By: Mark Aleson Sanico & Ms. Rodiza Anne Elmido
Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) remains committed to enhancing its educational practices by ensuring that its teachers stay at the forefront of innovation, teaching tools, and skills. As part of the school’s ongoing professional development initiative, a group of dedicated Ateneo Hearter Formators from the Grade School Department recently took part in a National Benchmarking Tour. This educational journey aimed to strengthen the teachers’ capacity to remain responsive and relevant to the ever-evolving needs of their pupils.
The overarching goal of the benchmarking tour was to enable these formators to observe best practices from various academic institutions and engage in meaningful exchanges with fellow educators. By visiting schools with robust educational practices, they could gain insights into diverse teaching methodologies and how these can be adapted to meet the specific needs of their students. Furthermore, visits to the host schools’ instructional facilities provided an opportunity to see firsthand how different schools utilize their spaces and technological tools to support and enhance the learning experience.
Batch 1
The first batch of SHS-AdC educators embarked on their National Benchmarking Tour from March 12 to 15, 2024, visiting various schools to explore new teaching practices and enhance their professional growth. During this tour, they had the opportunity to observe different institutions and interact with faculty members from Xavier School San Juan, St. Paul College Pasig, Ateneo de Manila Grade School, and De La Salle University.
The tour allowed educators to gain firsthand insights into innovative pedagogical approaches, classroom management strategies, and student engagement techniques being implemented in some of the country’s leading academic institutions. Through guided tours, classroom observations, and panel discussions, the group gathered valuable knowledge and inspiration to bring back to their own classrooms.
Beyond the academic exchange, the benchmarking experience also fostered camaraderie and collaboration among participants, reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning and professional dialogue. The tour served not only as an opportunity for growth but also as a reaffirmation of SHS-AdC’s commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement.
Below are the formators who make up the batch:
Participants Position/Assignment
Mrs. Lea P. Amores Principal
Ms. Marisse V. Paraoan AP – Academics
Ms. Maria Lisandra Tugaoen Reading & Literacy SAC
Mrs. Anne Avis Ong Chinese SAC
Mr. Jonemel Alforque Science SAC
Mr. Avenger Alob MAPECH SAC
Ms. Eva Mae Canoy CLF SAC
Mrs. Denise Corina Sanchez Early Education Unit Coordinator
Mrs. Karina Marie Pepito Character Prefect (Primary)
Mr. Ricardo Flores Jr.
Ms. Janvarica Acop
Batch 2
The second batch of SHS-AdC educators continued their benchmarking tour from March 3-6, 2025, visiting a new set of schools composed of St. Scholastica’s College – Manila, Miriam College, Colegio San Agustin – Makati, Assumption College – San Lorenzo, and Ateneo de Manila Grade School. This exciting opportunity allowed the formators to exchange insights with their counterparts at these prestigious institutions, broadening their approach to teaching and strengthening their ability to foster a dynamic learning environment at SHS-AdC.
Below are the formators who make up the batch:
Participants Position/Assignment
Mrs. Lea P. Amores Principal
Mrs. Mae Divina C. Velasco AP – Student Formation
Mrs. April Dawn Dizon English Language SAC
Mrs. Mary Jane Becher Filipino SAC
Mrs. Rachel Joy Baril Math SAC
Mrs. Rachel Mae Deriada Social Studies SAC
Mrs. Mylene Louise Santiago Guidance Services Coordinator
Mr. Mark Aleson Sanico SEEDS Student Publication Moderator
Ms. Ernestine Kate Tulod Magis Society Student Council Moderator
Mrs. Pamela Labadan Faculty Club Representative
Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu demonstrates its commitment to a culture of innovation and lifelong learning by offering teachers opportunities to broaden their professional horizons. The National Benchmarking Tour acts as a platform to raise educational standards and foster a more dynamic and responsive learning community for students.
As SHS-AdC continues to foster an environment of growth for both students and faculty, this initiative is one of the many ways the school ensures that its educators remain equipped with the tools, knowledge, and strategies to meet the challenges of modern-day teaching.
