November 21, 2024 – The Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) 1st and 2nd-year students gathered for a highly informative and inspiring seminar titled Future-Ready Teaching: Transformative Practices and Strategies for Aspiring Educators. The event aimed to equip future teachers with the skills, knowledge, and mindset necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic educational landscape.
The seminar featured two accomplished resource speakers who delivered thought-provoking and practical sessions:
Topic 1: Teacher Professional Development – Continuous Learning in a Changing Educational Landscape
The first speaker, Ms. Michelle Rubio (Division Coordinator on Instructional Innovation, DepEd Schools Division of Sorsogon), an experienced elementary school teacher with extensive years of practice in a rural academic setting, captivated the audience with her insightful stories and experiences. She emphasized the following key points:
- The importance of continuous professional development in adapting to changes in the education sector.
- Strategies for self-improvement, including attending training sessions, seeking mentorship, and engaging in reflective teaching practices.
- The unique challenges and rewards of teaching in rural schools, highlighting the power of passion, creativity, and perseverance in creating meaningful learning experiences for students.
Her real-life experiences inspired many students, showing them the value of resilience, adaptability, and a growth-oriented mindset in their teaching journey.
Topic 2: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – Prospects and Opportunities
The second session, equally engaging, focused on the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The speaker, Mr. Rob Buban (Instructor I, SorSU MC) explored how AI is reshaping classrooms and creating new opportunities for both teachers and students. Highlights of the discussion included:
- The potential of AI to personalize learning, improve student engagement, and support differentiated instruction.
- Tools and platforms that future educators can utilize to integrate AI in teaching, such as adaptive learning systems, AI-driven assessments, and virtual teaching assistants.
- Preparing for challenges associated with AI, including ethical considerations and ensuring technology enhances—rather than replaces—the human touch in education.
The speaker encouraged aspiring teachers to see AI as an ally rather than a threat and to explore its possibilities for enriching their teaching methods while maintaining a focus on student needs and creativity.
Empowering the Educators of Tomorrow
This seminar was a transformative experience for the participants, equipping them with practical insights, strategies, and a forward-looking perspective. It underscored the vital role of continuous learning and innovation in education and motivated students to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the modern teaching profession.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our resource speakers for sharing their expertise and to everyone who made this event a success. Together, we are shaping the future of education, one aspiring educator at a time!
Sorsogon State University, Magallanes Campus  via Prof. Franklin Padua Calaminos
