As the comparative education LMU study abroad program in the Philippines comes to an end, it’s time to take a step back and reflect on the millions of rich experiences and opportunities presented in our individual history and our time here in the Philippines.
With the many differences my experiences in public education has brought to the table, I’ve noticed each system of education has been enriched with students who have a desire to learn and the incredible need for opportunities in student discovery, innovation, character development, leadership and community based learning.
With the many differences my experiences in public education has brought to the table, I’ve noticed each system of education has been enriched with students who have a desire to learn and the incredible need for opportunities in student discovery, innovation, character development, leadership and community based learning.
One of the major lessons I found most valuable from the visit to Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm is the definition of social entrepreneurship, which is defined as: The pursuit of an OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE PATTERN BREAKING SOCIAL CHANGE regardless of the resources you currently control.
I now believe that public schools like the ones in Marikina and Oakland not only lack resources and materials, but more importantly, lack this development of social entrepreneurship with their students. This concept of social entrepreneurship and allowing this practice to become part of student learning holds the power to fight against inequality, low quality and achievement gaps in our public education.
I now believe that public schools like the ones in Marikina and Oakland not only lack resources and materials, but more importantly, lack this development of social entrepreneurship with their students. This concept of social entrepreneurship and allowing this practice to become part of student learning holds the power to fight against inequality, low quality and achievement gaps in our public education.
On behalf of the LMU students and teachers of CA public schools, we can all now reflect on our experiences with education, return to our classrooms and be better teachers to our students. We are now able to serve our communities we live and work in because of our encounters with Gawad Kalinga and their students enrolled in the School of Experiential and Entrepreneurship Development (SEED). We are now able to be our best selves for our students in the United States because of our relationships with the Marikina elementary Teach for the Philippines Fellows and their students. We are now able to do our job as public school educators because our kids deserve that much.
It is clear to me that what our current public schools are providing to our communities is not meeting the needs and development of our students we serve. So as educators, it is vital to incorporate the opportunities that are powerful enough to reach the needs of our students and meet them where they are so their development and achievement levels are far beyond what is expected. Being exposed to different realities and comparing best practices has given all of us the inspiration, motivation and rejuvenated passion to do some real change with public school education.
We are ready. Many thanks to the relationships built and the beautiful land of the Philippines. You will forever be in our hearts.
It is clear to me that what our current public schools are providing to our communities is not meeting the needs and development of our students we serve. So as educators, it is vital to incorporate the opportunities that are powerful enough to reach the needs of our students and meet them where they are so their development and achievement levels are far beyond what is expected. Being exposed to different realities and comparing best practices has given all of us the inspiration, motivation and rejuvenated passion to do some real change with public school education.
We are ready. Many thanks to the relationships built and the beautiful land of the Philippines. You will forever be in our hearts.