FIELD STUDY 2 - DAY 15: A new Beginning has been marked by an Exploration of the Unknown

With all the excitement and pressure of my last day, Day 15 in Field Study 2, it was done with satisfaction. Even if I have failed to prepare the things, I need in my class for grade 7—Everlasting—because of an unexpected problem with electric power, I have found strength in the actualization of being traditional in teaching and learning. Actually, what is on my mind early in the morning is what I need to accomplish today. I am very nervous about how to inform my cooperating teacher (CT) that I was not able to prepare my instructional materials because of the signal and the power interruption. However, as I arrived at Pantukan National High School and early in my CT's classroom, all of my negative thoughts were cast, giving me hope that they could be transformed into positive ones. "It's just normal, Roland; that's reality in teaching," Ma'am Jenny told me. The uncertainty and pressure that have dominated my mind have ended hopeful and insightful.

DAY 15: A new Beginning has been marked by an Exploration of the Unknown. 

    In the first period, my cooperating teacher gives one student an opportunity to present to the class his prepared story to be told through reading as part of "Reading Month." The student impressed his classmates because he was one of the "naughty ones," but after he performed, everyone praised him with smiles and applause. As he has done his part of the class, the class adviser has reminded them about the upcoming Christmas party this December 16, and as part of their preparation, they need to plan the things they need to bring and activities they will engage in. My CT gave them an opportunity to have a meeting with an agenda that was led by the classroom president. 

    Because I volunteered to be the English 7 lecturer in Section Everlasting today, I took advantage of the free time to prepare for my first ever class in my field study journey. It was nervous and very depressing to think that I am not that prepared, despite grasping the hope of surpassing problems along this voyage. What I did was not take the negative atmosphere that brought me to my purpose for the day, but rather the positive vibes that came from smiling and giving my all enthusiastically.

    The very first step on my way to the classroom of Grade 7-Everlasting is not certain to be very good and will be a success, but I am reminding myself, "All will be fine, Dodong! Just give it your all on your last day!" is urging you to keep it. As I have reached the classroom, I am so glad that every student was so responsive and welcomed me with greetings: "Good morning, sir!" and "Hi, hello, sir!" Everything is in order, and I will begin teaching soon. All possible problems that I have imagined while instructing is only 40% of the actual scenario of the classroom setting. I've realized that a teacher should be very good at embracing imperfections during the process because everything impossible and possible will be there, and one word that could be a shield in destroying the show is "flexible." The situation I've been in has shown me how teachers and instructors take things seriously and smoothly while demonstrating flexibility in their teaching and learning methodologies. My appreciation and admiration will be instilled in you, our former and current teachers, professors, and instructors. 

    Of course, as part of my remembrance in this Field Study 2 journey, I have pictures of myself with the grade 7-Everlasting students. It was a pleasure to spend time with you, little ones. Hopefully, I will meet you soon in my internship journey. After an hour of discussion and casual conversations with them, their recess time began, and I said, "Goodbye, class," and honestly, I'll miss them, and they said, "Goodbye, sir." Tears, not literally, but tears in my soul, have got me since the inevitable attachment was there, and I will keep this as a treasure in my teaching and learning journey.

    I could see them from a distance in my second class, Beryl's English 8, because it was already third period, and I was going to their classroom; busy and immediately go to their areas and seating arrangements. I asked them about their absences and informed them that this was my last journey in Field Study 2. I don’t know how to react, but I am glad that I don't remember their reactions because, like in my 7th grade English experience, I was attached to them. But, because ma'am Jenny has prepared an activity for them, I let them finish it and ask for a picture with me as a souvenir. All is done, and I have gotten a clear picture from them. I am glad that they are one of the sections I have encountered that really loves performances; in short, almost all of them are kinesthetic learners. You are all awesome and will meet soon.

    Today marks the end of the journey—not of life, study, or career, but of a voyage of learning and experiences in one's reality in my future career. It was exciting, depressing, exhausting, and many other negative and positive adjectives, but the common ground is still in the process of recalibrating oneself towards the path of teaching. Lessons have been discussed and experienced. A new beginning has been marked by an exploration of the unknown.