High school teacher finds ways to relive face-to-face classes

Missing the usual face-to-face set-up, a junior high school teacher in the town of Calinog, Iloilo devised a way to simulate in-person classes as blended learning reopens today, September 13, 2021.

Jessie Comprendio, 42, a Grade 9 adviser of Calinog National Comprehensive High School tacked the photos of his 40 students in the empty seats inside their classroom.

According to Comprendio, he thought of placing the pictures on the seats to recognize his students.  He added that the pictures also motivate him every time he works on their modules.

“Ginbutang ko para makita ko akon mga estudyante basi kon magkit-anay kami sa tinda, makilala or ma-recognize ko sanda,” he shared in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo.

The photos were edited by one of Comprendio’s students and printed in their school.

Comprendio said that their principal, Ma. Emily Calumpang, asked them to prepare for their evaluation and possible face-to-face classes.

“Gusto man sang amon nga principal nga manami gid ang amon nga mga classroom para man sa evaluation kag preparasyon sa face-to-face classes,” he added.

Aside from this, placing the photos of the students in the chairs alongside their modules also help in systemizing the distribution process.

“We decided na diri na lang ang venue sang distribution sang modules diri sa school so kon makadto di ang mga ginikanan indi na sila mangita ngalan, hitsura na lang sang ila kabataan,” he said.

He also placed photos of the subject teachers of the students.

Comprendio also put up a washing area and a hygiene wall complete with hygiene kits inside the classroom.

Meanwhile, bamboo baskets were placed outside his classroom to serve as storage for submitted modules.

The unique and creative set-up of Comprendio’s classroom received praises and positive feedback from many social media users.

For Comprendio, he dedicates his hard work to his students, colleagues, school, and the community. He hopes to inspire other teachers to be innovative and passionate in their line of work despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Aton ini tanan, kabay pa mangin inspirasyon man ako sa inyo, aton ginpatahum ang akon classroom biskan wala face-to-face, ang importante ang initiative kon paano mapanami. Ining aton nga buluhaton para sa bata, para sa bayan kay nagapati ako ang edukasyon ang mapag-on nga haligi para sa aton bwas damlag,” he said.

As classes resume today, Comprendio appealed to parents and students to cooperate to ensure the delivery of quality education amid the pandemic.

“Sa mga ginikanan padayon kita nga magsuporta sa aton mga kabataan, tanan kita magburuligay para sa aton nga ikaayong bwas damlag. Sa tanan nga estudyante, tutukan lang ang module kon indi kamo kaintindi just call the attention of your advisers or subject teachers,” he said. (ERS)