by Michelle Jeanne C. Caracut, OPI
To create an avenue wherein teachers could share experiences, learn from each other, inspire others with their best practices, and be empowered to create their own reading programs in their schools, the College of Arts and Social Sciences through the Department of English conducts a three-day training on reading and literature on February 17-19, 2017.
This training is a continuation of the extension programs of the English Department beginning 2010. It had three previous extension programs, namely: Reading Remediation Program at Echavez Elementary School, Reading Remediation Program in Iligan City North Central School, and Reading Towards the Creation of Theater: Enhanced Scaffolding Techniques in Increasing Reading Comprehension Level at Iligan City East High School. These extension programs were the department’s response to the call to take part in addressing the reading problems in the city.
It targets 65 elementary teachers from the North, South, East, West, and City Central Districts of Iligan who will receive lectures and trainings from resource persons coming from Davao City and MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology.
Resource persons are Dr. Melanie P. Estacio, Department of Education (DepEd) Region XI Language Program Supervisor; and Dr. Christine F. Godinez-Ortega, Literature Professor and OPI Acting Director of the Institute. Estacio talks on “Doable Frameworks to Address Pervasive Literacy Gaps” while Godinez-Ortega lectures on “The Teaching of the Literatures of Mindanao”.
Trainers in the parallel workshops for Teaching Reading are Dr. Jinky B. Firman, Elementary School Principal III of Doña Asuncion Hizon Elementary School, Bangoy District of Davao; Dr. Brenda B. Jacobo, Regional Education Program Supervisor II of the Field Technical Assistance Division; and Dr. Melanie P. Estacio. Trainer and facilitator for Teaching Literature using distillation is Prof. Amado C. Guinto, Jr., faculty of the Department of English.
Prof. Onnah Pierre P. Talle, the department’s Extension Committee Chair lays down the four objectives of the training: (1) to establish institutional linkages with the Department of Education-Iligan City Division; (2) to empower the teachers in the teaching of reading and literature; (3) to empower teachers to create reading programs in their institutions; and (4) to strengthen the capacity of MSU-IIT to deliver quality education.
Attending the three-day training are Dr. Angelina B. Buaron, DepEd’s Regional Language Supervisor, Region X; and officials of Iligan City’s DepEd, namely: Dr. Randolph B. Tortola, Schools Division Superintendent; Dr. Alicia E. Anghay, Chief Education Supervisor; and Dr. Henry B. Abueva, Education Program Supervisor I.