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I Don’t Wanna Wear Shoes…

This will be one of the most random posts ever. You have been warned

For the longest time, I was known for my stilettos and my flair for the dramatic when I get all dolled up. Even when I was teaching in preschool, I would wear heels to school. Daily. Always. No matter when. Sometimes it would be a wedge, sometimes pumps, but more often than not, stilettos. I’d also always been in pretty dresses and accessorized to the hilt…dangly earrings, emerald rings. chunk necklaces, you name it I wore it.

However, since I have fallen in love with yoga, I have stopped wearing shoes…and now I long for a job that won’t require me to wear shoes on a daily basis. Flip flops will do, no more shoes, please I wear stretchy pants and tank tops, and pearl studs if ever, are now my daily attire.

Nope, I’m not becoming unfashionable, I’ve just changed gears.

And now I know what I wanna do…I wanna be a yoga teacher. When I do, I can still say I am an accidental teacher, I guess. Teaching yoga was something I never thought I’d do, but right now, with all my heart, I know it is what I am meant to do

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

Never on a Sunday.

I am the type of teacher who often lets her students get away with almost anything. And when I say that, I mean it. Seriously. My philosophy as a teacher in the undergraduate level, after all, has always been that my students are no longer children who need constant supervision and reminders of what is right and wrong. Rather, they are young adults who are capable of making personal choices and are aware of what is good for them. Therefore if they want to cut my class, by all means, it’s not my problem. Sorry nalang pag dating sa course card day. I may not seem like I check attendance or give a high premium to it, but I do take note of it for a purpose after all. If they don’t want to submit work, that’s fine, too, but it’s their call. Like I said, malalaki na naman sila.

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Spell What?

All too often, I have parents come to me and ask about why their kids have difficulty in reading and spelling. They’re good in all other aspects, they say, but when it comes to this, they’re lagging behind. I often tell these parents to first take a deep breath and assess the situation. In what instances, for example, do they have difficulty in? In what context? Often times I observe that the children, even at age 4, are expected  to know how to read and spell words that are beyond what would be age-appropriate. Um…how can you expect a child to spell out physician or understand what an annuity quote is when you read through a brochure in the doctor’s office, for example? Give them books that are suited for their age, I say, and perhaps you’ll see that they do better. Also, I tell them not to pressure their kids into spelling words out correctly immediately (at the preschool level). I am a big fan, after all, of invented spelling. This is their way of learning and discovering phonics and so giving them time to explore will allow for the development of skills. At the end of the day, I feel that too many a time, parents and teachers forget that kids are just that…kids.

Random thoughts from Teacher Ri.

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Posted by Teacher Ria in Classroom Escapades, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Summer Activities For Kids

It’s that time of the year again: Summer Vacation! Three full months of freedom: no waking up early, no teachers, no homework and all fun, fun, fuuuun! However, this does not mean that kids have nothing to do all summer. In fact, my mommy friends say that summertime is actually just as busy (if not even more!) than the school year. What with the many different activities their kids are enrolled in.

As a teacher, what I suggest is that kids get to participate in activities that are less academic based. While I have nothing against taking advanced lessons, doing programs like Kumon or Enopi, and other school-like activities, I feel it would be nicer if the kids be given a chance to explore other areas of interest. Here are some things I can think of:

1. Sports. Enrolling kids in sports programs are excellent ways to improve their social skills and build self-esteem. They also learn sportsmanship and discipline. Plus its a good way to expend excess energies. Team sports are best, but activities like swimming, kids yoga and the like are also highly recommended.

2. Art and Music. These programs will allow the kids to tap into their creative sides. They can also learn how to be more imaginative, to experiment, and to tap into their hidden potential. Since Mother’s Day comes during the summer, perhaps a project they can explore is putting on a show for mom or perhaps making beaded mother day rings to give to them. This can teach them the concepts of sharing and generosity, as well as patience and perseverance.

3. Writing and Literature. Although these may seem a little “school-like”, allowing them to take creative writing courses can help them build their writing skills both in terms of technical writing (how to write good essays) and creative expression.

There are many other things kids can do over the summer. Hopefully they don’t spend majority of their days watching tv and just doing nothing. Happy Summer everyone!

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Teacher Who?

Ten years later, I am still stuck in my masteral program. Egaaad. Am I making progress, yes. Am I getting to the finish line? Not really. Hayz. I do love teaching more than anything, but this thesis is really getting the better of me. I have invested so much time, effort and not to mention money in it but I am soooo stuck. What makes it worse is the fact that I want to study something else now. Oh noes. I soon may need to enroll in a debt management program because of my many changing interests. Har. Seriously though, this new thing I wanna study, it’s soooo completely different from everything else I’ve done. And yeah, after it I don’t end up in the academe. Teaching still, yes, but in a different venue. Wish me luck, will ya? But yeah, I wanna get my degree. Heeelp.

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