Today we went to Corregidor Island where we learned of atroceties during the war. The island is beautiful and picturesque today full of wildlife and incredible views, a contrast to 70 years ago. As I was downloading pictures I saw the peace pledge taken in one of the schools another TGC fellow visited. Somehow the two seem to go together well. More kids seem to get it than adults sometimes.
Ateneo has an incredible three pronged program at the school that all the boys participate in. The first prong is the guidance program, that works with each boy and family and is focused on the development of that individual boy. The second prong is the Campus Ministry which works with the boys on spiritual development. The third is the CSIP or Christian Service Involvement Program. These three prongs are vertically and horizontally aligned and work in tandem with the academic classes and other focuses of the school. We have been meeting with many people involved in this program all week at school, including Father J Boy, all the guidance counselors and today, John from CSIP. The CSIP program has different facets for each grade, and all are involved in getting the students in to the community as much as possible. While day trips and projects happen the first two years, along with a school wide fundraising project, 11th grade students spend two nights living with a family in one of two villages where they become 'part of the family'. The school works with individuals and families that volunteer for this program. There is training with these people to help explain the intent of the program, but compensation in the monetary form is not given. At the end of the visit, students deliver a bag of groceries to the person as a way to compensate for the food they have given them. We walked out of the main town and up to a small community called Camillus Ville where five of the 38 boys were housed. This tiny community is a result of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) flooding where these people previously lived. Fifteen families live in cinder block houses no more than 20ftx20ft. We were lucky to be shown around by the lady who was head of the parish and she talked at length about her goals in trying to create economic opportunity for the community that will allow them to bring in more money but create long term development. The residents have created an organic farm and vermicomposting which they use for their own food and waste disposal, but they are also growing medicinal herbs that they sell. We visited each of the homes where they were living and it was interesting to see the different reactions of the boys to their experiences - some had formed incredible relationships already, perhaps based on the individuals involved. For others, we could tell that this whole experience had been quite a personal challenge and that they were relieved that today was the day to go home. Walking down the hill we were able to observe and learn more about life in the area. We passed rice paddies, farmers with carabao, and people roasting nuts and selling fruit and tofu from buckets around their neck. Then began breakfast #1 in the home of a lady called Nana L_______....macaroni in a pink soup with cabbage and sticky rice called Biko. Nana's house also served as a small store and tiny plastic packets filled with Knorr gravy broth and aspirins hung. Nana earns about 30 pesos a day from this -less than a dollar. Next we were off to mass at the church across the street, built during World War II. The pews were packed, a computer projected words and prayers on to a screen so everyone could see and voices sang joyously in filipino. It was sitting in here I began to understand and appreciate more how the Catholic Church has helped develop and enhance the Filipino culture. Leaving the church we were surrounded by the boys and their surrogate families. Smiles were everywhere and while some were eager to get on the jeepneys, others were hugging their new mothers and not wanting to leave. Tears down one boy's cheek showed what had happened in just over 60 hours. Waving the jeepneys goodbye we joined Nana again and had breakfast #2. This time it was a treat rarely eaten - pancit -which is a dish in every store in Manila....but not here. Upon asking I learned that the residents are asked not to cook dishes that are special, but to immerse the boys in the ordinary food of their lives -in this case, primarily vegetables and rice. Vegetables have been rarer in the city. Later in the car, I began to ponder about the dietary differences between rural and urban, and the ecological and health impacts on the Philippines, and the role that western culture has played in this. Leaving the village we drove back down the mountain in to metro Manila. But the day was not done. Ritz and her husband Martin had planned a visit to a local spa and I enjoyed a unexpected and beautiful foot massage, steam bath and jacuzzi. The generosity and good nature that we have experienced in the Philippines is widespread and infectious, independent of locale and economic status. A Filipino's commitment to the church seems to play a huge role in helping create these qualities and I am curious as to what other factors are involved. They are proud to share their culture with us, and yet not afraid to enter in to a discussion when I ask them what is the biggest issue the country is dealing with.......any guesses? (More on that answer later)....Also, the program that Ateneo has set up is so well thought out and planned and the genuine relationships that are inherent, both between teachers and students and students and community members are often long lasting. Sometimes the relationships lead to other things. One of the people now working part time with this program is an ex-student who chose to turn down a full time career in an arts industry so he could continue to support this experience. Another class at Ateneo, after their experience, saved money to send to one student in the community, so she could go to college. We met her father in the church who stated he is overwhelmed by the opportunity his daughter has been given. One student took half of his allowance for the whole year and contributed it to the large fundraising project that the school does, realizing he didn't need nearly as much. I learned that many of the boys learn that these families may not be rich economically, but are rich in terms of family...something that many of them may not have, as their parents work abroad, or work long hours away from home. The challenge is to increase the number of these long lived relationships and experiences as Ateneo students often become the politicians and community leaders that can help lead the Philippines in creating a stronger more economically stable country, while maintaining the culture of community. Also, how do I take aspects of this program back to my school? Correlations in the classroom On Wednesday I got to team teach a class with Emman Delocado, who teaches 2 regular 10th grade biology classes and a special science class -which is for the top twenty students. All teachers here at Ateneo teach three classes, and while they have a Monday-Friday schedule, school ends at different times each day depending on the grade level and certain subjects. In public schools I've noticed that teachers have four lessons to teach, and sometimes there are two sessions of school, solely based on the fact that there may be 7,000 students that go to that school and not enough facilities and teachers. So here at Ateneo, each teacher has about 120 students whereas in the public school somewhere between 200 and 280 depending on the class size. The special science class meets in an upstairs lab in the science and technology center. While the students sit in pairs, Emman has divided them in to four lab groups, named after Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw etc. While the boys were quiet initially, they warmed up quickly to the activities. We began by them working with their partner to create a ______________ about what they think Geology was about. Initially Emman had asked that I teach about the correlations between Geology and Biology and while I wanted to show slides of the research I have done at UNM with Diana Northup and cave microbiology, with the lack of internet access in the classroom and by not bringing a working powerpoint and only an i-pad, it was proving tricky. Plus, I had brought examples of minerals with me and wanted to use them. So after sharing answers and discussing what geology is about, we discussed the correlations between all sciences - primarily the ability to make good observations. Moving to their lab tables, Griffindore and Slitheryn explore and examine the minerals I give them. I notice immediately that students are able to follow and are confident with the limited directions I give them. For example, I quickly draw a rough table on the board that I explain I want filled out, and the detail I see in their written work is wonderful. They are perceptive, intuitive and I can see that they are eager learners. They are respectful, and while some are eager to share answers, others are more reluctant to speak and it takes time and more one on one. They come up with some of the traits used to describe minerals, and are amazed that biotite and mica are not actually plastic. Ten minutes later we return to our partner tables and I pull out the New Mexico maps. Now begins the section of the lesson where they learn a little about New Mexico, which reviewing the differences and correlations between observations and inferences. This was more of a struggle and it seemed that the students were reluctant to ask for help, or ask questions - perhaps this is a result of not wanting to appear not to be able to understand something, but perhaps more that they are shy in my presence as a guest and as a female that they don't know...a feeling that is later confirmed by Tutham. The time constraint was the biggest. The boys were engaged and responsive and had I had a week - we could have gone in to lots of detail with both labs and made great strides. The following day I had a meeting with Emman where we discussed how things had gone and shared perspectives and observations. This is something that is formally done in the school and a useful tool for everyone....allowing for discussion and evaluation of lessons and labs and the ability to make improvements for the following year. Despite the time constraint I am very glad I had the opportunity to teach and I learned a lot. I need to write more about the teaching modules that are used here but for now, I'll leave you with a picture of the boys...and...if you look carefully, a packet of biscochitos we celebrated the end of the class with....a taste of New Mexico. Lion and Unicorn Day Ateneo style Walking on to campus this morning we still a five foot yellow banana on legs, surrounded by several students in religious garb and a large 3D cardboard Elmers glue......and so began the start of Intramural Day at Ateneo. 2,300 boys were situated by class in the undercover courts - an incredible structure that all schools should have... A tradition at the school, it is the start of the sports season and all boys are involved. The varsity players actually don't play the games but help organize the games for all the others. The boys are already divided in to classes, of about 40, with whom they will stay with all year (or in the case of 10th grade, for three years). Each class creates a mascot for the day and there is a big parade of the mascots, some of which caused hilarity among the audience. The assembly was DJ'd by one of the English teachers and there is also a special guest each year. This year, an ex alum who has done incredibly well in business came to speak, but the boys were not as excited about him speaking as the next guests -two female volleyball players from the Ateneo University team. Wearing the shortest shorts I have seen in the Philippines (akin to those worm by most girls in the USA) these athletes came out to the podium to very loud cheers and applause. There were also five cheerleaders that joined the marching band, and so the boys got a good dose of young females today! As the final part of the ceremony, the 'olympic' torch was lit and the games began. The assembly done, the boys began the basketball and dodgeball. While we missed the basketball as we were busy meeting (and eating again), we came back to the courts for the dodgeball tournaments....played in a different style to the US, one team is in the center of the court while the other team tries to hit them from either side of the court. As is in keeping with the rest of the school, students are facilitators and leaders of everything, and while there were a few teachers around, the students orchestrated everything. It was fun to watch -especially as 12D (the class I shadowed on Tuesday) pummeled the teams they were against, and I was secretly pleased at their success but quite glad I was not participating. Soccer balls do double duty as a dodgeball and despite baseball not being a big sport here, some of the boys had a strong arm and good aim. Today Paul and I, along with Tutham and Eloi went to a public high school Justice Cecelia Munoz Palma High School about 40 minutes from Ateneo. Driving there in our air conditioned vehicle we passed the usual markets, busy streets, jeepneys, and the odd 'mega-church' or two, but as we got closer to the school we started to see the building deteriorate, a larger percentage made from plastic sheeting and old metal. Getting out of the car, the school seemed to be of a similar design to other multi-storey buildings we have seen...but the odor of lingering trash was in the air from further up the street. We were introduced to the Principal, Ms Juanita Alajar, who, in the last nine years had increased the standards in this school, creating more of a community and a cleaner and more effective school. She is having to retire next year as she reaches the age of 65 and it begs the question as to the future of the school, and consequently, the future of the students. The school, as Tutham and Eloi explained is in a re-settlement area -these are areas in the Philippines where squatters have been moved to, from other places. One famous place is Smokey Mountain, a dump where upwards of 25,000 people have lived. Different sources I have just read give differing information on whether it is closed or not, but regardless, people are living there too. Live on and in trash. You should google it. While our school was a distance from there, these people too had apparently been in worse conditions, although based on what we viewed from the car, their amenities are not plentiful now. Our biggest eye opener was the size and quality of the classroom. As the community has increased, the school has had to make additional rooms. While they are currently constructing a new building immediately next to an existing one, they have had to modify current rooms by dividing them in half. Our first class we visited was a fourth year (10th grade - and current final year of high school) room that measured maybe four meters by eight meters...and the class size was about 50. Some of the rooms that haven't been divided house 70 or more in a class. In the Philippines, students stay in the room and teachers rotate rooms, in contrast to the USA, so, students are crammed in this room most of the school day. Despite all of these hardships, the students and teachers were so welcoming and willing to share and let us learn and join in. We were greeted with a chorus of "Mabuhay!" and beautiful smiles and watched the students work incredibly hard. For a few minutes Paul had the opportunity to share a math technique with the students and their interest never waivered and they quickly grasped the concepts he was offering them. As I sat there, sandwiched in to my chair between Paul and Tutham with sweat beginning to build up on my skin, I wished for all my students and families and colleagues at Prep to be with me right now, to remind us all of how lucky we have it. We know that, but these little wake up calls are really useful once in a while. Peering out of the open, broken glass window, I can see the community below. I am surround by noise and other sensory overload - noise of the workers cutting metal beams twenty feet from the window for the new building and the heavy and constant traffic on the street a similar twenty feet in another direction. It can't possibly ever be silent here. The smell of exhaust fumes and other pollution is invading my nostrils and lungs; I feel my clothes beginning to stick more to my body despite an inconsistent breeze through the metal window frames and the one ceiling fan is not working. From my third floor vantage point, we are shown in the distance a flat topped mountain that is actually another trash dump. The taste sense was activated at lunch time when the generosity of the Principle once more came in to play a filipino meal around a beautiful wooden table in her office, on china plates. But this is also the room with the attached Principal's office bathroom where the method of flushing the toilet, as I experienced, was to take the water scoop and ladle the water in to the toilet bowl. If there is money, it is not used by her for fixing her conveniences. It's for her school, her students. Out on the school playground, small areas are dotted with potted plants, and pink flowers on vines hang over a covered seating area. Students take her hand as a sign of respect when she walks with us and are genuinely excited to see her. I realize that the world needs a few more Juanita Alajars in it. We have just spent the first two days at Ateneo de Manila High School after being wined and dined by genuine Filipino hospitality.....the hospitality did not stop once we got to the school. Tutham, our cooperating teacher is amazing and has put a tremendous amount of work in our visit. We began our day by crossing the footbridge across the 8 lane road in front of Ateneo...the road can become 9-12 lanes depending on the traffic and how many jeepneys and motorbike taxis are involved in the process. We descend the stairs in to a tree-ed oasis in this city of 18 million, although most of it is manicured and I am straining my neck and my ears to try and find any sign of wildlife that is not a Eurasian House Sparrow. The roar of the traffic diminishes on the campus as we head away from the road, but the stream of hundreds if not thousands of cars that are dropping off their students at the university, high school, and grade school is a constant stream all day here, particularly when we are walking to and from school, and it appears optional to stop at sidewalks. It has been a couple of days of realizing that there are so many parallels between this world and mine at Prep. There are also some universal school feelings/actions/truths that transcend culture and very early on I feel connections here that I feel at my school and probably most schools around the world. It really is about relationships. Between students and teachers, and students and students and teachers and teachers. Beyond the universal experiences are the correlations between my school and Ateneo. Discussion with faculty, parents and students, reveal dedication, humor, frustrations, involvement, new ideas and perspectives, and shared challenges. Contrasts are also apparent, and I am curious as to learn more about these as the week goes and get more than a surface layer understanding. My favorite part of the school so far? Talking with the students. Laughing with the students. Riding in a jeepney with the students to their weekly community service project. Sitting in their classes and having lunch with them. I guess that's what makes me know that I am a teacher and know that I want to be a teacher. |
author: Helen Haskell
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July 2015
Categories“This blog is not an official U.S. Department of State blog. The views and information presented are the
grantee’s own and do not represent the Teachers for Global Classrooms Program, IREX, or the U.S. Department of State.” |