Sunday, November 30, 2008

My First Day in Educ Psych

It rained that day, Not as heavy as it usually does every afternoon. But it rained enough to wet my pants and my socks and my newly-bought uniform shoes. Rhea, Jett and I even had to take two tricycles bound to Aurora Boulevard because we couldn’t fit in one or else the backrider would have been drenched by the time we get to the terminal.
Add to such discomfort was the fact that we also had to cramp ourselves to an alreay crampped jeepney. I was all-sweat, uncomfortable, barely-seated, my feet wet and my legs were aching – all because we were trying to catch our 5:30 class. Yes. A teacher rushing to and most likely being late for his first class as a student.
Indeed, November 11 marked my first day as a CPE (Certificate Program in Education) at the Marikina Polytechnic College. I enrolled three subjects this semester and the first on my schedule is EDUC 202: Educational Psychology under the amiable Professor Elizabelita B. Atienza. Although we had a hard time looking for our classroom, we easily warmed up the moment we entered the brightly-lit room and met the very pleasant teacher.
Professor Atienza introduced herself and it amazed me how accomplished she was at such a young age. I believe it’s her determination to achieve her goals which drove her to be one of the best academicians in this institution. After introducing herself, she asked the class to introduce themselves individually. Most of my classmates are already working and they are taking education units because they feel that their education lies in teaching. And in order to stay as a teacher, one has to be licensed. So this makes me no different from the rest of the class. I also need to take the licensure exams and hopefully pass it in order to stay as a teacher because teaching, I believe, is my calling.
Prof. Aienza assigned us to our groups and gave us our respective topics for our presentation. I was given a copy of the syllabus for safekeeping and reproduction. The teacher also explained to us her grading system and what she expects from her students.
The most important part of the period, however, was when we were asked to form our groups and answer and explain the riddle: I am the longest and the shortest, the fastest and slowest. I am the thing that most people waste the most, yet they need me more than anything else. What am I? My answer to the riddle which the group unanimously acceeded to be presented to the class was the following:
Time. Our group feels that time tends to be very long and dragging if it is spent idly and wastefully on matters unimportant. But it tends to become very fast-paced and shortest if spent on more worthwhile pursuits. Man unfortunately, wastes time and life as well. Especially when he is still in search of a purpose. And most of the time, realization creeps too late when he suddenly feels that he should be doing something which he truly enjoys and loves.
Generally, the class was very nice and accomodating. The teacher is also encouraging her students to participate in class discussions and commends their responses to her questions. I am hoping that this positive impression of the class will continue throughout the school year. Besides, first impressions last.