Tenacious Teachers

What challenges are you facing during this pandemic?

Growing up, we were first guided by our parents to help us learn life lessons. And, as we grow up, the responsibility of imparting knowledge and wisdom shifts at the palms of our educators.

Witnessing how they changed lives has been the epitome of great success for the learners. Instead of them choosing your path, they direct you to it, help you through obstacles, and mold you to become the individual you are ought to be.

As the pandemic ravaged education, these tenacious teachers strive to do their best, to reach out their services, to provide what they can, and to impart knowledge despite the limitations driven by the situation. But these mighty beings are also human, they experience plenty of emotions and faced challenges trying to adjust and be the best educator they can be.

Hence as we celebrate Teachers Day, The Quill asked a few members from the faculty of the different college departments to take part in this Pulse survey.

May their insights, experiences, and challenges give you a glimpse of the reality of teaching during this pandemic as they answer the question: What challenges are you facing this pandemic?

During the first few months of the pandemic, I really find it hard adjusting to the new normal since I am not a techy type of person.

I was having difficulty using those applications related to school including Google Forms and Google Meet, but after one semester of RAD learning and virtual classes, I managed and figure all of it little by little.

It’s really hard to discuss, especially on the practical side, because I can’t emphasize it in front of the camera knowing that only a portion of your body will be recorded.

Unstable internet connection may sometimes also be a cause of delay so you really have to be patient in everything esp with students who live in the province.

But regardless of that, I also managed to be resilient and be more understanding because all of us are facing a lot of challenges and I think it’s also one of the ways on how we can help each other to survive acads.

Juvi G. Alicabo, PTRP (College of Rehabilitative Sciences)

Since our school is offering the modular approach, I encountered students that are living abroad with different time zones and so I adjust the deadlines and give special exams even if it is already past the working hours.

Signal and internet problems are a hindrance not only to the students but as well as to me.

I can even remember one time when I had to travel from Cebu City to Talisay City and stay with my cousin just so I can secure a stable internet connection because there was a scheduled power interruption.

My personal number and Facebook account were made available 24/7 so that my students can freely contact me if they encounter problems during an exam or if they wanted to clarify some topics.

Some of my students were also working and so I would wait until the end of their shift just so they can take their exams even if it means that I had to give up a good night sleep. I had students who almost gave up because their internet signal is so bad and were not able to pass their answers on time and so I do special arrangements that will be more convenient for them.

Some students would send me messages about the struggles that they are facing and I try to lend my ears and time but sometimes, 24 hours is just not enough to manage all of these.

The academic field during the pandemic is hard and there are times when I just feel drained, exhausted, and frustrated because I knew that even if I tried to give my all, it wouldn’t still be enough.

I feel sorry for my students because this setup is already hard for me but it is much harder for them. I just hope that the pandemic will be over soon and so we can both give more and be more.

Rose Hannilhyn G. Rollon, RPh (College of Pharmacy)

Productivity was hard for me when the pandemic began.

There’s this problem with an internet connection, and a constant search for a good and quiet place to facilitate the classes.

But all of these were just minors compared to what was going on inside me.

Honestly, I was anxious, worried, and sad about what was going on around me. But one of the situations that changed all the negativities was when I met with my students online for the first time in what seemed to be a very long time.

I realized how I missed being inside the four walls of the classroom interacting and exchanging learning insights with them, and whisking away my marker on the whiteboard forgetting that I have a PowerPoint presentation.

Fast forward to today as we celebrate “World Teachers’ Day” I would like to say “thank you” to my students.

If you think that you’ve lost all meaning in life, I want you to know that your existence matter to your teachers. I want you to know that you inspire me to do my best every day at teaching. I am rooting for all of you!

Rolaine Ann Añoza-Polo, RMT, MPH (College of Medical Technology)

Maintaining a healthy body and sound mind.

Jaymund Salaritan, LPT (College of Arts and Sciences)

As a teacher, the challenge I face during this time of pandemic is understanding and addressing my students’ learning skills and abilities. Internet connection is also no exception, but the biggest challenge is assessing learning to check or know if students are really learning or not.

Adrian Ebesa, MA Social Psych (College of Arts and Sciences)