KISP Grade 4 class

All teachers want their students to understand their lessons, but not everyone can make their students learn to understand.

This is something we miss out when we want to be popular. We tend to compromise what is essential, and give importance to what is superficial. In my seven years of teaching, I have noticed that the more popular teachers are those who are easily persuaded, and those who give free time and easy tests. But the ones who are most treasured by their students are those who have touched their lives and instilled values and discipline in them. I would like to belong to the latter group.

I am used to being referred to as a very strict teacher; even scary to some. So it is quite a joy in my heart each time I receive a letter from a student for it could only mean one thing for me: the child sees and feels my heart beyond my strict disposition in class.

Imagine my disbelief when I received a compiled letter from Grade 4 (thanks too to teacher Kim Nan Young, their homeroom adviser). I was overflowing with positive feelings.

I am sharing the pictures of their letters. You can click on any of the pictures to enlarge.

KISP Grade 9 class

The last semester of KISP gave me the chance to be a sub-adviser of Grade 9. I found it as an opportunity to connect more with my Korean students, as that’s what homeroom periods are supposed to be, and it was a chance for my students to get to know me better as my brave students in the past would attest that I am a lot kinder most times than during Math class.  J 

However, the directive was clear: all sub-homeroom advisers are to monitor the students for the first ten minutes while the class is doing independent study. So, being a sub-homeroom adviser gave not much opportunity for us to interact. I came to class to enforce the directive while I made additional teaching materials for my grade school classes. A few times, I had asked help from students who did not seem to be in the mood for independent study. We, teachers catch these moments and take it as a chance to connect with the student.

And so I was quite surprised that during my last day with the Grade 9 class, they gave me letters and so much more. Thanks too to Ms. Han Haejin, the Grade 9 homeroom adviser.

I am sharing the letter they gave me:

Teacher's Day @ KISP

Teacher's Day is celebrated in the Philippines on the same day as the UN World Teacher's Day, October 5th. However, in South Korea and other countries such as Colombia and Mexico, Teacher's Day is celebrated every May 15th.

How it all began in South Korea

It was started by a group of Red Cross youth team who visited their former teachers who were sick or retired. Since 1963, it has become a day for Korean students to appreciate their teachers. Traditionally, teachers are given carnations and cards, and are presented with a program in school.

My Experience of Teacher's Day @ KISP

I was told that there used to be just a program for the teachers in the past years. However this year, classes were held for three periods before the program commenced.

Does professionalism end after school hours? Is being a professional 24/7?

This question was thrown at us in our class in Ed 223 Human Problems of School Administrators & Teachers. Here is how I answered back in 2009.