Regional Peer Coaching Training for Innovative Teaching

The Regional Peer Coaching Training for Innovative Teaching was held at the Video Conference Room of the DepEd Region VIII, Candahug, Palo, Leyte, last November 22 – 24, 2012 by the trained Peer Coaches of the Coalition for Better Education (CBE) and Globe Telecom, Ernani S. Fernandez of Palo National High School, Bryan H. Gervacio of Eastern Visayas State University and Gay Ballais of New Ormoc National High School.

This is with the help of Cesar P. Verunque, the OIC-Chief, Field Effectiveness Division of the DepEd Region VIII Office, who helped the Peer Coaches for the approval of the proposed 3-day training.

The training aims to: 

1.      Enhance appreciation of peer coaching as an effective professional development strategy through various activities;

2.      Creates a clear understanding of the mentoring and coaching processes, as well as the value of motivation and enthusiasm, so that participants go forth and excite their peers with new learning;

3.      Builds a global community of teachers who continually engage in the study of their craft;

4.      Provides a structure for the follow up to training that is essential for acquiring new teaching skills and strategies.

It was attended by the following Proficient Global Filipino Teachers of the Eastern Visayas Region:

Name	School	Division
Jessica O. Gacelos	Palo National High School	Leyte
Rhea B. Sampere	Palo National High School	Leyte
Rafaelita C. Batiancela	Palo National High School	Leyte
Mauricio M. Catan	Tanauan School of Craftsmanship and Home Industries	Leyte
Antonio B. Dacatimbang	Merida Vocational School	Leyte
Eden B. Morillo	Naval School of Fisheries	Biliran
Jeneth M. Alfaro	Mag-ubay National High School	Calbayog City
Mark Anthony C. Bagaris	Pilar National Agricultural High School	Calbayog City
Ma. Rona C. Lim	Tarabucan National High School	Calbayog City
Galicano Jay N. Fabi	Leyte National High School	Tacloban City
Feigi Louie D. Pedrera	Cirilo Roy Montejo National High School	Tacloban City
Niel A. Loyogoy	Sagkahan National High School	Tacloban City

Due to conflict of schedule, Dorcas L. Mejia of Tanauan National High School, Fidelino M. Josol of Palo National High School and Ian Jane Sorita of Hilongos National Vocational School, were not able to attend, while Michael C. Parado, teacher-mentee from Palo National High School, replaced Fidelino M. Josol in the 3-day leave out training.

A registration fee worth One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (Php1,500.00) was collected from the participants that covered for the training materials, supplies and food for 3 days.  It was charged from the school local funds of the participants.

The untrained GFT must find time to collaborate with the trained peer coaches and do the implementation of the program.

As part of commitment of the GFTs to spread the use of ICT for education, the participants are expected to do peer coaching with other teachers from their respective division or school.

On the 3-day of the peer coaching training, the participants were taught with the peer coaching cycle, the roles and responsibilities of the peer coaches, the use of ICT tools for innovative teaching, and lecture on the art of questioning. 

Participants were also encouraged to implement project using project-based learning approaches and even join the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Leadership Award as inspired by the GFT from Taluksangay, Zamboanga City, Shateen Danong Seraña, who represented the Asia Pacific at Czech Republic for the Microsoft ICT Global Forum, November 28 – December 1, 2012.  

The highlights of the training was when the GFTs explore the use of ICT tools.  Aside from making Interactive Quiz using Microsoft Powerpoint, WebQuest was also introduced.  The usual powerpoint slide design presentation was made attractive by CS Photoshop application as modified by the Resource Speaker/Peer Coach, Ernani S. Fernandez.  Bryan H. Gervacio introduced other ICT tools which are helpful for teachers.  The one that attracts the participants was www.edmodo.com, a social media networking site, applicable for teachers and students for online collaboration aside from using Facebook.

The innovativeness of the GFTs were seen during the presentation of outputs on the 3^rd and last day of the training.  And there were some GFTs who had shown extraordinary performances, Mark Anthony C. Bagaris of his Mathematical skills sharing his analytical mind, Galicano Jay N. Fabi and Jessica O. Gacelos for their witty responses on their thoughts for peer coaching, Niel A. Loyogoy and Feigi Louie D. Pedrera for a very interactive and attractive digital quiz in powerpoint.  And even Michael C. Parado, absorbed all the skills and presented his output well.

Peer coaching is a strategy, a good program and a challenge  to every peer coaches.  The only problem that may encounter is in the implementation.  This must be introduced as a program in the region.  It must be disseminated to all school administrators for awareness and for possible support.

Hence, the Global Filipino Teachers of the Eastern Visayas Region are very thankful that the DepEd Region VIII Office is supporting the Peer Coaching Program and will be included as a project in the entire region.