My Teaching Philosophy

Madridejo, Nomer Anthony Acorda Mr. Marco Meduranda

The Teaching Profession July 10, 2016
 I am a teacher. I am an advocate of imparting knowledge and inspiring learning.

The primary responsibility is to instill the proper knowledge to a learner, and provide an

avenue in which they can put these learning into concrete and practical situations.

Under the governing principle of the Department of Education, I am to become a

beacon of light for every Filipino to receive quality, equitable, culture-based, and

complete basic education. I believe that the learner is more capable of learning in an

environment that free from branding, discrimination, and stereotypes. I am a facilitator

of learning and my purpose is to constantly nurture every learner. My learning

foundations made me to become a musician. And, it is my personal advocacy to

strengthen the foundations of music appreciation here in our country. This includes

introducing the learners to music that originated from different ethnolinguistic groups

representing the different regions of this land. It is my duty to let them know that our

country has a rich compendium of music that is deeply rooted in our vibrant culture. By

understanding these traditional ethnic music, a learner will be able to hypothesize that

we really have a music of our own, even before the first conqueror landed in our shores.

Because I believe that embracing ones cultural identity can deepen our purpose of

loving our country. I see that my learners will be serving our country in the future by

offering their toil, sweat and tears in this land, rather than working abroad. These

students will have a deeper understanding of things, as they come to appreciate more

about our country. Education is growth. I want to expose them in a learning

environment where they are free to explore, infer, and utilize their learning. My

classroom will be a place where learners engage in vibrant historical themes, using

music, art, literature, architecture, economic theory and strategic analysis. I am

sensitive to the students backgrounds and goals in my lectures and activities, aiming to

connect with their personal experience. I am a teacher who integrates different subject

matter in my own. All of these, I owe to my mentors, who broadened my understanding

of music beyond melodies and forms. They have made me realize the vital role of

music to shape history. Music provided the tapestry of understanding the shifting of the

historical artistic eras. They have instilled in me the discipline in teaching and in living.

I encourage active learning by means of applying various teaching techniques in

order to create an atmosphere of discussion and interaction. Musical instruments are

meant to be played, not to be displayed. With these, I will encourage my students to

explore how to create sensible sounds using the instruments. In the process, the

different elements of music will be demonstrated by means of practice performance.

Music can be intimidating to some. As much as others want to learn, others would

simply say that they are not capable to play one instrument. No learner should get left

behind because even effort has a place in my class. They are open to find their niche

from one method to another, one instrument to the next. In music literature classes, I

employ role playing. Sometimes, I ask my students to portray a scene in history related

to the topic. Sometimes, I surprise them by dressing up as a musical icon, and

transforming my classroom into a different learning space. Everybody loves

entertainment. It is never a degrading matter to entertain. For if it implores learning,

just do it. Respect is bestowed, not imposed. My means of assessing their

understanding is by applying learning in real life situations. My learners play a

Palabunyibunyan pattern used in traditional Muslim weddings. My learners perform

Indonesian Angklung by using it to play western pop music. I ask my learners to create

an artistic output of their learning, using their own skills. I know that I have reached my

goals if the discussion extends outside my classroom. I know that goals are met by

hearing them perform pieces that they chose. When these children enrolled in further

studies in instrument playing, Ill definitely be satisfied.

I am a teacher. To see the learners of today become the stage performers of

tomorrow is but a delight to ones heart. I want to watch a performance in a concert hall

simply because that was my learner performing onstage. I am striving to teach this

subject, so that my learners, the teachers of tomorrow, can also impart the more, if not

the same to their learners. I want to see the same passion that they see in me while I

am in front of them. I want them to be the future guardians of our cultural heritage. As

the world changes every moment, they will ground their feet with the foundations of our

very own culture. The discipline they acquired in music can simply be manifested in

their actions and decisions as they grow. Learning is a lifelong process. Teaching is a

lifelong learning. As we embrace change, we should always carry our traditions with us.