When I entered college in 1998, I aimed to take Education course because I was inspired by my high school teacher in TLE- Drafting. However, I changed my mind due to some apprehensions and inhibitions about my capacity and capability being shy type then. So, I ended up in Architectural Drafting Technology, a three-year course offered by then Mindanao Polytechnic State College. When I finished the three-year course, we were advised to pursue bachelor degree and in my case I have three options: Architecture, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT), and Bachelor in Technician Teacher Education (BTTE). I chose BTTE, not because I want to teach, but simply because I don’t want to complicate things and all I want to do during that time was to finish my studies the soonest possible time. I can actually opt for BSIT but I considered myself unfit for industries considering my height of less than 5 feet tall (that’s how low my self-esteem was back then). I wish I could pursue my ADT course in Architecture but I considered it as an expensive course and I don’t want to give more stress to my Mom who was our sole breadwinner PLUS I have two other siblings who were studying in college as well at BSU and STI.
I am part of the pioneering group in BTTE- it’s a trimester course during that time so after my graduation in ADT, I took up Summer classes as per requirement. At first, I really have difficulty in complying with all the requirements-mostly paper works and reporting but with the supporting group of classmates that I have and my determination to finish, I was able to make it. Added factor also was the presence of our professors who were mostly Doctors of Philosophy or Technology- that includes the College President, Dr. Montano F. Salvador, who was the brain behind this course. I learned to love the course actually. However, after graduation, it took me sometime (more than two years) to realize that my bachelor’s degree requires me to teach! So I took the Licensure exam and, by God’s grace, was able to pass it. Though I already have the license, I still have so many apprehensions concerning my skills. I have hesitations to apply in Secondary Schools because I thought I don’t have an edge over those graduates of Industrial Education course wherein they were able to tackle almost all the specializations in TLE. I only specialized in Architectural Drafting and nothing else. So I landed in many jobs which I never learned in my years in college. I was once became an Account Supervisor in a Manpower Agency for a year. That experience taught me how to deal with people. Then I became a Sales Executive in one of the trusted computer dealers in the city. I thought that was the job for me. But in spite of the fact that I learned to love my job during that time, I am still hopeful that God allowed me to finish my Education degree for a reason though I cannot clearly find that reason yet but I just want to claim it. Breakthrough came when one of our regular customers, who was my former teacher in MPSC also, came in to inform me that they are in urgent need of a part time instructor in Fundamentals of Drawing. At first, I was really reluctant because it’s been three years or so that I never applied everything that I have learned in ADT but the Chairman of the Graphics Department, who happened to be my former teacher also, insisted that I should accept the offer. It was a short notice actually, because barely a week after I was informed, the classes should start. So I challenged myself, with fervent prayer, I accepted the offer.
My first day in teaching was not that easy. I have so many worries in my mind if I could get through the entire semesters. I double time in studying my lessons. I was just a page ahead of my students actually. To cope up with all my apprehensions, I made the initiative to make a lesson notes that would cover the whole semester through the guidance of the course syllabus. My first semester was my great period of adjustments- then it was also during that moment that I realized that I am beginning to love my job. I was already unmindful of the pressures. I just love what I am doing. During the semestral break, I took up short course in Basic CADD so I could teach the subject on the second semester. My colleagues are very supportive to me during my first school year. Before I noticed it, I already have been teaching for eight long years in MUST. I also use it as an advantage when I applied for DepEd with the K+12 Program.
Until now, some people are not familiar with this course (BTTE). But for those among us who were a product of this course, it was indeed a blessing. Though it is good to become a jack of all trades, but it is far better to become an expert of one specialized course. That’s what BTTE have taught me. Right now, all my apprehensions are gone. I am still learning more about my course; moreover, I am also taking on the possibility that BTTE course can go further with the aid of modern technology- that’s what my experiences in other jobs have also taught me.
Long live, BTTE!
I am part of the pioneering group in BTTE- it’s a trimester course during that time so after my graduation in ADT, I took up Summer classes as per requirement. At first, I really have difficulty in complying with all the requirements-mostly paper works and reporting but with the supporting group of classmates that I have and my determination to finish, I was able to make it. Added factor also was the presence of our professors who were mostly Doctors of Philosophy or Technology- that includes the College President, Dr. Montano F. Salvador, who was the brain behind this course. I learned to love the course actually. However, after graduation, it took me sometime (more than two years) to realize that my bachelor’s degree requires me to teach! So I took the Licensure exam and, by God’s grace, was able to pass it. Though I already have the license, I still have so many apprehensions concerning my skills. I have hesitations to apply in Secondary Schools because I thought I don’t have an edge over those graduates of Industrial Education course wherein they were able to tackle almost all the specializations in TLE. I only specialized in Architectural Drafting and nothing else. So I landed in many jobs which I never learned in my years in college. I was once became an Account Supervisor in a Manpower Agency for a year. That experience taught me how to deal with people. Then I became a Sales Executive in one of the trusted computer dealers in the city. I thought that was the job for me. But in spite of the fact that I learned to love my job during that time, I am still hopeful that God allowed me to finish my Education degree for a reason though I cannot clearly find that reason yet but I just want to claim it. Breakthrough came when one of our regular customers, who was my former teacher in MPSC also, came in to inform me that they are in urgent need of a part time instructor in Fundamentals of Drawing. At first, I was really reluctant because it’s been three years or so that I never applied everything that I have learned in ADT but the Chairman of the Graphics Department, who happened to be my former teacher also, insisted that I should accept the offer. It was a short notice actually, because barely a week after I was informed, the classes should start. So I challenged myself, with fervent prayer, I accepted the offer.
My first day in teaching was not that easy. I have so many worries in my mind if I could get through the entire semesters. I double time in studying my lessons. I was just a page ahead of my students actually. To cope up with all my apprehensions, I made the initiative to make a lesson notes that would cover the whole semester through the guidance of the course syllabus. My first semester was my great period of adjustments- then it was also during that moment that I realized that I am beginning to love my job. I was already unmindful of the pressures. I just love what I am doing. During the semestral break, I took up short course in Basic CADD so I could teach the subject on the second semester. My colleagues are very supportive to me during my first school year. Before I noticed it, I already have been teaching for eight long years in MUST. I also use it as an advantage when I applied for DepEd with the K+12 Program.
Until now, some people are not familiar with this course (BTTE). But for those among us who were a product of this course, it was indeed a blessing. Though it is good to become a jack of all trades, but it is far better to become an expert of one specialized course. That’s what BTTE have taught me. Right now, all my apprehensions are gone. I am still learning more about my course; moreover, I am also taking on the possibility that BTTE course can go further with the aid of modern technology- that’s what my experiences in other jobs have also taught me.
Long live, BTTE!
