Private school teachers share their experiences in blended learning

Before the Department of Education (DepEd) announced in August that the start of the academic year for public schools would be postponed to Oct. 5, some private schools had begun teaching in the new normal.

- NOEL B. PABALATE

Teachers, both in private and public schools, have to adjust and adapt even at the cost of forgetting their personal lives.

To celebrate them, we bring you inspiring stories of our teachers, second parents, to our children, fulfilling their all-important mission in these revolutionary times.

Melly Jane H. Maglupay, Kindergarten, all subjects Sibuguey Valley SDA Elementary School, Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur

In their dry run, before classes started on the first week of September, Melly and her students 3 experienced glitches on Zoom and Google Meet due to poor Internet connection. It was impossible for her to hold an efficient online class. They had to depend on modular and face-to-face learning. Yes, face-to-face learning.

With no Covid cases in Brgy. Bayog at the time, the local government of Zamboanga del Sur allowed the school to conduct face-to-face teaching, provided they observed all health protocols.

But Melly still had other challenges, including going house-to-house in order to deliver modules, conduct lessons, and organize assessments. She would divide her schedule conscientiously to accommodate all her 32 students every week.

The 27-year-old educator also notes that she spends more time than ever on her computer preparing lectures, printing modules, and downloading visuals for lessons. She regularly uses her cellphones to film herself for instructions and to communicate with her students’ guardians.

“I almost have no time for my family. And even before I sleep, I can’t help but think of my students. I always wonder if they’re really learning,” she says.