Seminar

Last Saturday, I attended a seminar in La Consolacion College. We were supposed to leave by 6am but we had to wait for some of our co-teachers. We left for the seminar at around 6:45. The seminar was sponsored by REX Bookstore, Inc. They hold these seminars as part of their teacher empowerment program and well, to sell their books, of course. Anyway, I was asked by the assistant principal to attend the science yada seminar. The principal, on the other hand, suggested that I attend the seminar for administrators. So I actually went there without really knowing what seminar I will be attending. Haha, how typical of me.:) Anyway, when I looked at the registration form (which was with the school registrar), I saw my name listed under pre-school. So I attended the one for preschool teachers. There were 3 categories under Preschool, I chose the second one, which is Language. I wanted to get ideas on how real teachers teach language, haha!:) Well, I am a teacher by profession but I wouldn't claim to be an expert in the field since I have no education units and this is my first time to teach preschoolers.

I am the only preschool teacher in this school. In short, I had to go alone in that seminar for preschoolers.

Problem #1: I didn't have a company ID with me. Well, that's because I don't have one yet. I have to find time to get a decent picture so I can have my ID made.:) I just told the girl that I don't have mine with me and she was like, "uh, do you have someone with you who has an ID?" "Yes, but they're attending the seminar for the high school department. " "Do you have any other IDs?" "Uh, I have my old company ID but I don't work there anymore." "Ah, ok. That should do." Hah, problem solved.:)

Problem #2: Where is Sta. Monica Building!? I heard it was somewhere near the gate. Of course, I know where the gate is so I went with the people I do not know. I just walked with them. I even tried asking some unknown person if she knows where Sta. Monica building is but no luck. She has no idea. She was perhaps as lost as I was. She had a friend with her though, not like me who was alone.:( So again, I walked towards the direction of the gate. Yes, with the people I do not know. I asked around once more only to find out that would have I looked at my right I would have seen the name of the building in BIG, BOLD letters. Haha!:)

Problem #3: I had to sit with unknown people and try to pretend that I hardly care about whether I know anyone from there or not.:) The person seated to my left just started talking to me. She introduced herself as Ghie (I think). Of course, I was forced to introduce myself. I think she asked for my name, where I teach... basic info... so I was forced to asked her the same stuff.:) Since it was a seminar for preschool teachers, we had to dance a lot and sing. I even had to hug the person to my left several times for 1 particular action song.

Problem# 4: I had to introduce myself. Funny but it made me nervous. I don't know why. I just get nervous a lot when I have to talk in front of strangers, older people. So I was really nervous. I even forgot to mention where I work. "I'm Teacher Nica. I taught gradeschoolers in a small progressive school in Antipolo for 2 years. Now, I teach preschool in the mornings and 3rd yr chem in the afternoons." It sounded weird but it's true, what can I do?:) Anyway, I think I did well. My voice wasn't that shaky, I think.:)

Problem #5: We were asked to discuss/ resolve common problems with children. Aside from that, we had to make a lesson plan. Hah, I totally am not an expert in this field. I didn't even know how a real preschool teacher's lesson plan would look like, haha!:) They have this specific format. Ok. So the participants were divided into 5 groups and hurray! my groupmates, asked me to do the demo/ interpret our lesson plan. OH MY! It really scared me. I don't exactly know how a normal preschool class is. Anyway, we had an easy topic, the /s/ sound. I heard someone say that I was good. Yeah, baby!:) And the speaker also enjoyed my demo and complimented the group. I think they liked my actions, haha!:) Or was it my voice? I had to sing in front of around 45 teachers. Ugh! Anyway, I was the least jologs of all those who talked in front of the class.

I learned a couple of things from my groupmates. I actually wanted to get their contact numbers but was too shy to do so. I wanted to improve my teaching and half day of interacting with them just wasn't enough to learn everything. And of course, I only got to ask about things that are relevant to what we have been asked to do. Overall, the seminar was good. It made me feel that I'm not that bad of a preschool teacher.:) There's hope for me.:) Good luck to me and my students!:)