School Visits (Day 4)

School Visits (Day 4)

by Rey Laguda

(This is the DepEd USec Rey Laguda's Day 4 of 50-day journey being serialized here with his permission, culled from his Facebook account. - Blogger/owner)

From Day One, Br. Armin Luistro, FSC has always instructed the whole executive team to visit schools. In fact, we visited a school on our first day at DepEd. We went to Rafael Palma Elementary School after spending some time at the Central Office. I remember going to the principals's office on one of the higher floors while Br. Armin started to go around and observe classes. Nobody really knew us then. I entered the office and waited for my turn since they seemed to be having a meeting. When I was finally asked, I said Br. Armin was downstairs observing class. They all rushed out and left me all alone in the office. On the same visit, a SPED teacher proudly declared to Br. that she was a graduate of DLSU and that she was really elated that Br. took on the role of Secretary. It was a teary-eyed moment that remains vivid to this day.

DepEd Secretary Luistro's school visit

Going Back to My First School Teaching Assignment

After 21 years, I have the opportunity to go back to my first school teaching assignment in Caiñaman Elementary School not as a teacher nor a school principal, but as a chief examiner of the first Division Unified Test for the Grades 2 to 6 pupils of the said school. This is something to reckon with, something to value and something to share it.

The gate of my first school

I couldn't control myself from shedding a tear upon entering the gate of Caiñaman Elementary School, Division of La Carlota City when I conducted the first division unified test there together with my present teachers in Cubay Elem. School.

CES was my first school assignment as a classroom teacher in 1991. I was a relief teacher, handling Grade 5 and Grade 6 subjects like English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Elementary Agriculture, Industrial Arts, P.E., Music, and Arts. I was also assigned as a property custodian, Boy Scout coordinator and Non-Formal Education coordinator of the school.

I was teaching there for 7 years and later was transferred to central school, La Carlota South Elementary School 1 for 2 years until I was promoted to head teacher 3 and finally principal 1.