“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” said Henry Ford. This is an irrefutable truth that the teachers in Cuneta Elementary School live by. Their belief in staying at the top of their teaching game shined brightly when they participated in the In-Service Training Program with the theme “Enhancing Teachers’ Competencies: Meeting the Needs of 21^st Century Learners” held in Cuneta Elementary School ICT room and a two-day seminar joined with other schools in Pasay City Cluster 7-South District. Headed by the Event Chairperson Mr. Elrick Cacayurin and Co-Chairperson Mrs. Leah Bumanlag with the support of their current Principal, Mrs Genalin S. Ong, CES teachers actively particpated in the five-day event from May 29 to June 2, 2017.

In pursuant to DepEd’s requirement, all teachers should participate in a five-day In-Service Training to better equip them with skills needed to grow personally and develop professionally. It was with these thoughts that CES planned its Summer In-Service Training composed of different topics that would enhance their knowledge about teaching. The In-Service training covered an array of issues concerning 21^st Century learners and how to approach their learning styles.     

Each session started at eight o’clock in the morning and finished at five o’clock in the afternoon. For the first day, former teachers welcomed new teachers to the school and was given intensive orientation. This also reinforced school rules to everyone present in the event. CES Principal Mrs. Genalin S. Ong welcomed everyone for the weeklong training and gave orientation on topics teachers should expect. She covered several topics ranging from ‘Code for Professional Ethics’ which refreshed CES teachers on their responsibilities and obligations as educators to “Accountabilities of School Personnel Towards Learners” and of “Personnel Action”.

The second day welcomed speakers from different sectors of the Pasay City Division Office. CES teachers listened with rapt attention as one of their colleague Mrs. Lea D. Bumanlag explained “Issues and Concerns on Learners Information System (LIS) which taught them how to enroll their students in the system. They were introduced next to the “Basics of Microsoft Publisher and PowerPoint” by Mrs. Ma. Amor Reyes that would help CES teachers prepare their Instructional materials easier and more engaging. In the afternoon session, Ms. Irenea Loresca, a teacher from VABES, discussed “Utilizing Technology in an Interactive Classroom Setting” to train CES teachers to create fun and modernized classroom activities.

On the third day, Mrs. Myrna B. Martino, OIC-PSDS of Cluster 1 resolved CES teachers repeated need for Grammar and Communication clarifications in her talk about “Enhancing Teachers’ Skills in Written/Oral Communication”. In the afternoon, Mrs. Chiradee O. Javiniar, a PCSciHS Teacher introduced CES teachers to the novelty of an “Action Research/BERF Format”. She clarified the procedures and importance of research and its role in understanding learners better.

For the fourth day, CES teachers went to Maricaban Elementary School to assemble with other schools in Cluster 7-South District. This demonstrates the willingness of Pasay City teachers to work together in order to supplement each other’s weaknesses and highlight their strengths. Dr. Rolando Montes speech about “Inclusive Education” awakened another fire in CES teachers to be more vigilant when it comes to their students’ special needs. Dr. Rolando stretched the importance of accepting every kind of learners no matter the hindrances from the part of the teacher. To strengthen this topic even more, Marybeth Fajilagmango, a PNSD Teacher taught the assembled teachers the basics of Sign language. This better equipped the teachers when it comes to handling special cases.

The last day reserved the topic for Mathematics, a subject that not only causes headache for students but also to most teachers. Next was Mrs. Emilia Oblianda who gave an intensive discussion about “The Concept of Number and Counting” and “Place Value and the Decimal System”. On the other hand, Mr. Ruben “Benjie” C. Peralta  gave his thoughts on “Identifying Children with Additional Needs Inside the Classroom”.  To end the seminar, teachers gained important skills as Mr. Roger Junio talked about “Common Math Difficulties” and how teacher can better be prepared for them..

Before the awarding of certifications, Mrs. Genalin S. Ong reminded the teachers of the content of D.O. no. 13, series of 2017 about the “Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food             and Beverage Choices in Schools”.  This was especially helpful in ensuring teachers not only pay attention to their teaching methods but also to be alert when it comes to students’ health.

The five-day seminar proved to be a treasure for CES teachers as they welcome the opening of classes. The world is changing, as our learners. The shortcomings that momentarily planted doubts in their heads were resolved by numerous talks on how to better deal with millennial learners. Teachers are forever students and it was through this training that they gathered all the skills necessary to adapt to our changing learners.