TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL JOHN JOSEPH L. PUNO

Like any pedagogical approach, that shift in identity was more intuitive for some educators in the study than others. But almost all participating teachers those who immediately embraced more challenges and built beter relationships with students, felt more attuned to classroom dynamics, and tailored learming to indivicual needs. Teachers describe the special pride that comes from seeing students succeed at goals they've set for themselves This relationship between curriculum and student interest stands out as completely studentdriven, interdisciplinary, and combining resources from their teachers Academic content alongside crucial life skils, like critical thinking, synthesis of multiple kinds of resources, and creativity. Teachers can put student-centered learning to use in their classrooms to increase students' motivation, help students take ownership of their learning, and build strong relationships. In student-centered leaning, teachers serve as experts and key sources of knowledge, and students share responsibility for accessing that knowledge. Teachers are also resources for connecting students with partnerships outside of the classroom. The pedagogy is designed with students at the core and activates prior student knowledge, connects to students' experiences, and adapts to their needs. To create this kind of pedagogy, schools need to understand the experiences of students and their backgrounds. Finally, as you work to create lessons that meet the personalized needs of students, it's crucial to keep in mind how each student's expperience and capacity at school are impacted by their individual circumstances. Understanding and having empathy for every student are crucial to building a learning plan that works for them. Educators can explore each persona to see how that student's school experience is impacted by other life circumstances in doing so, consider what accommodations to lessons could help those students succeed. Students succeed when what they're learning matters to them. In student-centered learning, students' interest drives education. Student-centered learning gives students the opportunity to decide two things: what material they learn and how they learn it. This concept is also sometimes referred to as personalized learning.) In contrast to teacher-centered approaches, engages students as leaders and decision-makers in their own learning. Students plan their own research, propose a solution, communicate their ideas to teachers and community members, and evaluate their own progress as they go. Teachers help guide this process, but the content, timing, and motivation are down to the students themselves What does studentcentered learning actually feel like to students? "Teachers viewed scholars as more than students. We were treated as individuals with our own ideas and viewpoints, and that was incorporated into classes and school governance.

-oOoThe

III at Prado Siongco Elementary School, Lubao West District.

author is Teacher

The Teacher Education Council aims to strengthen the quality of education and training of teachers, according to the Department of Education. Under Republic Act (RA) 11713, the council will be led by the Secretary of DepEd as chair and the vice chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as vice chair, both serving in an ex-officio capacity. Meanwhile, other ex-officio members of the council include the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission. Under the act, the regular members of the council will be appointed by the President, based on their "integrity, willingness to serve, and relevant expertise and experience in the education sector." Regular members of the council must include a teacher representative from public basic education; a representative from an organization of deans of colleges of education, professional teachers and educators; a representative from a national organization of private schools; and a representative from an organization composed of school leaders from public or private schools. The law was signed by the former administration and introduced amendments to RA 7784. The members of the council will serve without any compensation but will be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out their duties. They are also mandated to meet at least four times a year and hold meetings at the call of the council chairperson or a majority of the members, according to the law. All regular members of the Council shall hold office for a period of three years and may be reappointed once for another three years, RA 11713 says. RA 11713 also institutionalizes the National Educators' Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) to provide quality professional development programs on teacher education to in-service teachers, school leaders, and other teaching-related personnel in all public and private basic education institutions. The NEAP, as a component unit of DepEd and headed by the Education Secretary, is tasked to employ a "world-class" approach to professional development that is based on strong evidence and research.

-oOoThe author is Master Teacher I at Manibaug Libutad Elementary School