Reflection

May Flor M. Tacardon

When I was young, one of the most popular professions was to be a teacher. I couldn’t

think of other job that’s why I wrote in elementary year book that I wanted to be a teacher. As

time passed by until I graduated from high school and started pursuing my university degree I

changed my mind. It was because I thought being a teacher was boring and not challenging.

You just needed to keep teaching the same lessons every year. You won’t grow and learn. Then

one day, an opportunity to teach in the university knocked at my door. I grabbed it and started

to love teaching.

I started teaching in 2012 in the university as a part time instructor. At first I struggled in

handling the students. I remembered giving one hundred items final exam in which 30% was

identification/matching type/enumeration and 70% was essay. It was hard for my students and

it took a lot of time for them to finish the exam. It was their first time to have a lot of essay type

of exam. Sometimes I got frustrated with their answers during oral recitation because I

expected better answers. And then I realized that I expected a lot from them based on my own

standards and what I have experienced in UP education. They were different. I must have

based the exam and other assessment based on the objectives and their capabilities. I have

learned a lot from that experience. I decided to go take a Master’s Degree in Education major in

Social Studies to learn more on teaching pedagogy. John Cotton Dana quoted, “Who dares to

teach must never cease to learn.” Teachers should not limit to traditional way of teaching but

need to adapt to innovation and changes for better learning of the students. Thus, a continuous

process of learning is necessary to be an effective teacher.

I was a Social Science Senior High School teacher at Leon National High School from

June, 2017 to April 2019. Our common practice was to make exams first. And we needed to

make Table of Specifications after. It was just a requirement especially during school’s

evaluation. I knew that it was inappropriate but I have learned more about it during my class in
Assessment of Learning. Teachers need to do Table of Specifications first before making the

exam. It’s one’s blueprint in how to construct good exams based on the objectives of the

lesson. Teachers need to be open to changes and challenges. They have to take constructive

criticisms positively to improve their teaching strategies. Malpractices in teaching greatly affect

the students’ learning and perspective. Teachers need to assist and bridge the gap, not to

widen the gap among the students.

I have learned a lot from Assessment of Learning class and I am very thankful I was part

of the class. I enjoyed the lesson and established good relationship among my classmates. I

must apply all the things I learned to my own classroom. Students are the center of the

instruction. Their needs and interests should be considered all the time. Make the class lively

and motivate them to actively participate in the class.

Assessment in terms of oral recitation, quizzes, summative exam and quarterly exams

are reflection how much the students learn and how effective the teacher is. Teachers don’t

have to blame the students alone. Teachers have to reflect what went wrong.

Results of the exam are guide for teachers how to teach more effectively so that if possible

100% of the students pass the tests.

Currently I am teaching at ISAT-University Leon-Campus and I tried my best to put into

practice all the things I have learned from my master’s degree and Teacher’s Certificate

Program. I always keep my passion to teach and serve the students. Without passion, one can

easily give up and can negatively affect the students. I always keep myself motivated in

teaching because I know I can shape students’ behavior and future. During difficulties I

sometimes feel to give up but I always go back the day when I started and think of my students

who are already successful in their chosen fields.

Being a teacher is not an easy journey but it’s worth it. It’s always a challenge on my

part how to produce good students and productive citizens in the future. As long as there are

teachers who do their part there is always hope for this country.