An item in DepEd is really a blessing. For some it is a miracle, for some it is a manna from heaven. I have started my path to Deped, 3 years ago. It began when I got pregnant and decided to stay in my birthplace for good. Teaching can be lucrative if you know how to manage your finances well.

At the start of the school year, I had gave up on that dream and refocus on my online job but things turned differently on the say of my 31st birthday. A woman came to my house to tell me to report to the school so I can sign my proposal and finally start teaching. I was already half-hearted but since the opportunity have already presented itself, I dared myself to jump in. The people who helped me and encouraged  me to pursue this job pushed me more to grab the opportunity.

My advisory class was originally handled by a retiring teacher. She only got to meet them twice then she went on a terminal leave.

There was no new employee orientation so I had to rely on my "asking" powers. There was an orientation organized by the Schools Division but not until October.

Going back to work that involves a lot of people and requires you to report on a given time requires a lot of adjustments. In addition to that, I have to prep myself and be in my best self as much a possible. Adjustment period depends on how good are you in coping up. If you are a people person like me, adjustment period will be a breeze. This school I am currently teaching in is my Alma Mater. I am now working with former classmates and teachers. :)

I am juggling two jobs until February 2018. I got really burnt out so I had to make a choice to give up the other job. My health is compromised, my time for my daughter is compromised, and I have to say stress is too much. My brother is helping me with my other gig but the work is really becoming a burden and my resources are no longer of help. During that season, I re-learned that you can only serve one master and that your true potential will only come out if you are focused - mind, heart, soul, body.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Teaching will really bring out the best and worst of you. So you really have to be careful. That is especially true when dealing with the students. The Child Protection Policy is really a serious thing. When I first learned about the scope and its essence, my heart sunk. It's like teachers doesn't really have a power over them. They can never be at fault. Students are becoming untouchable. I've heard my former teachers comparing our batch to today's learners. Saying this generation of learners are becoming worse. It is really their fault, or is it the fault of the older generation who failed to discipline and teach them? When I got it to this job I have put in my heart that I will serve this generation because I know that they need to be understood and assisted to shape them and to drive the many talents and skills they possess for their benefit.

SINGLE MOM TEACHER
I did not hide my status as a single mom. As much as possible I tried to be transparent with my classes. I think that is one reason why they loved me. I let them be part of my life and make them feel important for doing that. There are times that I have to pause to make a point. Make your teaching as platform to influence students to do good.

One student asked me what happened, I simply asked that there are choices that we have to make and getting married after giving birth is one. I answered that with a reminder to not to do the same. They have to be sexually pure until they are married and if ever they have made the same mistake.. don't give up. We are always given another chance to make things right, it's only left to us to  make the right choices.

LOVING YOUR STUDENTS IS YOUR KEY TO HEAVEN
Teaching should always be made with love. Love should be the driving force of rendering your duty - more than the compensation, more than the honor, more than teaching itself. If they felt the love, eventually they will also love what you're teaching.  You will be encountering different kinds of children - poor, rich, smart, not-so-smart but choose to love them equally. Never show favoritism even if you really have someone. :) Don't always call the brilliant to speak in class. Call the ones who are not so brilliant because they are the ones who really need you.

Do not compare yourself to other teachers. You have your own teaching style. You have your own set of talents and skills. If there's one thing that you should set as a goal: Be better version of yourself each year. Also, don't step on to others' foot just to achieve something.

KNOW THE LIST OF REPORTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENT YOU NEED TO PREPARE
Check my separate post about it.

SHOW YOUR TALENT BUT LEARN TO PRIORITIZE
I have shown my talents too early so the result I'm one of the busiest. Haha. That's the truth. You may always be the busiest but remember that serving will benefit you more than those being serve. I am into image processing, publication lay-outing, photograph and others. That made me a household name when it comes to those stuff. Extra curricular activities like these will get into your priorities so learn to schedule and say no when you really can't do it. You have to manage your "clients" as well.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Your best weapon in teaching is none other than YOURSELF. So make sure so that care of it. Relax, have some fun. Spend time with your family. After all you deserve a break after a very long day at work. Also, enjoy every moment no matter how toxic it is!

Any tips to share for incoming rookie teachers? Leave it on the comment box.

Come March, I felt so stressed out because I didn't know I'll prepare a lot of documents. I don't want anyone to go that stress so today I am listing down the documents you need to prepare throughout the year and hopefully this will help you earn high score during your school and district monitoring and evaluation.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
1.TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS	-Preparation of DLL/DLP with references -Variety of Instructional Materials -Presence of TG, C, LM -Activity Sheets
2.CLASSROOM ASSESSMENTS	-Preparation of Test Questions with TOS ---Summative Tests ---Periodical/Quarterly Tests -Pupils' Portfolio -Rubrics/ICL (for Secondary)
3.FORMS	-SF1*, SF2, SF3, SF4, SF5*,SF10 -Class Record -Form 138 -Form 137-E (from Elementary) -Grading Sheets -Summary Sheets -Others (IPCRF/Visitation Form) *can be downloaded from LIS *complete school forms here
4.COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT	-Conducted Homeroom Meetings (Supported with Letters, Attendance, Minutes) -Participated in Community Programs (Supported with pictures and request from barangay officials) -Stakeholders Project (Donation/s)
5.PROFESSIONAL GROWTH	-Training/s attended -Training/s conducted -Subscription of professional magazines -Attended Post-graduate studies (Permit to Study)
6.CLASSROOM SET-UP	-Well-constructed/Updated Bulletin Board -Clean Classroom Wall -Waste Segregation -Well-Arranged Chairs/Desks/Tables -Open shelves for Pupils' Portfolio

These are is the list as far as District Evaluation and Monitoring is concerned. These are also the same documents or mode of verification (MOV's) needed for your Performance Evaluation. Moving forward, I am planning to write more or make a video clip about each performance indicators.

Final Notes: If your school doesn't give any orientation about your duties and responsibilities, the best way to deal with that is ask. Don't procrastinate on accomplishing these requirements. That will be your key in achieving a high score on your school evaluation and monitoring.

I'm now writing as a different person. Some strings were no longer attached. I've re-embraced teaching. I'm honored to have been trusted to teach English. So for DepEd Grade 7 Teacher looking for a material for Reported Speech (EN7G-IV-e-5), here's one helpful link. Click on the image.