"Like a virgin, touched for the very first time!"
No, it wasn't Madonna's talking, it's me Teacher Rod! 😅
Yes, it's official! I am now teaching "Holistic English Proficiency Program" H. E. P. pro. at Lee's English Center in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.
But of course, this is a work from home (WFH) job, where I will be working as a part-time teacher which started on Monday, June 14, 2021.
I had my teaching demo Tuesday, June 8, 2021, with Ms. Angelyn Hilario, Manager for Lee's English Center.
Where I remember, I had to sing to clearly introduced the teaching approach I will do if ever my application will push through with the center.
While, I had an interview with Ms. Mavic Lee, Lee's English Center-Director Monday, May 31, 2021.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR LEE?
I had to embrace once more the long hours spent for preparing a lesson. The easy part is, I do not need to gather the information anymore for we are following a complete session shared via google documents.
Literally, the load of work is how you are going to present it to your students in two ways; they're having fun but most importantly they were learning from you.
I had a teaching experience in two different colleges and schools. Roosevelt College System in Cainta, Rizal in 2009 until 2010.
And went back again to the world of teaching in ELJ Center for Media Arts Senior High School in June 2018 to March 2019.
Honestly speaking, I have to adjust again with a different set-up of learning which is done now online.
The lesson are made up of 8 sessions that has different content based on the age and the level of learnings of the students.
The difficult part is working on a power point presentation. Why? Because the design of your lesson must somehow match your topics.
This is where you are choosing and learning the best font and color for your alphabets and numbers along with the photos that must blend or match your presentation.
So far, I consumed 6 to 8 hours for one presentation. If I am not satisfied with the design of the power point it gave me, I also used other applications available.
Review spelling and grammar related problems. Yes, we do have a ready made sessions but checking of the content is a must to all teachers.
THE TECHNICAL ASPECT
Not unlike the traditional face-to-face teaching where you are attending a physical class with a number of students per subjects, the online teaching is a work from home set-up that is highly dependent on wired connection that supplies strong internet connectivity.
Some uses a desktop for this set-up, but in most cases, a personal laptop that is space saving is what we prefer.
If a room where the work from home set-up do not have a perfect lighting condition, one must use a ring light to meet the right standard for teaching online.
In this case, a webcam with a 1080 HD also is a must for teachers. Along with a headset that has a noise-cancellation features.
But it has to come with a plain or white background that will help you to catch your student's attention. Say goodbye to many things you see behind while conducting an online teaching.
Other things you need, a USB port for the mouse, headset, webcam, etc.
OTHER NECESSARY EQUIPMENT FOR ONLINE TEACHING
If you are teaching a young learners such as kinder, elementary, junior high school, one must consider also using visual aids.
Like I personally printed for a copies of star-shaped reward to commend your students like stars to say that they are awesome, doing great a job.
I also printed copies of delighful images of rewards like an ice-cream, cookies, cupcake, strawberries and pizza.
But you know what, these elements are useful for students, it's like you're selling a new product or maybe an existing product but it has added flavors to excite their senses.
HOW ABOUT THE WORK LOAD?
I have an M/W/F schedule, but it's eating my time from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
I had to wake up two hours prior to my 9:00 am schedule.
Supposedly, I am currently handling 6 students. But the Lee's English Center believes that it will give a big difference if the teaching approach is done by a teacher to only one student at a time.
During your time-in, you have to send a group in messenger the exact time you logged in. And after every session you have to send photos of the highlights of your one-on-one session with your students.
So, if I have 6 students I have to send six times of our activity via a screegrab. And when the session ends, you have to log-out as well using the same group messenger.
Every session with your students via zoom was recorded. Teachers at Lee's English Center are all required to upload this file after in a Facebook page exclusive for teachers only.
If you have a strong internet connection at home, another hour is required to complete this step.
And since, lessons changes, teacher Rod is required to make another lesson every other day. And this is a cycle that I need to repeat until, I was totally done with all the lessons.
SACRIFICES
Long time, means less time for the family, and even less time you commit for other activities you give yourself.
But I remember, I am also doing it for my family to help us in handling monthly bills and expenses.
Teacher Rod here is working as part-timers only while also waiting for some applications sent in other companies that will mature as time progresses.
