"It takes a big heart to shape little minds." – Unknown
As they say, teaching is the noblest profession of all. It takes a lot of courage, patience, and confidence. I have always looked up to teachers since I was a kid. Every instructor and instructress I had left something I will always carry with me. Now that I am taking the same path, I wonder what impact I might leave behind to my future students.
I am now in my final year in college as an Education student. Our field study has just started, and all of us seem to have mixed emotions about this wonderful experience. We were given the opportunity to choose a specific school for our field observation—two options: one in Bogo City and another in any school in Cebu Province. I chose DCMSTIS in Bogo City and HFMNHS in Tabogon, Cebu. Then, we were told to begin our observation in Bogo City, which means I get to observe at DCMSTIS first.
Together with my classmates, our first week was a pretty good start, and we are learning how to adjust. Each of us was assigned to a specific section, and the adviser of that class will serve as our coordinating teacher. I was assigned to Grade 8 – Kasadya, whose students have brilliant minds. Though their energy and cheekiness are a bit overwhelming, I know overtime I can handle it.
Every day, I sit near the teacher’s table to observe the classes. There are eight subjects, and I take note of important details on how each teacher delivers the lesson and facilitates the activities. During break time, I had an insightful conversation with my cooperating teacher, who shared her own journey from when she was a student teacher like me. Her stories motivated me to work harder and embrace every learning experience.
Then at lunch, my classmates and I gathered at the school canteen, where we talked about our daily struggles, learnings, and random things. It was a nice time to relax and unwind after an exhausting morning of observation. Moments like these remind me that we’re all growing and learning together.
The following week was dedicated to preparing for the Science–Math Celebration. It featured a variety of activities for the students, so some classes were put on hold to give them time to practice. Instead of being idle, I used the free hours to explore, observe, and keep myself meaningfully engaged.
One of the competitions for the Sci–Math event was slogan and poster making, and I had the honor of judging the students’ artworks. It was quite challenging because every piece was beautifully crafted and showed impressive creativity. Thankfully, with the help of my co-judges, we evaluated each entry fairly and selected the most deserving winners.
A day before the main event, we, as student observers, were greatly needed to help ensure that everything was well-prepared and organized. We were tasked to decorate the stage using resources that was given to us. There were florals, backdrops, and the slogan and poster artworks. It was a rewarding experience to see how our combined efforts and creativity could make the event look vibrant.
I also helped my cooperating teacher, Ms. Mary, with her advisory class’ costumes and props for the Math Sayaw Competition. I noticed she was having a hard time, so I offered a helping hand to assist in arranging and preparing the outfits. She is truly inspiring, as her supportive spirit for her students reflects her genuine passion for teaching. The students were also very collaborative, eagerly assisting us with their costumes. After we finished, Ms. Mary entrusted me with the remaining time to facilitate the students during their dance practice, which gave me a valuable opportunity to guide and encourage them while observing their teamwork and dedication.
Then, the final event finally arrived, and the air was buzzing with excitement. Everyone was cheering, and you could feel the fiery energy all around. Students, teachers, staff, student observers, and parents gathered in the quadrangle to celebrate the culmination of the activities and witness the performances they had long prepared for.
I assisted the Grade 8–Kasadya students with their hair, makeup, and props, feeling like a truly supportive teacher. It was heartwarming to see their confidence grow as they stepped onto the center. By the time the program ended, the event had wrapped up beautifully, and everyone left with a sense of fulfillment. Though not all were given awards, they surely earned the audience’s appreciation and applause, which is an achievement beyond any recognition.
In the following week, classes returned to their normal schedule. As I resumed my class observations, I noticed how the teachers seamlessly transitioned back into their regular routines. There were many lessons that had been missed, so they made every effort to ensure everything would be covered before the quarter examinations. I truly appreciate their hard work and dedication to students’ learning despite the limited time. It is not easy, especially in our country’s educational system where taking a break is rarely an option. All of my reflections from the past few days were included in my Field Study Portfolio. I wanted to document each experiences meaningfully, knowing that it will serve as a valuable guide to be the teacher I aspire to become.
Unfortunately, due to the recent earthquake in Northern Cebu on September 30, 2025, all classes were suspended, and we were no longer able to continue our observations. However, my last day as an observer before the earthquake was quite memorable. It happened to be my birthday, and the Grade 8–Kasadya students thanked me for my assistance, sang me a birthday song, and gave me a cute flower with a heartfelt letter. I am truly grateful for everything and for all the experiences that shaped my journey throughout my field study, even in such a short period of time.
