Dasmariñas, Cavite – Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) and De La Salle Philippines (DLSP), through One La Salle Educational Foundation, Inc. (OLEF), launched their 3-year training program for Junior High School Science teachers with the conduct of the Year 1 Transforming the Self in-person training at De La Salle University Dasmarinas (DLSU-D) last July 23-26, 2024 involving the first batch of 30 master and senior ranked junior high school science teachers from SBFl’s classrooms beneficiary high schools and integrated schools.
Under the banner of the “Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building” program, SBFI and
DLSP developed the training as a major response to the challenges of junior high school science teachers where they are pressed to teach multiple branches of science namely, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, but their specialization, years of experience and education, and content mastery are limited to one branch of science.
Key features of the Year 1 in-person training included the exposure of the science teachers to model laboratories as well as introduction of digital platforms to enable students to visualize science concepts such as three-dimensional models of cell and body systems for Biology and game for visualization of chemical reaction and balancing of chemical equations for Chemistry.
As many public schools are challenged with lack of science laboratory equipment, teachers also did hands-on experiments using alternative tools such as Make-roscope, an affordable and portable keychain microscope that can be placed on the front camera of any smartphone or tablet, to examine cellular structures of plant and animal cells useful for Biology classes.
Teachers also had a recap of the basic science laboratory equipment, guidelines on the safety usage of equipment, and acceptable alternative equipment for experiments in Chemistry and a session where they operated a physical model of electromagnetism to allow visual teaching of Physics concepts.
The Year 1 in-person training is aimed at making science teachers experts in model lesson planning and implementation where they enhance science teaching pedagogy through the activation of the 21st century skills of students, the incorporation of sufficient hands-on activities using common and alternative experimentation tools and materials, and the enhancement of the critical thinking skills of students through innovative ways of testing student knowledge.
Each of the 30 teachers developed drafts of 3 model lesson plans – 1 per branch of science, where 10 drafts from the batch were enhanced through breakout groups and presented to a panel during the last day of the training.
Teachers were surprised to receive a set of educational tools on the closing of the in-person training. Educational tools given included Make-roscopes with sample slides, complete dissecting kit, solar panel, laboratory thermometer, beaker, test tubes, test tube holder, alcohol lamp, portable weighing scale and evaporating dish – all intended for teachers to immediately innovate their Science teaching pedagogy as they return to their respective schools.
One remarkable participant from the training is Carlo Medrano, a Master Teacher currently doing his doctorate degree at a young age of 29. He is from San Jose City National High School in Nueva Ecija, a recipient of a 2-storey, 10-classroom SBFI school building in 2022 and the first structure donated by SBFI with a science laboratory.
Medrano is a graduate of BS Medical Technology and started working in the same field. He initially viewed teaching as just a part-time job, but he later realized that teaching science was his true calling. He loved Science and he wanted students to also love Science despite being faced with lack of resources at school. “I have had many colleagues who have come and left but for me, I know that my students look at me as a mentor. I hope that more colleagues will not lose heart in teaching”, he said. During the training, even when he was the youngest, he served as a mentor to his fellow teacher trainees’ who were not confident and experienced in using microscopes.
SBFI Chairman, Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., acknowledged the various challenges of Science teachers given lack of resources and the subject being unappreciated and found to be difficult by students. “No matter how discouraging things may be, you need to believe in yourself and look at the bigger picture. Let us not grow tired of doing our part to help elevate the learning standards of our students, who will be the future leaders of our country, so that we can have a better future. Let us persevere in this endeavor, even if we have to do it one child at a time,” said Simpao.
Teachers also had a touching visit at Bahay Pag-asa, a transformational facility inside DLSU-D campus for children-in-conflict with the law who would want a second chance, finish their education and be better when they are to be re-integrated to society. At Bahay Pag-asa, Science teachers appreciated the value of their role as an educator and the importance of working with various stakeholders to help students be better.
#BetterBankingIsSustainable #MentoringFutureLeadersForNationBuilding #SBFITeachersTraining