My Field Study 1 Testimony

Teaching profession is my childhood dream. It is because I was influenced by people

around me since grew up in a family of teachers. I remember when I was still a preschooler, I
was always fond of coming to school with my mom and watch her teach her students. That
situations paved the way for me to think and dream to be just like her. That time, teaching
seems to be easy and fun. You just need to stand in front, instruct and call the names of the
students, and teach the content. Now, 15 years later, my perception of being a teacher and
teaching changed a lot. I thought it was an easy job, but it is not.
After 4 years in College of Teacher Education in the University of Mindanao and
especially after my Field study 1 experience, I now know that teaching is never and will
never be easy. It takes passion, perseverance, dedication, and sacrifices to be worthy to be
called as one. From knowing what approach, methods, strategies, and techniques to be used,
to the activities to be conducted, and how to manage the class, not to mention the workloads
and paper works, home visitations, and school forms, all these things are just some of the
things that the teacher prepare and do especially on a face-to-face setup. Now, as the
pandemic occurred, new trials and problems challenged the teachers. I witnessed how the
teachers struggled in conducting the class especially if the content is complex and hard. Their
readiness in using the technology is very important. As a teacher, you must really be able to
expand your knowledge in using these tools and really utilize it to have a successful teaching
and learning process in a virtual setup. Internet connection was also a main problem. I
remember one time that the teacher planned on showing a video to the students to easily
incorporate the lesson. However, the connection is not stable, so she was not able to do it.
Class participation is not also seen evidently since students are not required to open their
cameras. So, it is hard for the teachers to know if the students understood or get the concepts
being taught. These are just some challenges that I have observed during my observation. But
like I said, teachers are wise, resourceful, and passionate. They easily pick up where they left
of and try to solve the problems by doing alternative plans.
This FS 1 experienced really opened my eyes to what it really means to be a teacher.
The lectures from the different professors in the university helped me to understand that
being a teacher is both a privilege and a responsibility. In a 21 st century where technological
advancement is growing rapidly, we, teachers, must also keep up with the changes brought by
this. We need top make sure that we know the things we need to know, understand the things
that encompasses teaching, and be the person that the students deserve. We are the 21 st
century teachers, thus, it is safe to say that we know, understand, hear, and see the students
needs because we were once like them. Always make sure that you constantly motivate and
appreciate them. We must make sure that we will produce 21st century learners who are fully
equipped with 21st century skills and are ready to compete locally or internationally.
I asked my mom why she still chose to be a teacher even if its hard. Her answer struck
me. She said that “the process may be hard but when you see your students excelling on the
field, they once dreamed of becoming, and thanking you for being part of their journey
towards their goal, all of the hardships and sacrifices will really pay off”. And I think its
beautiful. I want to also feel that fulfillment.