COMMUNITIES

Welcome GS Newbies! (Part 1)
Flora Alfonso, Hoofprint Moderator & Zarah Grace Calimag – Gagatiga, GS Web Editor

Posted Thursday, 4-Aug-2005 7:20 AM

Xavier School welcomes the new members of the Xavier Grade School family, the best and the brightest who will share their knowledge and skills, in the spirit of “Magis.”

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

My favorite place in school was the library because back then I was very fond of reading pocket books like “Sweet Valley Twins” and “Nancy Drew” and our library had a wide collection of these books, so I was a constant borrower of books.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

I think I would be fantasy because I usually imagine things. I dream a lot and try to picture future events the way I want them to happen.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

My first week at Xavier was a period of adjustment for me. During those days, I was overwhelmed with orientations and departmental in-house seminars. I was not able to attend UbD sessions because I came in only in May. The academic environment was new for me because I came from the corporate world where I was used to a lot of stress and working late at night.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

“Mischievous angels.”

If you were given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

I would like to have the power to read minds so that every time I teach, I would know what my students are thinking; whether they understand the lesson or are very confused, attentive to what is presented or distracted by their own problems, having fun in school or completely hate the idea of going to school.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I can play the piano, although that was ages ago, and I’m good in playing table tennis.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

When I was in the grade school, my favorite place was the playground. I loved playing when I was a kid.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

I would be a novel, specifically, an adventure book. That’s how I see my life, full of surprises and challenges.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

My first week of school in Xavier was exciting and certainly a blessing. Exciting, because it was my first time to be in an all-boys’ school and a blessing because I started working with very supportive and accommodating teachers.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

My students are like the colors of the rainbow.

If you were given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

I want to have the power to do magic so that I can fascinate my Grade 1 kids and motivate them to enjoy our class. Of course I will use this only when my students feel restless and agitated.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I can play the guitar for school or classroom activities and I love to sing and dance.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

My favorite place was outdoors. Our school had lots of trees and we loved to play under the trees and in the wide fields.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

I would be an adventure book that is both insightful and optimistic. I’m an adventurous type of person and I always try to see the good side of all situations and have positive expectations of people.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

I barely survived my first week of school. I felt the kids ganged up on me during my first day but eventually, I learned to take charge. I’m grateful I did! Thanks to my co-teachers. Silent treatment and the “look” certainly work better than repeatedly scolding the boys.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

My students are starting to grow on me like a weed turning into an herb. Initially, I was clueless about what to expect from them. Now, I’ve discovered that I have a bigger purpose and my role is to help bring that out from them.

If you were given the chance to have super powers, what would it be? I wish I could have telepathic powers so that I can understand my students better. I will know what would tickle their minds and motivate them to learn more. This would definitely help me to be a better teacher if I can understand my students better.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I am special because I am determined to see the goodness in every situation.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

The library and the playground were my favorite places when I was in Grade School. I enjoyed going to the library because I liked reading picture books and borrowing them as well. On the other hand, I also enjoyed the playground because it is the place in school where I meet my playmates and learn new games and tricks.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

I would be a compilation of short stories. My life is full of short stories with lessons in each story.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

My first week in Xavier School was horrible! I entered last school year and it was already the Third Quarter. The boys who were assigned to me had their own classroom discipline structure. It was really like literally cutting through a structure!

What metaphor would best fit your students?

My students are “as tall as the trees, as gentle as the wind.” My Prep boys may be big physically but they are still young and innocent in their own little ways.

If you were given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

As a teacher, I would like to have the power to show my students the future. With this power, I will be able to show my students the effects of having a good education and the importance of taking their studies seriously.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I’m a good storyteller and I can cook, specially Spanish cuisine.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

My favorite place was easily the library. I enjoyed the peace and quiet that it provided while I read books, researched and did my assignments.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

Since I’m in the field of Art, I would like to choose instead a genre of painting. I would probably be an impressionistic painting showing ordinary folks about activities they enjoy doing: natural, simple, unassuming.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

The first week was a nostalgic trip as I was reminiscing my first week as a student in Xavier School . Scared at first, a little lost but with the help of my old teachers and new friends, I found a new home. As a teacher, it’s like being a new student all over again. But I am grateful to my co-teachers and a very supportive community, I know there’s no reason to be scared and to feel lost.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

My students are like caterpillars! They readily warm up in their cocoons. They’re easily excited and open to new information as if ready to bloom into butterflies.

If you are given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

I wish to have the power to switch on to a different character each time I need to motivate my students. I can be their favorite super hero in full gear, their favorite cartoon character, or their favorite animal. I can change easily in one click.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I believe that a positive attitude could be a contribution to the Xavier Grade School community.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

My favorite place in school was the cafeteria. It’s where my best friend and I instituted our secret club.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

I’m a poem – the more you dedicate your time to reading a particular piece, the more you’ll learn and appreciate it.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

I had already been here the previous year, so my preoccupation in handling the boys for the first time was not as apparent as it was then. But I admit, the first few meetings were a bit nerve racking.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

Let me borrow this quote from my favorite comic, “Rose is Rose”. It goes like this - “Kids are much like a human concentrate: they’re 10 times smaller than us adults, but they have 10 times the strength, endurance and activity.”

Given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

It would probably be a combination of Superman’s powers – being able to zoom from one place to another; having x-ray vision; the ability to stop time so I can do a zillion things. I would be capable of knowing my students better; prepare more visual aids; do more research on my lessons. Eventually, I’ll have more time for my family and friends.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I’m a hard worker and a team player. I help out whenever I can. My training includes writing fictional and non-fictional pieces, as well as an interest in photography.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

My favorite place in school was the library and the playground/gym. I often hang out with friends who came from higher batches and those were the only venues that we could spend time together.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

I would be contemporary literature and a little of children/classic literature.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

Indescribable.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

Bombs waiting to explode anytime.

If you are given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

I’d want to be able to read minds. That way, I’ll know what my students are thinking, if they’re really listening and if they intend to do something nasty. This will also give me the power to know where my students are interested in. I can use that in lesson planning to ensure a fun-filled, dynamic and very much enjoyable learning experience.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I really can’t think of any special talent but I am very much inclined on stuff geared towards the arts and crafts.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

My favorite place in school was the classroom. It was one place where I got to interact with my teachers and with my classmates. It was in the classroom where I learned the value or cooperation, honesty, obedience, love, loyalty and hard work.

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

I had mixed feelings of excitement coupled with anxiety but when I met my fellow mentors, the feeling was more exacting. I found a new home and a new family in Xavier School . I feel I belonged even before the start of a new school year.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

I will look at my classroom as an orchard and my students, the little trees that grow there. I can nourish them with the knowledge and values necessary to help them grow into mature and better persons.

If you were given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

My super powers would be all the efforts I put forth to make my lessons

meaningful and fruitful to my students to learn.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I am not a Sarah Geronimo, but I can sing with gusto. I can play basketball and volleyball. I am not for myself but I am for others. I can always be there where I am needed.

Go back to the top ^

When you were a grade school student, what was your favorite place in school?

The school playground was my favorite because I loved playing patintero.

If you’re a genre of literature, what are you? Why?

It would be a mixture of comedy, drama and a whole lot of adventure! That's how my life is! Fun and often unpredictable!

Describe your first week of school in Xavier Grade School .

My first week of meeting the students in Xavier was both exciting and tiring.

What metaphor would best fit your students?

My students, I would like to believe are sponges - eager to receive new information.

If you were given the chance to have super powers, what would it be?

I wish to have the power to move time. It sounds cool to adjust time to finish lesson, to do things outside the classroom and get longer rests on weekends.

What special talent can you contribute to the Xavier School community?

I love to sing and I believe that singing also loves me.

Welcome Newbies! is a three part series that will feature Xavier Grade School's new hires for school year 2004 – 2005. It is a collaborative feature article by Flora Alfonso, Hoofprint Moderator & Zarah Grace Calimag – Gagatiga, GS Web Editor.

Go back to the top ^