[TeacherAngel]

Hey everyone! I'm sorry I wasn't able to log on here for a while. I've been busy with work. Now to answer your questions...

@Sprite: I've always wanted to be a teacher. When I was a kid, I would gather my playmates in our neighborhood and we'd play school with me as the teacher, of course.

@falselight: Hmmm. Never miss a deadline.

@skysnap: I lowered my rate to $2 for one 500-word article so I can build my reputation. Later on, I raised it to the usual rate.

@Meowspad: I teach Grade 9 English - Afro-American Literature, Grade 10 English - World Literature, and Grade 11 subjects - English for Academic and Professional Purposes, Oral Communication in Context, and Reading and Writing Skills.

@Grecy: It makes me happy when I see a long-term change in my learners' attitude and study habits. The toughest thing is perhaps knowing your boundaries and getting too involved especially in our culture here.

[sprite1950]

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

[madmarycash]

Hi TeacherAngel , I never understood the K-12 education program here in the Philippines. Do you think it is a good program?

[TeacherAngel]

@sprite1950 I guess I am more of a night owl who has to be an early bird on school days.

@madmarycash It is a great program. It prepares the learners better for college, for entrepreneurship, and for employment. The heart of the program is the work immersion in 12th grade, second semester. What I love most about it is the active involvement of the external stakeholders in the learning process. The initial implementation is not as successful as we hoped to be but I have high hopes this coming school year especially since teacher training is scheduled earlier unlike last year.

[sprite1950]

Our school holidays are different to the US. They have three months off in the summer but we only have 6 weeks here in the UK with other holidays like Christmas, Easter and half term breaks dotted throughout the year. What is it like in your country?

[TeacherAngel]

We have approximately two months of summer vacation here in the Philippines - April and May. Classes start in the first week of June, usually and ends in March or the first week of April. Then, we have Christmas vacation which is about a week or two, a semestral break of one week before All Saint's Day (for the students since the teachers have to undergo in-service training during the semestral break), and other non-working holidays throughout the year. However, some universities adjusted the beginning of their classes to August instead of June but the majority maintained their usual school calendar.

[sprite1950]

It's interesting to see the difference in school holidays for different countries.

In April we have a 2 week Easter break (our children went back this week). In May we have a couple of bank holidays and a week at the end for half term, but our summer holiday doesn't start until the end of July and we get just 6 weeks.

In the UK we are not allowed to take our children out of school in term time for a family holiday; many schools impose a heavy fine for this. Is it the same for you?

[TeacherAngel]

It's a bit more lenient in most schools here depending upon the length of the family holiday. As long as the learner submit output requirements or extra work to make up for his or her absences, most school admins would give considerations especially if it's just a matter of days.

[sprite1950]

Are you afraid of the dentist and do you go regularly?

[TeacherAngel]

I'm not afraid of the dentist but I do not go regularly either. The last time I went to the dentist was more than a year ago and I am planning to return this summer for cleaning to take advantage of the time when there are no classes.

[sprite1950]

What sort of clothes do you prefer to wear, casual or dressy?

[TeacherAngel]

Casual. If it's up to me, everyday will be pajama day.

[sprite1950]

What time do you get up in the morning?

[TeacherAngel]

When I need to go to work, my husband wakes me up at 5:30 AM. But when there are no classes like now, since it's summer vacation, I usually get up at 8:00 or 9:00 AM.

[sprite1950]

Do you go away with your family during the school vacation or do you prefer to stay at home?

[TeacherAngel]

We usually go to Manila where most of my relatives in my father's side as well as most of my husband's family are. Actually, we just came home last Sunday from Manila.

[sprite1950]

What's your biggest worry in life?

[TeacherAngel]

As of the moment, it's my family from my father side. There are some growing conflicts and we weren't that way before, back when my grandfather and grandmother were alive. Back then, what's happening right now seems impossible. I am also worried about how time and life changes people and I am praying hard that such thing will not happen to my sisters and I as well as our kids.

[sprite1950]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Life can be hard at times.

What is your fondest childhood memory?

[TeacherAngel]

I hope it will all be OK soon.

My fondest childhood memory is when the whole family from my father's side went on an out-of-town trip which turned out to be more of a road trip. I remember those times when my cousins and I were like brothers and sisters and all troubles seemed so minuscule.