By Sheila L. Dingcong, STA Batch 1989

Batch 85/89, this year's silver jubilarians, sponsored a teacher training workshop last May 29 and 30 for all faculty members of St. Theresita's Academy (STA). The workshop was aptly called “Education in the 21st Century: Framework, Competencies & Tools.”

STA alumna and Batch 89 member Sheila Dingcong facilitated the free workshop. Ms. Dingcong brought with her years of experience as an educator. She currently works as a part-time college instructor and e-learning professional in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, the STA staff and faculty who participated in the workshop were led by Principal Mary Chris Joan D. Corral and its school registrar Celia Marie Jalandoni.

The workshop highlighted the changing landscape of education and the implications of teaching in the 21st century. Ms. Dingcong also shared with the participants the various teaching strategies for the digital learners. She also stressed the value of research in teaching and learning during the two-day workshop.

In addition, STA's faculty and staff learned tips on classroom management and academic professionalism. These tips are ideal strategies to transform learning spaces into student-centered growth platforms.

Facilitation strategies included slide and Prezi lectures, demonstrations, participant activities, hands-on exercises for digital tools, and sessions on how to provide feedbacks. The teachers brought their digital tools (laptops, digital cameras, tablets, smartphones, etc.) to the workshop.

They used these tools to record local knowledge subject matter content and simulations of teaching strategy demonstrations.

With this development, STA's school administration, headed by its directress, Sr. Natividad Maravilla, SSJ, was very grateful to the Jubilarians for this free training on faculty development. Sr. Naty, as she is fondly called by staff, parents and students alike, said she looks forward to the grand alumni homecoming in October 2014.

She noted that the homecoming celebration in October is an opportunity to see most, if not all, of the members of batch 85/89 when they come home to visit their alma mater, STA.