Jousemarie Santos Yang

2014066605

I believe that music takes a bigger role in this world more than anyone else could’ve

imagined. For me, music is like the vibrant color in each painting, the spices in each dishes, and

the spark in each life. Without music, the world is dull. It’s just noise and chaos. Music also

takes part in symmetry and math. For example, in order for a person to perform beautifully, he or

she had to practice multiple times to achieve excellence in performing certain piece. And within

those practices he or she had done, following the right tempo, dynamics etc, symmetry and math

comes in. Music is broad. It encapsulates numerous categories and it is very hard to master. But

why do I teach music?

First, of course I am a student taking up Music Education. Second, I teach music because

nowadays, the number of teachers teaching music was diminishing. And while this is happening,

the appreciation of music also decreases which means, the world may be becoming duller. The

quality of music that is now produced, it is becoming more of a priority on money. Third, I teach

music because music is my passion and I love teaching. For some people, teaching is just a job.

But for me, I think people should not think that because every word the teacher say, it may help

or it may destroy his or her students’ future.

Based on my short teaching experiences, music is one of the most important subjects to

learn. In school, students tend to feel tired when all of their subjects were concentrated on taking

down notes and discussion but when the music comes in that’s when the students will have their

chance to enjoy and to ease their tiredness. But it is not just pure enjoyment but it also teaches

discipline, the importance of the lesson and on how the students may relate the lesson in real life.
I remember one of my students told me, “nawawalan na kami ng gana ‘cher” when I asked them

why do they looked so tired.

I taught Grade 3 and whenever children would see me outside their room, they’ll get

excited and their faces would light up. I think they view Music as exciting and full of life. As a

student teacher, I tried my best for the students to enjoy Music as a whole and not just focus on

singing. Every meeting, I tried my best to be memorable to them and to explore outside the box.

The students were trained to follow specific rules inside the classroom but when it comes to

Music, you’ll have to break it all but not in a bad way. My students tend to know this because

they’re all more relaxed and comfortable whenever we have class.

We were assigned to practice teaching at Pedro Guevarra Elementary School located near

Binondo, Church and Jose Abad Santos General Hospital. This elementary is probably the

biggest public elementary school within Manila encompassing almost 6,000 students. It has 2

covered courts, a library, a museum, and a canteen.

I still remember the very first time we went to Pedro Guevarra Elementary School. The

atmosphere surrounding our team was the combination of excitement and fear of what’s coming.

We were the only group or team that composes of seven members and the only one whose

Ma’am Dolly, our adviser, went with. From UST, we rode a jeepney to Quiapo and walked from

there to Sta. Cruz Church Manila. The surroundings, as I observed were different compare to

what I usually see. From Sta. Cruz Church, we rode another jeepney to San Nicolas and got

down near Jose Abad Santos General Hospital. My first impression of the school was very

welcoming and friendly. The Guidance counselor welcomed us with a bright smile. Oh, I

remember the moment when we had to sit with our adviser and the guidance counselor in which
they discussed some things regarding our practicum. Then after some formalities, we went

directly to the faculty room where we met the Principal and our wonderful Master Teachers of

Music naming Ma’am Padillo and Ma’am Salvania! Despite of the years without them meeting,

the moment they met, they were still kumares. And one funny thing we noticed about them was

their height similarities. It made them looked so cute! They were very excited to have students of

Music from the University of Santo Tomas to practice with them and welcome us and even

encouraged us! After some keeping up with each other, Ma’am Dolly left us with them and we

started meeting and dividing on who’s going to teach in Grade 1, 3 and 6. Well, in the end,

because of my height I was assigned to teach Grade 3 with Kristia every Wednesday. The 2

boys, Aaron and Kenneth together with Kiela were assigned to teach Grade 6 every Monday.

Lovylle and Precious were assigned to teach the Grade 1 every Tuesdays.

First, we observe the children the atmosphere and the classroom where we’ll going to

teach. Our 2 master teachers, taught first and we observed. The observation was for us to get

some on how to approach the children.

I think that was our first day in Pedro Guevarra. The children were very shy because of

us! And I remember some students saying “Ang tangkad ni Kuya” Referring to Aaron because

he was tall. They were shy but they still respect us. The classroom was well designed for the

students/ learners and they were clean. The other teachers too were friendly! I was just too

nervous and shy most of the times to make eye-contact with them. There were times when we

were on our break, the head of the Library would invite us in and we would chat. It was a fun

experience knowing the history of the school through storytelling. Other days when the Museum

was open, the head of it would also invite us in and tour us.
 On our first two weeks, we observed how our master teachers teach their Grade 6

students. We observed 5 classes and within these weeks, we have adjusted to the environment.

After two weeks, Kiela, Aaron and Kenneth started teaching and we were there to cheer them. It

was exciting for us to finally witness the three of them teaching children. I’m sure through my

other team mates’ reflections, you would know more about their experiences. At the end of the

day, it was fulfilling, exhausting and surprising experience for them but their faces said it all:

they were happy.

When my first day was coming up I had so many questions on my mind. The day before

my actual teaching, I was over thinking a lot. I was thinking what should I do first when I enter

the classroom or how should I introduce myself. My major concern that time was how should I

introduce myself and introduce Music to the students in an entertaining yet memorable way.

Should I be strict? How would I move? What if the children won’t like me? What if the children

won’t listen to me? My mind went like that. I was scared and excited at the same time. It was

very hard for me because I almost lived my whole life with low self-esteem.

On my first day of actual teaching, my class starts at 5:50AM so I had to be there around

5:30 in the morning and I had to wake up at 4 in the morning. I remember thinking at last minute,

“Should I make an excuse for me not to attend my first class?” but the other half of my brain

kicked me to move and face my fear. I left my dorm around 5:15 in the morning and arrived

around 5:40. I was a bit relieved because when I arrived the school’s having their flag ceremony.

I started around 6AM already.

 I have many memorable and unforgettable moments within my stay at the school but I’d

just cite my two most memorable moments.

The first one was the celebration of Teachers’ Day. We were invited by our master

teachers to perform a medley but we were given a choice to what to perform and because we’re

musicians, singing and playing an instrument was our first option. Our leader, Aaron, arranged a

medley with four songs: Lean on Me, True Colors, Despacito and Baby Shark. The program

started around 8 in the morning. We had to bring our own instruments that time and I remember

holding the 88 keys piano keyboard. It was so heavy for me! Haha! Every grade school level

performed one number for everyone. Many danced, some sang and some surprised us. I

remember Sir Kim, one of our cooperating teacher, danced in front of hundreds of students to

guide his students at the stage. He danced with so much confidence and gracefulness. I admired

him! And then after performances more, we were called. This was our setup: Me, Kristia and

Lovylle were the singers. Kenneth with the piano, Aaron with his guitar, Precious with her Flute

and Kiela with her violin. I still remember how we panicked, got nervous and laughed during the

performance. I remember standing on the stage, hundreds of people looking up to you, watching

you and you’re with your team performing. It was a warm and lovely feeling to be able to do

what you love. The most fun part with our performance was when we came to the part where

we’ll sing Despacito. The first few words, they knew already that it was Despacito. They also

know the Spanish part! It was so fun to see children enjoying our performance. And when we

came to Baby Shark, I actually can’t remember asking the students to dance with us. But my

other team mates said I did ask the students. I can’t remember maybe because I panicked or I

was just enjoying too much. But anyways, almost all the students stood up and danced with us. It

felt like we were on a concert. The moments were gold! After our performance we were all
amazed and we were all laughing. We also performed the same medley for the afternoon classes.

This time, we were all more relaxed and focused but at the same time, we still enjoyed the

performance! I’d never forget the day to see that every teacher and students enjoyed every

moment that day.

The second unforgettable memory for me was my Final demo teaching. I remember

all the hardships I went through to reach the stage where I was confident with myself. Our final

demonstration was held on November 23, 2017 and we were required to follow certain criteria. It

was a bit hard for us because the exams and activities were coming up altogether. We were given

2 weeks to prepare our students for the final demonstration and we had to really prepare the

students. It was fun and frustrating at the same time because sometimes your students were just

really energetic and you only have this little amount of patience because you’re thinking of

things for the preparation. Within those 2 weeks, we mastered the songs we’ll going to use and

the routines. I added a little bit of fun where I decided to create my own routine clap.

Fast forward to the day where I taught. I was second to present and my final demo felt like I was

performing for my graduation recital. I was very nervous. But in the end, I succeeded.

I decided to put all of my energy and to make use of my humor in my demonstration.

And most importantly, I put my trust to my students. As I said earlier, I did not pressured my

students to be like someone else to impress others. I knew they were all special.

During my demonstration, I didn’t know exactly what was happening around me and my

mind was in the air. It’s as if someone’s controlling my body. My main goal during my

demonstration was to make myself and my students memorable and to show them how special
they are. I was very glad in the end because they enjoyed watching my demonstration and

thankfully our adviser liked my demonstration. I was very thankful to everything. Because of too

much happiness m, I don’t mind hugging any tree that day. I was so happy that my final

demonstration went well! I would also never forget every word Ma’am Dolly told me our

demonstration. I will treasure it forever.

Now before I end my storytelling, I would like to say some words to anyone who’d

like to be a teacher or in the process of being a teacher. These are from my heart and I would like

to share what I really learn during my teaching experience.

First, don’t give up. I had those moments, countless moments, where I wanted to run from

everything because I was too tired and I felt lost. Don’t give up because you are not alone.

You’re not the only one who’s having a hard time. It’s normal because we are human. We feel

and we think so much. Second, never doubt yourself or always believe in yourself. When you

work hard for something that you want to achieve, the output would always be worth it. Never

doubt yourself that you can’t do this, these, that or those things. You only think that but actually

you are more capable of so much more. I doubted myself that I couldn’t teach children because I

was shy and my voice is limited and I can’t imagine myself teaching but through this experience,

I’ve learn to believe of what my capabilities are. That I actually CAN do things! Third, always

think positive. It is important to always visualize your output in a positive way because when

you put your mind to being positive, you’ll actually do it positively. Unlike when you always

think negatively, the things became negative. Fourth, never forget the reason why we teach. Or

how we can affect one student’s life with what we teach. Of course, there will come a time when

you’re too tired and frustrated that you teach because it’s your job. Many teachers forgot how
important teaching is. We teach because we want to shape our students’ future. We teach

because we want our students to become a good person and citizen. Nowadays, some teach

because they needed tha money. Lastly, always love your students. Love is a four letter word but

there are thousands of words to describe what or how love is. I learned during my practicum that

if your student’s acting weird, he or she probably just want attention. Whenever this happens, I

talk to my student. I’ll ask him or her what’s wrong? And then tomorrow, he’ll behave and will

respect you. The students especially, the young ones, it is very crucial to create a good

environment for them because during their younger years, the environment they’re in would

affect how they grow up. Always love your students.