Teachers who inspire

THEY know their core subjects inside-out and more. They make them fun and easy to learn. They innovate. They share. They inspire.

These are just some of the skills and traits of the Outstanding Teachers recognized by the Metrobank Foundation for 2015.

It was fitting and proper that award ceremonies were held early this month. The period September 5 to October 5 coincides with the celebration of National Teacher’s Month in the Philippines.

Meet the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers.

Elementary Level

Regie F. Palmos currently teaches at West Visayas State University (WVSU) in La Paz, Iloilo City. His field of specialization: Elementary Education. Guidance and Counseling. He authored the WVSU Pupil Handbook and the Student Teacher Handbook. Through these two works, he constantly reminds students not just of their rights but, equally as important, also their responsibilities. He provides insights to aspiring teachers on curriculum and deportment. Teacher Palmos is active in advocacies such as anti-bullying, mentoring the mentors, and outreach programs for local seafarers and fishing folk. He has also written a local history of Miag-ao.

Benjamin M. Castro teaches at the Francisco Benitez Elementary School in Tondo, Manila. His field of specialization: Art Education. Using fun and interactive learning strategies, Teacher Castro has transformed the classroom into a creative playground, mini-museum, and theater. Teaching basic art activities such as printmaking, jewelry recycling, illustration, and photography, Teacher Castro has inspired his pupils to appreciate the use and value of art in daily life. His pupils are active participants in art competitions at the division, district, regional, and national levels. He is also actively involved in writing learning resources for art education. He is a Scout Leader.

Amcy M. Esteban teaches at the Legarda Elementary School in Sampaloc, Manila. Her field of specialization: Special Education – Gifted and Talented. This SPED teacher has turned her classroom into a safe, learner-centered, playbased environment where children are allowed to explore their multiple intelligences. She is highly skilled in developing lesson plans and teaching aids in her field of expertise. She is currently helping the DepEd Central Office in revising and finalizing the Multi-factored Assessment tools for screening, identifying, and placement of children with special needs in all Philippine public schools.

Irene G. dela Cruz teaches at Carmona Elementary School in Carmona, Cavite. Her field of specialization: General Science. Her hands-on approach has led her to develop practical models and teaching strategies that make it easier for children to understand abstract concepts. Case in point is her moon phase simulator which has been adopted by various school districts in Cavite. She successfully introduced the Headstart Science Program for gifted children in Carmona Elementary School. She has served as president of various teacher organizations in Cavite.

Secondary Level

Ronaldo C. Reyes teaches at Tabaco National High School in Tabaco City, Albay. His field of specialization: Chemistry. Beyond the school campus, Teacher Reyes is actively involved in work which affects the livelihood of the community. Through Chem-Connect in the Community, he promotes scientific literacy by expanding chemistry concepts as source of livelihood. Through Agri-Tech , he imparts best farming practices. Teacher Reyes continues to develop instructional materials and shares his innovative teaching strategies in various local, regional, and national fora.

Myrna B. Libutaque, PhD teaches at Philippine Science High SchoolWestern Visayas Campus. Her field of specialization: Mathematics. Dr. Libutaque is a staunch champion of mathematical investigation and modeling as modes of instruction. These engaging teaching strategies have proven effective in developing students’ problem-solving and proofwriting skills. She enjoys coaching “mathletes” who have participated in various regional and national math competitions. A multi-awarded teacher, Dr. Libutaque is also the president of the Math Teachers of the Philippines – Iloilo Chapter.

Milagros C. Banan teaches at the Ernesto Rondon High School in Project 6, Quezon City. Her field of specialization: Language. An English teacher for many years, she has since switched to teaching Chinese Mandarin. Teacher Banan is one of the initiators of the development of Detailed Lesson Matrix with Compiled References for the Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL). She is president of the SPFL Chinese Mandarin Teachers Association of the Philippines. Its flagship project – the annual National Festival of Talents – serves as a showcase of the creativity and fluency of the Chinese Mandarin language students.

Ernani S. Fernandez teaches at the Palo National High School in Palo, Leyte. His field of specialization: Business and Distributive Arts. Despite the school’s meager resources, Teacher Fernandez students started winning ICT competitions. Potential donors took notice. With their help, Teacher Fernandez slowly and painstainkingly built up the ICT resources of his school from 4 computers, serving a class of 60, to 40 units, plus assorted multi-media devices. All these were washed away when Typhoon Yolanda hit Palo. Undeterred, Teacher Fernandez eventually rebuilt the facilities. He has written a module digitizing basic accounting for teenagers and co-authored flash cards on energy conservation.

Higher Education

Thomas Edison S. dela Cruz, PhD, teaches at the University of Santo Tomas. His field of specialization: Biology-Microbiology. He has developed laboratory manuals, workshop notes, and teaching strategies for use in microbiology coursework at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. He is a widely published researcher. Over 50 of his research findings have been presented here and abroad. His review of the status of Philippine Microbiology is the first and only compilation of microbiology studies in the country. Also an active teacher-mentor, Dr. Dela Cruz was recognized in 2012 by the National Academy of Science and Technology as Outstanding Young Scientist.

Analyn V. Salvador-Amores, PhD, teaches at the University of the Philippines-Baguio, Baguio City, Benguet. Her field of specialization: Social Anthropology. Her ground breaking work on indigenous cultures is a master class in research methodology. Her ethnographic researches and baseline surveys among indigenous groups in Sadanga, Mountain Province, the Gaddang in Paracelis, and the Agta of Palanan in Isabela have contributed immensely to a better understanding of formerly misrepresented indigenous cultures. She has authored the award-winning book: Tapping Ink, Tattooing Identities – a landmark study of tattooing practices in Northern Luzon.

Kudos to the Metrobank Outstanding Teachers.

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