DAEVAN D. VERDADERO
Divine Word College of Laoag- Graduate School
Abstract
This reflective narrative describes a teacher's journey inspired by Martin Heidegger's concept of dasein. This concept stresses the importance of caring for others and making meaningful contributions to the community. In 2016, the author became a teacher. As a teacher, the author was inspired by Dolly Parton's teaching style. Also, this narrative tells the numerous issues and challenges facing the Philippine education system, such as curriculum reforms such as the K to12 program. In addition, the impact of globalization and technological advancements on education.
Creativity and effective teaching styles are important to address several issues in education. It is also significant to note the commitment of teachers in nurturing students’ skills, values, and adaptability. This signifies that teaching styles have changed to adapt the unforeseen events such as pandemics and natural disasters. It is worthy to note the significance of empathy, adaptability, and lifelong learning in addressing these challenges.
Lastly, the narrative shows the commitment, determination, and enthusiasm of educators who continue to provide high-quality instruction despite challenges, underlining their role as adaptable and responsive educators in an evolving educational setting.
Keywords: Dasein, K to 12 curriculum, teaching
Introduction
Dasein was first proposed by Martin Heidegger, who stressed that it is based in compassion and finds purpose in improving being alive. In my opinion, every activity, no matter how big or small, has an impact on society. I began to view my work as a teacher as a significant contribution to the community as a result of this insight.
In 2016, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education with
a major in Biological Sciences from a state university in Ilocos Norte. My
career as a classroom teacher began in 2016 after I passed the licensure exam.
I believe that my academic training and experiences honed my skills and
provided me with both traditional and modern teaching strategies, as well as a
strong foundation of educational theories and philosophies. These have
helped me to become a successful and capable 21st-century educator.
As a person, I am inspired by Dolly Parton's words, "Find out who
you are and do it on purpose." As God's son, I will live in this world
believing in what I can do rather than what others say. I will be able to
achieve more as a result of this. Similarly, being true to myself will enable
me to accept my flaws and turn them into strengths. Living with this philosophy
is one way of understanding and appreciating oneself. As a result, I will be
empathetic with others, which will have a significant impact on others because
it tends to come from a heart with pure motives to become the best one can
be.
Teaching is a difficult profession that requires moulding and shaping
young minds to be resilient and adaptable to whatever the future holds. This
task is exacerbated by the rapid pace of technological advancements that propel
modern civilization. Furthermore, we live in a society that is becoming more
diverse, globalized, and saturated with complex media. Similarly, classrooms
have become more multicultural, requiring educators to adapt to the changing
educational landscape, including the broader effects on communities and ASEAN
integration
Paramount to
this, education prepares students for life in this world. Amidst many emerging
social issues and concerns, students need to communicate, function, and create
change personally, socially, economically, and politically on local, national,
and global levels. Schools thus require teachers who are competent in many
ways of learning to respond individually to each student. In this sense,
teachers must develop innovative teaching and learning techniques for various
types of learning. Teaching and learning techniques that rely on social history
and daily lives might contribute to students' varied learning processes and
cultures.
Philippine Education Crisis at A Glance
Unfortunately, efforts are also underway to
align the Philippine basic education system with international standards by
making it relevant and responsive to both local and global contexts (DepEd,
2019). According to Philippine Business for Education (2023), 9 out of 10
children aged 10 cannot read simple texts. Additionally, systemic support gaps
have left teachers overburdened, underpaid, and disheartened, driving many to
seek better opportunities abroad. These factors hinder the recruitment of
future educators, diminish the teaching profession’s appeal, and undermine its
recognition.
The K to 12 Program, like any curricular
reform, has its own set of challenges. Results from both national and
international standardized assessments indicate no significant improvements in
Filipino learners' academic performance (Mullis, Martin, Foy, Kelly, and
Fishbein, 2020). A review of the curriculum has identified areas for
improvement, offering insights into what works, what can be strengthened, and
where problems persist (Department of Education, 2023).
Addressing the challenges that affect
teacher performance is critical, as teachers play a vital role in student
learning. Key areas requiring intervention include enhancing subject matter
expertise and pedagogical skills, particularly in high school, to effectively
develop the 21st-century competencies students need (DepEd, 2022).
My Dasein, My Journey as a Teacher
To
tune with my dasein, fostering skills and values formation is at the heart of
education. I am committed to giving students the tools they need to see their
value, analyze information and situations, and effectively solve real-world
problems. It means that teaching is more than covering content, learning is
merely taking in, and assessment is more than accurate recall. Thus, profound
understanding is assured when students are put in an actual learning
environment and let them manipulate, relate, and adapt to various learning
opportunities and resources available within the community. Lessons become more
real-life, customized, and appropriate.
Similarly,
I constantly expose my students to creative challenges, which increases their
confidence and creative competence. They will build confidence to create
something worthwhile, draw and develop their capacity to frame opportunities
for change and form ideas emphasizing the importance of feedback and
experiences. As a result, they will
become more accountable for their learning.
However,
some of my current educational philosophies are no longer applicable in the
learning setup caused by the pandemic and even catastrophes. As we shift to another setup, how could we engage our learners in the teaching and learning process
and ensure they are learning if we are separated in the actual setup?
With
the different unprecedented scenarios, empathy is required. My learners are
struggling to cope with the abrupt changes, which are exacerbated by various
factors such as limited materials, a lack of available learning facilitators,
health issues (fear, anxiety, etc.), and others. As a teacher, I must be
sensitive to their current circumstances and provide learning interventions
that benefit them.
Besides,
a good teacher cannot begin or continue to inspire learning unless they are a
learner. As a result, a teacher is not only a teacher but also a lifelong
learner. In this regard, I am convinced that I must keep the fires of
knowledge, dedication, and passion burning by compiling a library of
professional expertise, furthering my education, and actively attending
workshops and conferences with other teachers to share ideas, practices and
innovations.
It is
worth emphasizing that teachers are crossing the border with a positive
attitude and persistent enthusiasm to guarantee that they can continue to
provide quality education despite the risks posed by the physical distribution
of learning kits and modules.
Indeed, teachers'
resilience, passion, and commitment during these trying times made them become
the responsive teachers who cross the borders to connect the students.
Conclusions
The role of a teacher is incomparable. Aside from delivering quality instruction, teachers shape lives and even adapt to societal and educational demands to meet the diverse needs of students. The concept of dasein by Heidegger suggests that teaching becomes the fruit of an act of care and even a meaningful contribution to society. Based on various assessments that were conducted, the educational system in the country faces various challenges such as ratifying the curriculum, globalization and unforeseen problems like pandemics and catastrophes but teachers remain committed to fostering students’ skills, values, and resilience. Through empathy, creativity, and meaningful learning, teachers not only address the changing needs of education but also ignite transformation making an indelible ink that could last on individuals and the society as a whole.
References
Department of Education Order No. 21, s. 2019. Policy guidelines on the K-12 Basic
Education Program. Pasig City: DepEd.
Department of Education. (2022). Philippine education plan 2030. Pasig City: DepEd.
Department of Education. (2023). General shaping paper. Pasig City: DepEd.
Mullis, I., Martin,
M., Foy, P., Kelly, D. and Fishbein, B. (2020). TIMSS 2019
International Results in Mathematics and Science.
Retrieved from https://timssandpirls.bc.edu/timss2019/international-results/ on November 15, 2024.
PBED 2023.A Report on the state of Philippine education. Retrieved from https://pbed.ph/blogs/47/PBEd/State%20of%20Philippine%20Education%20Report%202023 on November 15, 2024.
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