learn, and help them raise their level of self confidence a little bit higher, at least to that level when they can speak up in class.

Statement of Purpose

I just thought of posting it. I am honestly not so sure if I got it right, but hopefully I did. =)

When I was filling up my application form for UP some years ago, just like most high school students, I couldn’t decide which course to take. I was in front of the television that time watching the news, and I suddenly thought I wanted to be a newscaster. I wrote the following courses as my choices: BA Broadcast Communication and BA Speech Communication; BA Development Communication and BA Communication Arts. I honestly didn’t have any clear idea of what Speech Comm and Dev Comm were. I just wrote them down because they were communication courses. I didn’t know where my interest on communication came from that time especially that I knew that during my younger years what I wanted was to be a teacher. I ended up taking BA Speech Communication as my undergraduate program. During the first semester, it still wasn’t clear to me of what Speech Comm really was. When I took my first major subject in Communication, I learned how broad my chosen program was. It was like a little of everything about communication. Many think that communication is just about “talking” and that there is not so much about it that should be or could be studied. I often received comments like “Anong pinag-aaralan nyo dun? Anong trabaho nyo after?”  Because of these, my interest in the study of communication got deeper. I thought that as a communication student, I should seek answers to these questions. I was able to look at the deeper sense of communication, not just the speaker-message-receiver concept. I was able to see and examine the complexity of its process. Towards the end of my college years, when I was asked the same questions again, I answered, “Madami. We study the relationship and importance of communication in arts, science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, linguistics, economics, history, management, and politics and vice versa. We can be teachers, managers, writers, call center agents, newscasters, and many more.” The answer might be broad and superficial for some, but this is what I got from studying communication.

My desire and love for teaching still didn’t get suppressed. I thought of shifting to an Education course but I thought it was too late. Besides, I knew that I could still fulfill my dream of becoming a teacher even if my degree was in the field of communication. In fact, I thought that being a communication student would be a great help for me as a teacher soon, and it really is of great help in my current job as a college instructor, at the same time, it also helps me cope with the new job I am assigned to do – as Human Resource Personnel. My knowledge in interpersonal communication, intercultural communication and organizational communication has helped me in performing my job as an HR personnel well.

As an Instructor, I want to be of help in elevating our people from poverty through education and I believe that my knowledge in communication and other related fields can be of great help in the fulfillment of this dream. The use of communication effectively for the development of our society and country as a whole is something that is worth focusing on. This is why I want to enroll in Master of Development Communication. I strongly believe that through this program, I can gain more knowledge and understanding, at the same time more skills in using communication as a tool for development. I would want to focus on the use of communication in education as well as the educational system of our country. It would be worthy to look at the role of communication in the betterment of our current educational system.

I believe that the University of the Philippines Open University is an ideal place for me to continue my education. The promotion of distance education as an innovative way of learning helps in receiving quality education despite the distance.

After completion of my Master’s degree, I plan to pursue a Doctoral degree. Because I am currently in the academe, my eventual goal is to be a professor where I can continue doing researches on communication, and at the same time help my institution in delivering quality education to students.

Why in BSU?

Just some of the reasons  =)