Teacher's teacher

Almost all schools resumed classes today, January 4, 2010. In Bukidnon State University, College of Teacher Education, we did. So, "classes resume; students assume; teachers presume." With a situation like this, the focus now is to prepare for Mid-term examinations. The students must assume their main duty to prepare for mid-term examinations which will be given next week. The teachers presume the course coverage is set for an assessment.

Yet inside the classrooms, teachers sensed that the students still had the "christmassy look" such that the teachers had to take the cue to bring them back to the academic pursuit of scholarly discussion. In our case, we spoke about New Year's resolutions in the context of critiquing one's plans as a writer, as a peace advocate or as community organizer. Somehow the strategy worked.

The news tells us about what is happening around the world and teachers incorporate all these in the lessons. The following are good points for discussion:

"Towering Achievement" of Dubai by constructing the tallest building in the world;

Mt. Mayon in Albay Legazpi, Philippines, decides not to erupt after all, so evacuees go back to their homes;

Preventing terrorist attacks through stricter security rules for travellers;

MetroManila Film Festival raised millions: did you view one?;

Las Vegas Shooting in a Federal Court; Gunman killed

The rumored film about the Maguindanao Massacre for sale; copies were confiscated.

Teaching, indeed, does not "leave any stone unturned" if in the process the students ask questions, give comments, formulate summary statements. Teachers try their very best to facilitate the learning environment but are aware of the difficulties that they have to endure if they really want to put more action than words.

Well, "classes resume; students assume; teachers presume." Francis Keppel says: "Education is too important to be left solely to the educators."