Teacher on Vacation

We are on the verge of our vacation end and we quite feel sad as this would mean missing again old friends and family, missing the unique food and romantic and sacred places here. Since we arrived the portal of Zamboanga City, we simply enjoyed the good food, visited old friends and had family reunions.

And, I could only complain about the extra weights I am gaining since I have been eating my long – missed favorites. I wish to go back to my daily joggings and weekend taebo.

Losing weight is never easy; hear it straight from different weight loss stories but good thing though that there are now different effective weight loss alternatives other than physical exercise.

Well, come Monday, we shall be off to General Santos City again and back to our daily routines: business, blogs, family, and school.

Missing My Students but Wanting Vacation More

One week had past and though it is already a relief to do nothing but just enjoy the no - school days, I somehow missed my students and teaching.

But, come November 8, everyone in STI - Gensan, shall be up and running again as we officially start our second semester of classes. Then, I shall be with new students again but meeting old ones as I do my usual days.

I personally love second semester though because of holiday breaks and too many national and local holidays, so, second semester seems to come faster and shorter.

So, now that I have one more week left, I can only enjoy the rest and just anticipate the new semester with enthusiasm and vigor.

Blogger -Teacher as Tour Guide

Last October 29, Mindanao Bloggers Summit took off again but on the lands of historical Zamboanga City. And, since my family and I are in town for a week of vacation and family reunion, we were only excited to meet up old friends, family and SOCCSKSARGEN bloggers along with other bloggers in Mindanao.

Since, we are one of the locals, we were only happier to show off the city’s pride to other bloggers especially the SOCCSKSARGEN bloggers.

We traversed the city roads heading from the Summit’s assembly area to Paseo, the city’s waterfront strip of resto-bars and other commercial entities while enjoying cool breeze from the sea.

And, since they had to depart for home Sunday at 10 am, we were up and running already at 5am to bring them for a morning SATTI, a Muslim spicy and saucy barbeque with leaves – wrapped rice.
We had the chance to go to butterfly garden and had our pictures taken from the place and from century – old tree and its tree house.

Enforce Learning through Home Schooling

Different nations hold different policies when it comes to learning. In the Philippines, basic education must be provided by government and private institutions to early youngsters until graduate school. However, remote areas simply have no choice but to do home schooling to save on school fees, allowances and transportation costs.

But, home schooling is not just a replacement to professional education. In fact, it can be used to supplement learning from academic environment.

And, with internet and computer technology, it is now easier to make use of paid and free learning resources that we can all use through direct downloads or usb drives for full use.

Regardless of our medium to learn, home school or otherwise, the bottomline is simply for us to
enrich our skills and knowledge for brighter future and greater productivity.

How Do You Know You Pick the Right Course

Schooling is never easy; in fact, depending on your chosen course, it may take as short as six (6) months or as long as five (5) years. Worse, if you are a not – so – good school performer, you may end up completing your degree twice over.

Thus, it is very imperative that you pick the right course. But, how would you know that you shall love to pursue each day of your school classes? Needless to say, my practical advice is to just pursue your dream and you shall never get wrong. Well, economics may be too difficult on your choice, especially, if your chosen path poses no inviting or illuminating future. But, it will be more difficult and dragging to pursue a career out of force or pressure. While this pressure may be brought by parents or peers, I say, you lead your own life, so, regrets may not come abound.

But, it won’t hurt too to listen to the wisdom from your mentors ( most likely your parents and teachers) who know more your potentials.

Regardless of your choice, the bottomline for any degree is for you to have fun, to acquire skills and knowledge and to land a job and to be happy all about it. You can be quite lucky if you make a career out of your passion, then, each day can be an inspiration for you and for everyone else around you.

How to Make Enrolment Process Easy

It is second semester  already and as standard operating procedure among college schools, students have to go through enrolment process again. Our school, STI, shall officially start new semester’s class come November 8 which my kid and nephew  will also resume with their schooling.

But, how can students and/or parents can make their enrolment process easier and faster than usual. So, here are my basic tips:

1. If you are a new student, gather all your admission papers (e.g. report card/transcript of record, honorable dismissal and other requirements needed for new students);
2. Take note of the enrolment process of your admitting department. Normally, the school may have their flowchart of steps, take a copy of this to guide you through;
3. If you are an old student, take a hold of your  old semester’s grades and clearance as these will take time;
4. If picking of schedules are allowed, then, make a list already of these subjects and their corresponding schedules;
5. Pay needed fees to help you cut back on fee collections.
6. To make the process all fun, it will be less boring if you go through your enrolment procedure with buddies. 

When Personality Deters Your Employment Chances

In spite of looming economy, the number of cosmetic surgeries and other beauty alternatives and interventions continue to rise up since a good number of people have poor or inadequate personality,thereby, affecting their self confidence and skills.

Thus, when you experience inadequacy because you don't have the right communication or social skills, then, remedy it by acquiring short courses to address this concern. If you have health issues including untreated pimples,  chin acne   and other skin problems, then, seek the right treatment.

Your employment may be based on your academic qualifications and skills but when personality becomes a problem, then, have this resolved immediately because with stiff employment competition, you can't simply rely on luck, grades or experience.

Thank God Its Friday Madness

What can be more relieving than knowing it is Friday and that classes and work are over. So, it is party time folks.



Myspace Friday Graphics

Tips to Find the Best Job

I once wrote a similar article in my personal blog but since I have been sharing tips here about education  and alike, I am compelled to share my article as my blog content.

So, a brief list includes the following outline:

1. Consider your skills and knowledge. Finding a job basically starts from writing your resume and making through interviews. In as much as you want the best job, employers want the best persons too for the job. So, matching your skills with your potential job can be a start. A job which requires skills and experience way out of your league can only add a lot of pressures which can eventually make you unhappy and dissatisfied.
2. Consider pay and position. Depending on your skills, your position must be suited for these. And, with this position comes the corresponding compensation. So, if you think that your worth is well paid, then, go for it. 
3. Consider career growth. In an interview, you are normally asked what are your career directions or plans. You too can ask the career pathing for a given position. So, if you see that you like where your potential position be heading, then, go for the job but if you simply stagnation (which I doubt), then, career path can't be a potential issue. 
4. Consider working environment. You can ask for the number of turn - over and why employees leave. Possible reason can be unacceptable working environment, culture, and management.

To see my the complete article from my other blog, click here. 

How to Prepare for Your Interview

It is only typical that right after school, your next stop is to find a job. Earning a job is no easy feat but with the right job application materials and superb interview, I am pretty sure that you shall have a greater edge to any job you wish to apply for.

To find a job is to create an excellent resume that is founded on solid facts and relevant information appropriate for the position you are applying for. Your main goal when you submit your resume is to have the opportunity for an interview. And, if this happens, you are are one step nearer to claiming a position.

So, when the day of interview comes, you can follow these practical tips:

1. Have a copy of your application materials. Remember that application materials for each company must be unique. Thus, having your own copy will guide you as to what information you have shared and you can then be better prepared;
2. Research on the company's profile. If a company has a website or any printed information, read on these and evaluate how you can better contribute to the company; 
3. Come early. This will help you relax while waiting for your interview and allow you to observe their working environment.
4. Dress appropriately. First impression really matters, thus, wear only the most appropriate outfit for the interview. You don't want to distract your interviewer(s) with your flashy or sexy or disturbing outfit. 
5. Be confident. If you want the company to trust you, you have to trust yourself first. Thus, mind your mannerisms, hide your flaws like bulges, pimples or thinning hair since there are interventions like  best shampoo for thinning hair   that can somehow address your lapses.
6. Lastly, mind your responses. Avoid criticisms or sarcasms in your voice. Observe ethics in answering or asking questions. Knowing the prevailing culture of the company can also guide you better. Moreover,  when you are done with your interview, gladly thank your interviewer.

Semester Break Here

Finally, I am done with my clearance and that means I won’t be required anymore to report to school until second semester is up.

The thing is I am bored; I simply get used to chasing my time attending to my school papers, business papers, and blogs. So, now that I have all the time on my hand, I just have to arrange my schedule to both have fun and work.

And, come Tuesday, I shall be away for a week of vacation, then, I shall be having more fun with old friends.

When Failing Marks Sadden a Teacher’s Heart

I have been a student for longer years than average and not because of academic delinquency but simply because of passion for education. Earning high grades was easy but this was earned through hard work, long hours and strong discipline.

I might have had stricter days during the course of my teaching career but most of the time, I am simply patient, understandable and friendly. Gone were the days that I was overbearing and nasty, so, somehow the grades were made out of my students’ performance and my compassion. But, when students’ absences and low performance become too hard to bear, the grades are normally the first ones to be compromised. So, in spite of my desire to see my students learn and acquire character, it somehow saddens me that I still have to see students get failing marks. I am quite forsure that they are not stupid to pass the subject but rather too uninterested with their schooling.

So, I quite wish that students shall attend to their studies because I am pretty sure parents and their guardians are more saddened by delinquent performances.

Pursue the Right Education

Now that the new school semester is about to start, incoming students and parents can only be anxious or excited that they shall eventually pursue their dreams.

While some students are confident already with what collegiate or vocation education to pursue, others are still lost. Thus, I decided to include a list of promising career in the coming years. United States Labor Department presented a matrix of  growing occupations until 2018. To see the complete matrix, click the article page.

The growing occupations include the following but not limited to:

• biomedical careers
• network analysts
• physician assistants
• financial examiners
• home, personal aids
• medical scientists
• dental specialists
• veterinarians
• biochemists and biophysicists
• athletic trainers

We all want to get employed right after schooling, thus, when we are knowledgeable about industry demands and trends, or even other social and health issues and treatments  like  diet pills  , we are better prepared and assured that our efforts produce desirable effects and won't be vain.

While the economy seems bleak for some industries, there are  other markets that still pose promising opportunities.

Get Employed After (or Earlier) School

It is a natural course that individuals go through the hard toil of schooling for a decade or so, just to get the best training and education possible to make us all self - sustainable and reliant in the community we are in. Needless to say, we study, so, we can get work to earn a living.

But, the looming economy is not fully promising yet, so, with right education, skills and training, we can only be hopeful that we get a job.

So, to find a job is to be resourceful and search for companies that indeed need some extra personnel. You can start with your search on your local papers, school's human resource pooling department (normally, this is done by the Guidance Office), referrals from friends or loved ones, walk - in to companies for future hiring, and lastly, online directories for job placement.

But, if your search leads to no results, then, becoming a entrepreneur can be another option. Start your business on low capital but with unserved market. In this looming economy, we can only be creative.

College Joke: It Pays to Study

Here's another college humor I dug from unwind.com.

IT PAYS TO STUDY

After the college boy delivered the pizza to Bud's trailer house, Bud asked, "What is the usual tip?"

"Well," replied the youth, "this is my first trip here, but the other guys say if I get a quarter out of you, I'll be doing great."

"Is that so?" snorted Bud. "Well, just to show them how wrong they are, here's five dollars."

"Thanks," replied the youth, "I'll put this in my school fund."

"What are you studying?" asked Bud.

The lad smiled and said, "Applied psychology."

When School Requirements Pile Up

It is not unusual for teachers and students to do all their  final exams, requirements and clearances before their semestral grades can be made and released. And, when all these paper works begin to clutter, you can only wish that technology including internet and   document scanning services can somehow make your tasks easier.

Leading a teaching and schooling life is never easy but with systematized management, constant discipline and right assistance, any toil can be well served.

Now, that the first semester is over, we can only hope that grades are of favorable state and that the new  semester brings productive output.

When Students Remember You

After 13 years of college teaching, I can only enjoy, get pissed off, get drained and be fulfilled with. And, the hardest part is not really preparing for the lectures day and night, or checking papers or making grades regularly, or getting missy when students pour out their hearts for some good or sad news. I get all mushy when I see my students leave the school for good especially during graduation ceremonies.

Then, reality kicks in again whey I have to see them on the streets or wander around malls or in other public places and they still remember me and bid thank you for everything.

Although, I give my hardest in teaching them academically, I think it is the wisdom for life and friendship that matter most to all of us.

So, I only wish that my students, old or new, shall be able to hurdle through life with wisdom and compassion.

How to Submit Your Grades on Time

As a teacher, making grades is simply one of the time - consuming tasks a teacher can endure. Well, if you have a class of 40, making the term grades can be that easy especially if there is a software to use. However, if you have 5 -8 subjects or more, then, grades can indeed make a teacher's life a living hell. LOL!

So, is there really an easy way to submit the grades on time? Actually, there  is no ABRACADRA formula to this but with only simple strategy, and making grades can be less cumbersome.

So, the basic solution is to manage your free time; that is, check your quizzes, classroom activities and exams regularly. Don't wait for these papers to pile up. Further, record and compute these initial scores. If you use a spreadsheet software for your grades, a template can be maximized, so, formulas are in place and initial scores are updated.

With a little discipline in our work, these grades can just be hurdled through without breaking your wrists or someone else's neck. LOL!

Fit Teacher Here

Since it is school break, I decided to resume with my daily jogging and now that I don't have early classes as excuse to stay fit, I just have to sustain this daily exercise.

I have to however, contain my appetite for eating incessantly  and how I wish I can just take  appetite suppressant pill like   phentermine   to address my dilemma.  Of course I have to be conscious and vigilant of side effects of medications as my medium for intervention. Thus, finding a safe and fast solution can be quite heavenly.

But, why do teachers and everyone should stay fit? I can only think of one reason or two: staying healthy and staying fabulous.

So, with my two weeks of no classes, I can only keep up with my jogging habits.

Joke: When Blogger Chooses to Resign From Work

From a fellow blogger, Sheng, I found this funny  but almost true effect of blogging. Read on.

School Jokes Here

Since it is semestral break, I can only make use of the time to watch movies and read more. And, since I won't let this blog pass without my usual updates and writings, I wish to include this smart story of teacher - student.

Taken verbatim from lifeisajoke.com.

I'M TOO SMART

A first grade teacher was having trouble with one of her students. The teacher asked, "Johnny what is your problem?"

Johnny answered, "I'm too smart for the first grade. My sister is in the third grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should be in the third grade too!"

The teacher had had enough. She took Johnny to the principal's office.

While Johnny waited in the outer office, the teacher explained to the principal what the situation was.

The principal told the teacher he would give the boy a test and if he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go back to the first grade and behave. The teacher agreed.

Johnny was brought in and the conditions are explained to him and he agrees to take the test. Principal: "What is 3 x 3?" Johnny: "9".

Principal: "What is 6 x 6?" Johnny: "36". And so it went with every question the principal thought a third grader should know.

The principal looks at the teacher and tells her, "I think Johnny can go to the third grade."

The teacher says to the principal, "Let me ask him some questions" The principal and Johnny both agree.

The teacher asks, "What does a cow have four of that I have only two of?" Johnny, after a moment, "Legs."

Teacher: "What is in your pants that you have but I do not have?" The principal's eyes open really wide and before he could stop the answer, Johnny replied, "Pockets."

Teacher: "What does a dog do that a man steps into?" Johnny: "Pants"

Teacher: "What word starts with an 'F' and ends in 'K' that means a lot of excitement?" Johnny: "Firetruck"

The principal breathed a sigh of relief and told the teacher, "Put Johnny in the fifth grade, I missed the last four questions myself."

Teach Students Holistic Education

Ideally,  schools from different levels teach academic learnings but also enforce social and moral values that are relevant to present environment.

Just recently, the Department of Education announced the integration of sex education in basic schooling to further guide and protect the young ones from unwanted complications. Also, other secular schools promote values education for  more morally - conscious students.

But, apart from these basic essentials, some schools teach personality development including   best appetite suppressant   to boost self esteem.

We teach students holistic education, so, they become self reliant and independent when they leave the portals of their schools and we can only wish that they become better persons in the community.

Learn from Field Exposure

It is semestral break and while most students enjoy the short weeks of vacation, others are off to other cities or town for field trips or field exposures.

This holistic approach to education is only necessary and relevant since this will allow students to relate classroom instruction with reality. This shall further enforce the learning and shall make deeper impression among the students. Further, the exposure will enable them to see the outside world on their own and discover interesting insights.

My own sister shall leave for Maasim, Sarangani Province to have their 2 - day field exposure where they shall have strings of talks, resort visits, and eco adventure. She sure is excited with her field trip and we can only hope that the trip indeed brings forth commendable and distinct learnings.

How to Prepare for Project or Thesis Panel Defense

It is quite typical for computer system project to go through project defense, and normally, the defense is done with more than one panelist. But, how can you actually be ready for the big day and not exactly blow your months of hard toil?

Basically, project or even thesis defenses are pre - scheduled, and with these set deadlines, it is only very imperative that you have your project well researched, made, and studied. Your project or thesis defense can be well supported if you have the best advisor or mentor to guide you. It is also imperative that before you go to laborious extent of your project, this must be duly accepted and recognized by the institution, otherwise, your defense is bound to doom.

A thesis or project defense is based on your factual research, and, if this is actually what is supposed to be, your defense shall go smoothly without much fuss.

More importantly, make sure that you have your conviction on your study and its findings, and you can effectively communicate this to your panelists.

Your assessment then, is solely made from your research project and your actual defense. Thus, you can only do better than  get lost or sidetracked.

How to Improve Your Personality

It can make anyone envy to see women and men ooze with confidence that can practically make anyone believe that they are witty and charming above all.

But, confidence is a personal conviction about oneself. Thus, if you think low of yourself, this perception is also manifested in your actions and words like you fidget or  stutter.

Is there really  a way to boost confidence and eventually your personality? You bet, there is. But, these tips can boil down to improving your impression about yourself and you can only do this, if you are well - read and well - experienced on various topics or stuffs. Reading different sorts can actually make you more adept with people who have different interests and liking. Although, listening can have its safer perks, contributing or collaborating can actually be better.

Further, you can downside your confidence if you are  over weight. You can however remedy this through regular exercise,  weight loss diet   and other alternatives including cosmetic surgery.

You too can take short courses on improving your language and communication skills. Sometimes, knowing that your grammar or pronunciation isn't good can actually hamper your self esteem.

Wearing the appropriate fit for the occasion can also help. Thus, just like any battle, you can sweep off your opponent, if you have the right armor. And, taking proactive actions is always the smartest defense.

Final Exams Are Finally Over

The students of STI are simply rejoicing as their final exams have officially concluded today. Well, I can’t exclude the overbearing relief of most teachers as we enjoy our few weeks of vacation.

My sister alone has to join in a local party to celebrate the school break and while I am tempted to hit that party road, I simply decided to savor my free time watching movie series. LOL!

The kids at home simply enjoy playing with their PSP and watching their cartoon shows. Geez! Although I shall quite my students, I am only happier that the break has finally come. Yepey!

How to Make Your Semestral Break Productive

Today is the last day of final examination and everyone at school is simply enthusiastic that the semester if finally over. I for one, can only be relieved that my daily chores of teaching shall take a two – week halt.

But, while for the new semester to come, students and personnel can only take the time to get recharged for the new semester. But, what can be the tasks to do make the short vacation more worthwhile.

Well, I have made my short list as follows:

• Help with the daily chores at home;
• Tutor your younger siblings;
• Look for parttime job until classes start (or go fulltime if you can);
• Join friends or loved ones for a trip;
• Learn a new skill (e.g. driving, programming, singing, and others);
• Read new books;
• Wander around local parks, malls, beaches

Where to Find Employment for New Graduates

It has been a chronic concern every after graduation  that newly graduates shall fend for themselves to look for a job and while economy remains bleak, chances of employment may be stiff but not at all impossible. With the right skills and education from formal trainings, it is not impossible to find a job and get employed.

But, where do we exactly search for job placement? Normally, when graduation is just around the corner, it is wiser that graduates send their applications to companies who are hiring and with  a note on your application that soon you will graduate but shows interest in the company, there is a chance  that you can be consider for short listing.

Further, checking your school's guidance office or similar department which pools job announcements can be a wise start too. Of course, we cant exclude the print media for our search and the wide berth of online community. More importantly, ask for referrals from friends, acquaintances and family members. Also, it wont hurt you if you simply give your job materials to any company of your interest for future hiring.

But, while waiting for a job, you can make your time worthwhile; you can do business by re-selling gadgets, books,  lingerie  , services and alike.

Employment may mean getting employed or self - employed, either way, your main goal is to put your skills and education to action.  

Why Philippine Education Fails

If I remember it well, the new DEPED secretary announced right after his appointment that additional 2 years shall be imposed on basic education summing it up as follows:

• Kindergarten - 1 to 2 years
• Elementary Education - 6 years
• Junior High School - 4 years
• Senior High School - 2 years

While the intentions of pursuing quality graduates are noble, the criterion of simply relying on the numbers is simply all wrong. Quality education is not just achieved by greater or longer number but must be complemented with quality instructions, competent and good teacher - student ratio, facilities like classroom and laboratories, resources like books and multimedia tools, and assistance to the poorest and underprivileged. All these affect the quality of Philippine education and the extension will superficially contribute something.

Pity though that while basic education is almost free, 3-4 out of 10 students drop out because of financial constraints forcing the young ones to do hard labor or delinquent activities. Adding the numbers only worsens the condition. Thus, before this 2 - year increment be enforced, I highly believe that the government must holistically look at the reasons why education fails.

Final Exams Are Up

Next week shall be the last week for first semester and  the next two weeks shall be vacation time for everyone. I just  have to finish the remaining topics left for the final quarter, then, I can start working on the grades.

All are practically busy as they comply their requirements, projects, and clearances before finals and we can't simply wait to have all things done and completed. Some may simply go back to their provincial homes while others can just savor the sem break wandering around malls and hitting recreational spots.

As for me, I can only work on the store's website and its Point - of - Sales system. Geez! What a cool vacation awaits me. LOL!