PCSHS Raises the Bar in the Conduct of Semestral Virtual In-Service Training (V-INSET) Program through the Full Utilization of MS Teams
PCSHS Raises the Bar in the Conduct of Semestral Virtual In-Service Training (V-INSET) Program through the Full Utilization of MS Teams
By: Magdalena P. Jerez, T-III
Chemistry Teacher, PCSHS
Co-Chair, PCSHS VINSET 2021
Pasay City South High School (PCSHS) has recognized the importance of Midyear Semestral Break Virtual In-service training for Teachers as included in DepEd Order (DO) No. 29, s. 2021, otherwise known as the School Calendar and Activities for School year 2021-2022. In view of this, the Pasay City South High School conducted the Semestral Virtual In-Service Training (V-INSET) last January 31, 2022, and February 2-4, 2022, with the theme “Achieving Greater Heights through Academic Resilience”.
Despite the adverse effect of the outbreak of COVID-19 in the educational system for almost two years now, Pasay City South High School under the dynamic leadership of its school head, Mrs. Emilia L. Tolentino, with the full support and aid of Dr. Mark Anthony F. Familaran, the assistant principal; the JHS Department Heads; and SHS Subject Group Heads, has been trying to put its foot forward to continue its delivery of quality basic education. This includes the upskilling and re-skilling of teachers in this fast-changing time in the so-called new normal. To keep teachers abreast with the changing times and to ensure quality education, Virtual In-service Trainings are conducted regularly. In-Service Training has long been regarded as critical to teachers’ ability to maintain and retain their capacity to provide high-quality teaching in a classroom setup. Moreover, it provides activities and practices which hone teachers’ skills needed in the new normal. It is also said that investing in effective teaching approaches is the key to address the learning crisis (Newman & Gentile, 2020).
The PCSHS mid-year break Virtual In-Service Training for Teachers (V-INSET) 2021 had made use of Microsoft Teams as the platform in the conduct of its 4-day Virtual INSET. The use of Microsoft Teams as a platform was maximized in this activity as DepEd has encouraged all schools to take advantage of this platform which it has provided for free.
The attendance in the 4-Day V-INSET was considered outstanding as reported by Mr. Jerwin Salazar, the e-QATAME coordinator. According to Mr. Salazar, based on the gathered submitted attendance report, the V-INSET was consistently attended and participated in by almost 100% of the faculty members and school administrators. It was also noted that the participants were always excited to attend the day-to-day training as manifested in their early logged-in.
. Relevant topics were lined-up for the 4-day training which started with
the Reorientation on Unified Integrative Performance Assessment Tool (UNIPEAT) by Dr. Ramil P. Dorol, EPS of TLE, EPP, and TVL. It was followed by the topic about the Purposes of Assessment and Assessment Planning, which was discussed by yours truly, Magdalena P. Jerez, a Chemistry teacher. The assessment was mentioned to be an integral part of the teaching-learning process that must be taken seriously to help the students achieve the learning outcomes expected of them.
School Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (SDRRMC) related issues and concerns was tackled by Mr. Jimark O. Somogod, the SDRRMC Coordinator on the Day 2. This topic is very relevant to all the participants since calamities and disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. The second topic of the day was about WinS–Interventions & Minimum Health Standards in the Context of Covid-19 Pandemic, which was presented and discussed by our school nurse, Ms. Jocel Amin. She discussed the school health standards during the pandemic and further emphasized the importance of following health standards, especially this time of the pandemic. The last activity set for Day 3 was the Breakaway Session in which the JHS Departments and SHS Groups were given the choice of the topic of their own to discuss. Mrs. Tolentino and Dr. Famillaran had both expressed their satisfaction in what they had observed during the breakaway sessions and had commended both the speakers and the department heads for the job well done.
The third day of the V-INSET was another day full of learnings that can be applied both personally and at work by the teachers. A topic on Financial Awareness was discussed by a financial adviser from BDO Life. His knowledge and expertise on the subject matter had helped the participants become aware of how to manage their financial resources, especially in these uncertain times. Another important topic discussed on this day was Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). This was discussed by the Program Head of the National Teachers College. The topic was very relevant and very timely to what teachers and learners are experiencing in this time of the pandemic. The speaker had talked about how teachers can be equipped with the knowledge on social-emotional competence and how to integrate this in their classrooms.
During the last day, the participants were honored to have the virtual presence of the new PSDS of Cluster 8, Dr. Renato B. Mesada. The newly designated PSDS had an hour-long talk inspiring all the participants. He had shared his experiences as a teacher and as an administrator which somehow inspired the teachers to excel in their field as educators with a compassionate heart. After the inspirational talk of Dr. Mesada, another relevant topic was discussed by Mr. Jerwin A. Marcelo who had discussed and conducted at the same time virtual training on the Utilization of Mobile Apps in creating video lessons. The topic is indeed very relevant in this blended learning modality that we have. The participants had shown interest in the topic and had already started editing pictures that can be translated into creating their own video lessons to be used in their online classes.
The first part of the last day ended with the Principal’s Hour. Mrs. Emily L. Tolentino, the dynamic and transformational school leader of PCSHS had started her talk with the usual “kumustahan” then proceeded to the introduction of the newly hired teachers in the school. The new teachers were given their time a chance to introduce themselves to the faculty who welcomed them virtually. The school principal also congratulated the newly promoted department heads and teachers. Mrs. Tolentino specifically had talked about the requirements needed for the promotion of teachers and the proper protocol in filing papers for promotion. In her talk, Mrs. Tolentino had tried to inspire and encourage the teachers to aspire for promotion and work more for the school. She likewise emphasized the importance of being vaccinated especially for teachers, keeping oneself healthy both physically and emotionally, and other matters relevant to the teachers.
The 4-Day seminar/trainings concluded with a closing program which included giving of impressions of the VINSET from two new teachers- Mr. Baldoz from the SHS and Ms. Tolosa from the JHS. Mrs. Tolentino had challenged the teachers to do their part to achieve greater heights in the delivery of quality instructions despite the challenges encountered in this pandemic. After all, Filipinos are known to be resilient.
The conduct of the V-INSET 2021 has brought new learnings that benefited both the teachers and administrators in upskilling their roles as educational leaders and mentors, especially in this time of the pandemic. Indeed, Pasay City South High School can achieve greater heights through academic resilience!