Marisse V. Paraoan – GS AP – Academics
September 30, 2024 – The Grade School faculty spent the whole day on conversations – the professional ones. Their day started with a business meeting consisting of a brief thanksgiving for a successful Ateneo Fest, Hearter’s Best, the opening of this school year’s Intramural activities opening. Then, they were engaged in an echoing of the updates from the recently concluded Jesuit Basic Education Commission’s (JBEC’s) Annual Principal’s Meeting in Naga City, Camarines Sur. The teachers also discussed about the preparations for the coming first term-end tests for grades 3-6.
For the rest of the morning, all grades one to six teachers partook on differentiated in-house training on varied teaching-learning areas based on their years of experience and needs: maintaining classroom leadership and management (c/o Mrs. Lea P. Amores), using learner-centered teaching strategies (c/o Mr. Jonemel M. Alforque & Mrs. Rachel Mae I. Deriada), providing opportunities for pupils to engage in dynamic and productive discussions (c/o Ms. Maria Lisandra R. Tugaoen & Mrs. April Dawn S. Dizon), values integration (c/o Mrs. Mary Jane R. Becher & Ms. Eva Mae A. Canoy), school culture (c/o Mrs. Mae Divina C. Velasco, and research (c/o Mr. Marcel E. Baril). They had a plethora of expert inputs, sharing of best practices, and consultations. They all shared how helpful and much needed such professional conversations are. They also requested for longer session and a more regular bout of trainings.
Mrs. Amores with the 1st-year teachers
The resource persons of the con-current Professional Conversations were no other than the Grade School Principal, herself, Mrs. Lea P. Amores, the members of the Academic Council and the Grade School Institutional Research Committee (IRC) Representative, Mr. Marcel E. Baril. Indeed, it was a teacher helping teachers kind of formation.
In the afternoon, an orientation about the school’s updated guidelines on ranking and promotions facilitated by Dr. Charlie O. Codizar, the Faculty and Staff Office Coordinator, followed. The faculty were quite engaged with the clarifications and suggestions that came up during the meeting. Although there were few inquiries that were parked briefly, they all completed the conversation with thanksgiving for the school administration and the Committee on Faculty Rank and Permanent Appointments’ (CFRAPA’s) consideration of their past recommendations.
The Early Education Unit also had their own contextualized Professional Conversations. Their day started with the orientation of updated CFRAPA guidelines. They also had their own business meeting, team planning and teaching based on their needs as pre-elementary educators.
The Grade School teachers capped the day by preparing for the first term-end tests. While the more seasoned teachers
worked on their assessments, the first-year probationary teachers had their own session to orient them with the guidelines, procedures, and other reminders for this major assessment.
While the Grade School teachers had their ongoing professional development sessions, the Nursery One to Grade Six pupils had their Independent Learning Day at Home activities.
The Professional Conversations are part of the Grade School Department’s supervisory and in-house faculty and staff development programs. Every month, they have three-four foci: business meeting, ongoing employee development, wellness, and accreditation updates. Particularly,
Mrs. Velasco with the 3rd-year probationary teachers
Professional Conversations focused on ongoing employee development. Topics are anchored on the faculty’s and staff’s developmental action plans, classroom observation feedback, and educational updates and trends among many others. They also intend to maximize in-house experts and external community resources to ensure a more grounded and holistic formation for teachers and staff. MVP
