American teachers goes on an Intramuros tour, meets Carlos Celdran

American teachers sent to the Philippines this month were taken to different historical and cultural sites in Metro Manila as part of the Civic Voices: An International Democracy Memory Bank Project.

They also got a taste of Philippine history from the infamous Carlos Celdran.

A tour guide, cultural activist and performing artist in one, Celdran is known for his unique and entertaining way of teaching Philippine history. The American teachers cherished the experience of being part of his Intramuros Walking Tour and remarked that they will integrate some of the lessons in their classes back in the United States.

American teachers observe, conduct classes in Occidental Mindoro as part of the Civic Voices Project

On March 14, 2012, representatives from the American Federation of Teachers visited public schools in Occidental Mindoro which include San Jose National High School, Pedro T. Mendiola Sr. Memorial National High School, and San Jose National Agricultural and Industrial School to conduct Araling Panlipunan class observations and class presentations.

The visit was organized as part of the Civic Voices: International Democracy Memory Bank Project which is being implemented by PSLINK in partnership with the American Federation of Teachers in the Philippines.

Students actively participated during the class sessions conducted by the American teachers. It was for them a unique and incredible experience to have a foreign teacher handle a social studies class and talk about what it means to be an active citizen.

They also appreciated how the American teachers were able to relate civic engagement with Filipino national hero Jose Rizal.

We would like to thank the support of BESTFED-PSLINK union affiliates in the schools visited for their key role in ensuring that the school visit would be a success. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

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Civic Voices goes to Biñan, Laguna!

Three representatives from the American Federation of Teachers visited Biñan National High School (BNHS), conducted Aralin Panlipunan class observations, and facilitated classroom sessions on civic engagement as part of exchange program under the Civic Voices project.

Held on March 13, 2012, the visit was capped off with a showcase event to promote the gains of the project which was attended by schools heads, teachers, parents, students, media, and democracy activists. Video interviews conducted by students from BNHS were screened during the event impressing all those who were present especially their parents.

We would like to thank Sis. Violeta Fernandez, Vice President of BESTFED, for making the event possible and for her tremendous support to the project. Mabuhay kayo Ma’am Violy!

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American teachers visit schools in Visayas and Mindanao

Representatives of the American Federation of Teachers visited participating schools in Pagadian and Tacloban this month to promote the Civic Voices project, observe Aralin Panlipunan classes, and conduct class lectures about civic engagement.

They also got to interact with the teachers’ unions about the state of education and labor in the Philippines.

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The AFT reps were more than pleased about the hospitality of Filipinos. In Zamboanga del Sur National High School for instance, the multi-awarded cultural dance group of students performed various Filipino dances much to the delight of the American visitors. In Cirilo Roy Montejo National High School, Tacloban, the school head handed over certificates of appreciation to the AFT reps for the valuable support of the latter to their school.

Teachers and students really appreciated the school visits particularly the class lectures of the American teachers as it was a unique experience for them.

Civic Voices National Writing Seminar held in Tacloban City

A National Writing Seminar was held in Tacloban City on June 27-29, 2011 among the core teachers who have actively and successfully implemented Civic Voices in their classes/schools.

The teachers came from various schools all over the Philippines.

The said seminar served as a venue for the teachers to share their ideas, experiences and best practices. Lesson plans were developed by the seminar participants integrating Civic Voices. These lesson plans were also made taking into consideration the recent shift in the Aralin Panlipunan curriculum to the Understanding By Design (UBD) approach.

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