Elements of Teaching

First of all, I would like to commend my cooperating school, Rafael L. Lazatin Memorial High School’s routine when it comes to cleanliness. Since students change classrooms, the school has a policy that whoever used the room should clean it first before leaving. The next class to use the room should refuse to enter if they see that the room is not thoroughly cleaned and arranged. It’s impressive how they were able to maintain that. Oh well, I just thought it was worth it to share. Hahaha!

     Speaking of classroom environment, let’s talk about my observations regarding the elements of teaching present inside my cooperating teacher--Ms. Tamayo’s class. Let’s start with the teaching environment. Ms. Tamayo, in my observation, is a very laid back teacher. She knows when to give appropriate feedback, she disciplines the class in moderation, and she knows when to laugh and have fun with the students. What I like about the way she maintains an organized classroom environment is that whenever she sees that the students are being a bit unfocused or sometimes unruly, she doesn’t shout her lungs out to get the attention of the class, she understand that she’s handling high school students (Grade 10) and scolding them like little kids is unnecessary. Next, facilities. For some reason, Ms. Tamayo seem to have a projector of her own. I’m not sure if all the teachers do, because I don’t see all of them bringing it to class, but my cooperating teacher always brings it with her. The rooms for the high school students are nice, it has good lighting and it’s well ventilated. Ms. Tamayo knows how to work with what facilities she has and contrary to what is commonly perceived when we talk about facilities in public schools, it doesn’t really show that she’s having a hard time when it comes to resources and facilities inside the classrooms.

      Because of this, I can also say that she manifests professionalism. I don’t see her complain all the time about anything. If she sees that there are aspects where the school is lacking, she just tells me that I have to be prepared for those kind of scenarios instead of bad mouthing the government, the superiors or anyone for that matter. She also gives helpful advice whenever we have some free time during my observation hours.