Filipino teachers go to United States for Civic Voices exchange program

Three Filipino teachers affiliated with BESTFED and PSLINK and who actively and successfully met the requirements of the Civic Voices Project were sent to the United States from May 5-14, 2012 as a participant in a U.S. Exchange Program.

These fortunate teachers were Ann Mae Sabado (Zamboanga del Sur), Joe Paz (Occidental Mindoro), and Leoncio Catolos (Rizal). The three passed the rigorous selection process and exhibited extraordinary dedication to the goals of the project, their students and preserving the histories of their communities.

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The program brought together teachers from at least eight nations for a rich and collaborative program of conference sessions, seminars and site visits. The major highlight of the program was the Civic Voices Global Showcase held in the U.S. Institute of Peace based in Washington, DC.  This event was attended by the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan himself and American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, both of whom showed their utmost appreciation of and support for the project.

Aside from participating in the project’s showcase event, the teachers also visited Birmingham, Alabama, particularly the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute where they were trained at the various ways in which the history of the US civil rights movement are being used by American civics teachers.

The Filipino teachers were also provided an opportunity to observe classes in a New York City public school and facilitate learning sessions on EDSA People Power with American students.

Overall it was a really amazing, unforgettable experience for the teachers. They are expected to apply the knowledge and skills they gained from the program in their civics instruction in their schools/communities and ensure the sustainability of the gains of the Civic Voices project in the Philippines. All three have also committed to help PSLINK and BESTFED in their organizing and advocacy efforts in the education sector.

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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Historical and cultural tour of American teachers in Visayas

One of the important components of the Civic Voices: An International Democracy Memory Bank Project is the exchange visit where American teachers visit the Philippines for a 10-day program consisting of historical/cultural site visits, public school immersion, and meetings with program partners.

Last July 2011, the chosen American representatives were taken to historical landmarks such as the MacArthur Landing Memorial. They were also taken to see the beautiful caves in Leyte and were exposed to the “videoke” culture of the Filipinos.

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