Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

Something to Look Forward To!

Yesterday I was just saying that I miss being a preschool teacher…

Today I saw a post on Facebook from a friend of mine asking if anyone had an early childhood education background and I so I said I did and asked why…maybe this is the project I was praying for Let’s see

Then I checked my email and I was reminded of an invitation I received from a local foundation to be their plenary speaker for a preschool teacher training this coming October. It dawned on me that’s just about a month away Apparently I still have my toes in the preschool waters, so to speak! That realization suddenly brought so much lightness in my heart and I was reminded that I may have changed classrooms, but yes, Teacher Ria is still in there somewhere

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

Teacher, Teacher…

These past few weeks have been, to say the least, quite rough and rocky. It’s hard being all grown up after all. Haha. Seriously though, last week a friend and I were talking and I said that since I gave up the preschool, I suddenly feel like I’m a million years older. Yes, I kinda feel like since March, it’s been a million years and so I feel tired and all worn out.

Maybe I need to figure out how to work with kids again, yes? There’s really something magical that happens around them. I guess it’s their wide-eyed innocence. Or perhaps their ability to just be. And I guess it’s also because with them, what you see is what you get, no complications and whatnot.

I do know, however, I cannot go back to the preschool classroom. I feel to old for the routine of it all. Perhaps I should explore projects that allow me to work with kids instead…hmmmm….let’s see where this takes me.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections, Teacher's Corner | 0 Comments

Rainy Days and School Days are Oh So NOT Fun!

Today marked the first school suspension due to rains. Well, at least in the elementary and high school levels. In college, as to be expected, classes went on as usual. I’m glad, though, that it didn’t rain too hard and that the streets weren’t too flooded, although there was some build up of water on the ground. Sure it was not enough to stall cars and stuff, but when you have to park in the street or in those  steel garages like in the malls that get so very slippery when wet, it’s such a hassle.

For me, I really, really hate rainy days when there are classes because one, I hate being cold and wet (errr….and as many know I so hate the rain to begin with!). Also, when it’s rainy, the kids often come in late. It’s so frustrating. Lastly, on rainy days, it’s just so hard to motivate everyone to work. Sigh.

Anyway, on the way home I was listening to an AM station on the radio where the show’s hosts were discussing the idea of moving the opening of classes to August instead of June. As can be expected, it was a conversation that went round and round teeeheeehee. It did get me to thinking however about what the best solution for rainy days and school days should be.I couldn’t think of one though…haha. I just wish that there was a better mechanism for the cancellation of classes in the college level when it’s rainy because at present, even when it’s super rainy and floody, there’s still classes unless it is declared as Signal Number 3. But by the time that happens, students and teachers are usually in school already. What to do…what to do….

and just like that radio conversation, this blog post is going around in circles. haha. Seriously though…any suggestions?

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

Oh, Teacher, You Look Different!

warning: this is going to be an all about me post so be prepared for some random self-affirmation and vanity. teeeheeehee.

You won’t believe how many times I heard that on my first day back in school:

“Misss…you’re so blooming!!!”

“Miss Ria, you’ve lost weight!”

“Wow, Teacher, you look so different now…in a good way ”

Teeeheeeheee. Random moments of flattery, I tell ya. One of my friends even said, “parang tumangkad ka ha, kahit mababa heels mo ngayon”  (you even look taller, even though your heels are not as high as usual). Mwihihi. I guess it must be all the yoga I did over the break that really made my skin so much clearer, my posture so much better (after all, the stretching, the ‘ creating spaces’ and strengthening the spine to hold myself up better must be much like getting an hgh shot or popping a few growth enhancers, right?? hehe), and for the most part, made my aura so much brighter because I am much more relaxed, calm and balanced even if I get stressed from time to time. Oh, and of course, the hair cut and color did add a little change to my physical appearance but the weight loss I guess and the more tone physique is what really makes a difference.

It was nice to know that the changes I have made in my life are starting to reflect on my entirely. After all, as I teach in class, well-being is really a holistic thing.Another thing I realized, however, is that I respond better to these comments and complements now….before I’d get all flustered and stuff…now, I just smile and say thank you Yep…teacher is different now.

She grew up. Bow. Teeheehee.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

More Things I’ll Miss this Coming School Year

The other day I started dusting off my old syllabi and materials for class (no, I’m not working yet, but getting ready to do so haha! I am still enjoying the last few days of my I-refuse-to-work vacation, after all!) and came across a pile of old preschool books that I realized I will not be using anymore. Sigh. It got me to thinking of the things I’ll be missing as the school year opens….

I will surely miss….

• little girls in pigtails and big giant headbands
• the sound of pure laughter coming from the belly
• the sight of little boys with eyes as wide as a deer caught in headlights (or more like a bear caught in one of those off-road ATV Lights) as teacher catches them doing something they shouldn’t be doing
• singing off-key and dancing with two left feet (errr…maybe I won’t miss this much!)
• hugs, hugs, huuuuugs…..

sigh…there’s really so much I’m going to be missing come June.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in College, Reflections | 0 Comments

Higher Learning

As I was making my final exam for the developmental psychology class I am teaching this trimester, I was suddenly reminded of the movie Higher Learning. It’s been quite a long time since that film was released, but it dawned on me that the movie was still relevant to many of the concepts I was teaching.

The story revolved around three college freshmen who realized that going to school was more than just a quest to getting their college degrees, rather, it is really a stop in one’s life journey. The learned that the important lessons in life were not just taken from within the four walls of the classroom but that it really went beyond that.

In my class, we did talk about the changing dynamics of education, especially in the past few years. As an educator, I  have seen an influx of very, very young students in masters programs in various universities. In fact, some of my old students ask me to fill up endorsement forms and letters of recommendation for graduate school immediately after they graduate. This lead us to questioning how these decisions influence later life choices and developmental needs and goals. Suffice it to say, these class discussions have really given me a new perspective on the way my students think and how different things are from the time of the movie I mentioned earlier. While there may be differences, however, I think the core components of this life stage still remain: this is the period where adolescents and young adults really search for their identity and step on a path that leads them to their future.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Advocacies, Reflections | 0 Comments

No Hands Zone! Hisense Launches Multipoint Wireless Mobility

A few months ago I wrote a post about Justin Bieber and Charice signing the No Texting Zone Pact on the Oprah Winfrey show and so when I got an invitation to the launch of of Hisense Wireless Wonders headsets and Bluetooth accessories, I did not hesitate to attend. Being highly dependent on my mobile phone and given that my many jobs requires me to be out of the house for long periods of time, I thought it best to check out these new gadgets and to see if they will suit my busy lifestyle.

What exactly was launched during the event? Well, for one, we were introduced to the line of Multipoint Headsets and other Bluetooth Accessories that can make mobile connectivity simpler, quicker and most of all, safer. These devices allow you to pair multiple devices thus allowing you to connect hands-free with no hassles of having to pair and re-pair devices repeatedly. The multipoint feature of the Hisense HB200M headsets allow you to even connect simultaneously with two different phones, even if they are under different network providers. Thus, you are always ready to receive your calls with instant connectivity.

Hisense also introduced the HB650S Car kit (which I seriously wanted to win during the raffle, hehe!). Given that I spend so much time in my car, having this will definitely reduce risks as I take calls from time to time. Yes, I know we shouldn’t use the phone while driving, but…well, this definitely makes it safer, right? What’s good about the car kit is that it has a Smart TTS (Text to Speech) feature enables it to inform you who is calling, without you needing to check on the display.

Adding to the versatility of Hisense Bluetooth devices is the fact that it is designed for both fashion and functionality. Whether its for work or for play, these devices will definitely add some flair to wireless mobility.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

Part-time Woes

I have always loved the fact that I work part-time. I love the flexibility it gives me in terms of managing my schedule and allowing me to do many other things that I love, such as go to yoga, have my “me days” and just take it easy over the weekends. However, every once in a while I am reminded of the little hassles that come with a part-time position, especially now that it’s tax season and that the school year is ending. Yes, granted it’s not that hard to do, it’s still a hassle, right? Haha. Also, being in a part-time position means I have to do a lot of extra paperwork for application of, let’s say, medicare supplement plans. Unlike full time employees, it doesn’t come automatically, I have to file for it. To be fair, however, I get to enjoy the benefit as well, although not completely subsidized. Then again, it’s a small price to pay for all the other things I get to enjoy given my part-time position right?

Okay…I will stop complaining now and get back to work See ya peeps.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections, Teacher's Corner | 0 Comments

No Students Allowed

Working with adolescents still surprise me, even if I have been working with them for the longest time. That’s one major reason why I don’t like adding them up on my social networking sites, although I do know that some of them do read my blogs. I’m afraid that something I say will be taken out of context and then before I know it, I get caught in something that was not meant to happen. For example, I do talk about a lot of personal things I like to do outside of my teaching life. I am, after all, still human, right? But it bothers me when they see pictures of me in compromising positions (errr…I just mean in a party where drinks are served, in the beach wearing a swimsuit etc.) and so I try to avoid allowing them access to that.

Also, I don’t want them to say that they learned something from me inadvertently. For example, what if I say something about an herbal supplement or a diet drink that I tried…then they do it too…and they say I was able to learn more about slimquick here (or whatever, you know what I mean!!!) and pastes the URL of my status message or Tweet to their own walls and whatnot. Dangerous grounds. Haha.

And so while I know there are ways around social media, I make it a point to try to keep my world as student free as possible, albeit I know impossible. I do, however, APPRECIATE IT SOOOOO VERY MUCH when my students drop by my blog and leave me comments or questions Twitter they’re welcome to, but Facebook and Plurk, for now, I will stand firm and say, no students allowed please

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Advocacies, Reflections | 0 Comments

Media’s Mixed Messages to Teens

In my practice, both as a teacher and a clinician, I have worked with one too many girls who have struggled with weight and eating disorders. Sometimes it can be a challenge for me, especially since I myself struggle with weight, but I guess that’s really part of the process, right?

What frustrates me about working with these issues and concerns is how difficult it is to maintain or reinforce what we are working with, especially given the mixed signals students (and all people in general I guess) get from various signals from all over. Although I will talk about media in this post, I recognize that they’re not the only culprit in this whole game. I want to make that clear after all

How does media influence an adolescents body image to begin with? Well, let’s face it: through television, magazines and the like, there really is a glorification of what is ” supposed”  to be beautiful. Although, yes, there are shows and the like that DO EMPHASIZE that there is more to a person than size, it is still very much overshadowed by many other signals being given to them. As such, they go on all sorts of diets and take all these diet pills that promise weight loss in just x number of days. Add to this the reinforcements of advertisements and so on and so forth. Sigh. It’s a vicious cycle I tell ya.

So, what’s the solution? I honestly don’t know. Granted that the need to fit in and to look a certain way is part of the developmental process, I think there should be clear-cut and more significant steps that need to be undertaken to make long-term change happen. As such, I applaud the efforts of shows like America’s Next Top Model (yes, even if it is a model search I appreciate how Tyra would always say beauty comes in all shapes, colors and sizes…although in that show we still can see a lot of the stereotypes, right?) and Glee as they try to make changes happen.

What else can we do? Drop me a line here and lets see where we can go

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

When I Grow Up…

Today, being the first day back in class, I asked my kids to tell me about their vacations. We had a blast talking about their Christmas celebrations and their favorite presents from Santa when out of the blue, one of the kids started crying. Apparently his seatmate was explaining to him that Santa wasn’t real and it was just a man in a costume. Egaaad….

These are one of those few conversations I hate having to deal with. Although I never really grew up believing in Santa, I don’t want to be the one to rain on the kids’  parades, especially since I don’t know how their parents handle things like that. So what I did instead was to have the kids play pretend. I had them pretend what they wanted to be when they grew up and said that the Santas they saw in the malls were just like them as they put on the old white lab coats, fireman’s hats, and various types of uniforms (from baseball jerseys, to basketball shorts, even replicas of medical nursing uniforms as well). I explained that sometimes, the clothes we wear explain or define our jobs and roles, and that went for the mall Santa’s though. That helped pacify the little boy a bit but now I can’t help but wonder what his mom has to say about it Will find out in the morning!!!

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections, Teacher's Corner | 0 Comments

Welcome Back to School!

The whole holiday season seems to have passed by like a blur and in the next few days, most kids (preschoolers and other grades alike) will be trooping back to school. While I have the customary “gaaah…back to work” feeling, there’s a little part of me that has all sorts of mixed emotions. After all, I only have three months left with my preschoolers. It’s a happy and sad feeling, to say the least.

I do hope that before those three months are up I am able to accomplish the following, in terms of leaving behind something to the school that has been my home for such a long time.

1. I hope to be able to store my old activity outputs (i.e. the body cut-out we did showing the inside of the human body, storybooks written by the kids, etc) so that the next teachers can also use them too.
2. Have the school sound system replaced (well, shop for it at least haha). I’d love for them to have a good audio-visual system that works, complete with microphones,wireless speakers, and yes, even a projector.
3. Set up a system that works for the school library. For some reason, we can’t seem to get this right!
4. Clean up the art supply closet!!!
5. Laminate and repair all the teacher made materials, put them in boxes and label them neatly so these all can be maximized. Currently, its sadly underutilized.

The most important thing I want to do, however, of course besides get my kids ready for the big school, is to truly enjoy every last moment till it’s time to hang up my teachers hat for good. Wish me luck.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

Starting them Young

My mom was, to say the least, not the typical mom. But even if she was very different from the image of the “mom”  that I would see on television (errr…I watched Little House on the Prairie a lot growing up! mwahaha!), I strongly believe it is what has allowed me to become who I am today.

My mom always believed in the principle of “starting them young”. She always allowed me and my sister to make choices about many things in our day to day lives, and allowed us too to make our mistakes along the way. She never left us to face the consequences alone, though, but she always made sure we knew about it. Not only that, she always made sure whatever it is we wanted to try would be made available if possible.

For example, I  loved video games as a child but I had to “earn” the games and the like. So, she enouraged me to tap into my business potential. She would make me little trinkets (such as crocheted cases, personalized bookmarks, etc.) which I would sell to my classmates. This allowed me to learn the value of money even at an early age.

Given what I have seen in my personal experience, I always tell my students that their learning process (whether it is in the preschool level or in college) is an essential tool in making them who they are. For one, they don’t just learn how to read and write. This is where they discover their full potential. I love telling them stories about the most successful people who did not necessarily do very well in school but excelled in life. I tell them too that many of the most successful home based business are managed, owned and maintained by “ordinary” people. The difference, I tell them, is that they didn’t let whatever obstacle, limitation or challenge get in their way.

I think that is one thing I’ll miss most when I stop teaching preschoolers…being a part of tapping into one’s potentials and starting them young. Yes, I may not personally see their progress, but for me, simply knowing I did something way back when is good enough.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Life Lessons, Reflections | 0 Comments

Little Bits of Sunshine

One of the things I will miss the most when I no longer teach my Little Chickens (a.k.a. the seniors class. For some reason they’ve taken to calling me Momma Chicken (or shark, or tiger, and lets not forget cougar at times!). One day they decided that since I’m their momma whaterver, they became little chickens), are the random bits of sunshine they throw my way. From unexpected hugs to hilarious comments, and even those little endearing puppy-dog-please-please-please-teacher-eyes they send my way, these are little bits of sunshine that brighten up even the most dismal and difficult days.

Not too long ago, I was having a really bad day. But one of my little chickens threw such a bright ray of sunshine my way I couldn’t help but feel the love.

oct. 15, 2010. today wasn't all good.... blame in on bad dreams and kulit dogs that don't let me sleep, being too nice to people who i should know better than to be nice to (but then again i'd like to still think being nice is a good thing...butbutbut...lets not go there), knowing i hurt some people without meaning to, having to deal with unexpected requirements... but...lookie what i found in my bag ♥ dear god, thank you for these little reminders that despite everything, there is always something nice in every day ♥

happy, happy sigh

I am so gonna miss this.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Reflections | 0 Comments

When Teacher Gets Sick….

Lately my health hasn’t been in tip top shape. I blame the terrible weather for it,  I tell ya. I’ve been getting asthma attacks on and off and I often feel like I am coming down with the cold or something, but it never really happens so it feels like it’s stuck in there somewhere. A few days ago, I was complaining about yet another one of my headaches and my friend told me it just isn’t right that it’s been happening so frequently. She suggested that I take supplements (errr…I am not really the type to make it a consistent habit to take such things, even if it is dubbed as the best vitamins available in the market!) to help keep up my stamina and resistance to such under-the-weather conditions.

Today I went to the doctor to get myself checked and one conclusion I came to is that all the feeling sick and being out of sorts can be pinned on one thing:

I’m really getting old. Yes. There, I said it. Ktnxbai hehe.

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.

Posted by Teacher Ria in Preschool, Reflections | 0 Comments

Growing Up Too Fast

In as much as I love seeing the little girls in my class all dolled up and prettified, sometimes it freaks me out when I see:

• heeled sandals for a three year old
• dresses that resemble lingerie (complete with the straps and lace and strings….)
• nail polish on those little fingers and toes
• lipstick for everyday (actually, I don’t even like it for the programs, if I had my way)

sigh. Think Toddlers and Tiaras…or similar beauty pageants.

I do think they’re cute and all, but sometimes, I wish parents realize that they kinda make their kids grow up too quickly. I remember when I was a child, we’d wear braids and have sandals that strapped in a more functional way! I’ve had so many almost-accidents in class because my kids wear all these sandals that are made to look like mommy’s! Errr….may women I know struggle with such kinds of shoes, what more children, right?

If you found this post interesting, informative and educational, feel free to take home my notes by subscribing here.