AUG 15
O.B. Montessori Center is upbeat for the new academic year and to welcome the students back on campus. The school spent the entire summer preparing its environment and training the new teachers.
Getting to Know Montessori and the Child
The annual summer Teachers Training had two phases: Theoretical and Practical Training.
The Theoretical Training was conducted online from June 26 to July 7, 2023. The new teachers learned about Dr. Maria Montessori’s life, as well as her work and philosophy of education. Then they spent the rest of July going through Practical Training and curriculum development.
Immersing in the Montessori Method
Mentored by their senior counterparts during the Practical Training last July 10 to 21, 2023, the new teachers were immersed in the Montessori method regardless of their level and subject assignments. They went through the lessons and engaged with the materials from Casa to Grade School.
This encounter with the Montessori materials helped the the teachers to see and realize the continuum embedded in the curriculum designed by Dr. Montessori, which met the learning competencies of children at every stage of their development.
Staying Curious with Literary Writer Butch Dalisay
To gain perspective and inspiration, the teachers and the administrative staff listened to UP Professor Emeritus Jose “Butch” Dalisay, who shared his wisdom using his 12-point life lessons on July 5, 2023, at the OBMC Greenhills Campus. Dalisay encouraged his audience to let their students stay curious inside and outside the classroom.
His words served as a reminder that teaching is not merely relaying the lessons and giving tests every quarter. Instead, it is about becoming lifelong learners by engaging with life, collaborating with others, and having values so students are enriched as they construct their personalities in preparation for their future.
Keeping an Open and Progressive Mindset with Director Floy Quintos
Living up to “teaching is performing,” director-playwright Floy Quintos conducted workshops last July 10, 2023.
Director Floy talked about how the different roles of a teacher must combine to represent a progressive pedagogy: teacher as a hero, a public speaker, a Gen Z-er, a content creator, and a friend.
He also had a series of meetings with department heads and coordinators to plan for the activities of the new academic year, such as the Buwan ng Wika, Poetry & Public Speaking Festival, and Cinesophia.
It was in 2020 when the school sought the creative mind and technical expertise of Director Floy as a consultant for the improvement of the school’s instructional materials.
Strengthening Ethical and Moral Responsibility with Atty. Ulpiano Sarmiento
To learn about the Code of Ethics for Professional Teachers, the OBMC faculty and staff listened to Atty. Ulpiano “Ulan” P. Sarmiento III on August 8, 2023.
Atty. Sarmiento, the Dean of the San Beda College Alabang School of Law, is OBMC’s legal expert and a former parent.
He discussed the three responsibilities of teachers: To be at their best at all times since they are preparing the students for their future; To model such virtues as integrity, respect, industry, responsibility, discipline, and others before the entire OBMC community; To protect and care for, as second parents, the children entrusted into their care.
With all these preparations, the OBMC teachers and administrative personnel can now look forward with great confidence to Academic Year 2023–2024. It promises to be an exhilarating journey toward becoming!
To know more about the teacher’s summer training, click here.
