THE Department of Education (DepEd) and Globe Telecom recently introduced a series of learning sessions with the theme, “Increasing Self-Awareness to Thrive and Excel in the New Normal.”
This, as both entities launched “TAYO Naman! [Tulong, Alaga, Yakap at Oras para sa mga Tagapagtaguyod ng Edukasyon],” a 14-part webinar focusing on the shift to digital learning triggering a variety of concerns among teachers and educators.
Dr. Jerry J. Jurisprudencia, resource speaker and volunteer counselor of the Philippine Mental Health Association Inc., led the discussion and shared valuable insights into the challenges faced by educators, such as the difficulty in delivering lessons and modules to homes, assessing the performance of students without face-to-face classes, getting infected by the coronavirus disease 2019, and fear of the unknown which can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and even depression.
A practicing clinical psychologist and a professor at the Department of Psychology and College of Arts and Sciences of Miriam College, Dr. Jurisprudencia also provided inputs on counteracting the negative effects of the pandemic while excelling in the new normal by sharing the three “Ps” formula to increase self-awareness. He said that “pagpapahalaga [valuing],” “pagmamahal [loving],” and “pag-aalaga [caring]” are interconnected and essential pillars to effectively rise above challenges.
“If we want to thrive and excel in the new normal, we have to see to it that all three elements are present,” explained Dr. Jurisprudencia, as he said in Filipino: “We should care for ourselves as educators, while also loving our jobs and profession to motivate ourselves to self-care.”
A panel discussion was held subsequently to synthesize and dig deeper into the learning sessions. It was led by DepEd representatives: Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) Director Ronilda Co, Officer In Charge of Indigenous Peoples Education Office Lourie Victor, OIC of Communications Division and Public Assistance Action Center Beverly G. Berame, OIC of the Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development-Employee Welfare Division (BHROD-EWD) Earl Losito, and Dr. Jurisprudencia.
The panel urged educators to establish boundaries and be mindful of their role as teachers, parents and members of the community while at home to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Openness to feedback is also a must as well as the need to pause and conduct daily reflection to cultivate mental and physical health.
“We are pleased with the turnout of the first webinar to care for the psychosocial health of our teachers,” said Yoly Crisanto, chief sustainability officer and SVP for Globe Corporate Communications. “We have to understand their need for psychosocial support.
According to Crisanto, the video of the said webinar, which has garnered 33,000 views, underscores the importance of the overall well-being of educators who inspire and influence millions of learners in their journey of discovery.
DepEd’s “TAYO Naman!” is an online mental health and psychosocial support program, or MHPSS, for all education advocates—including teachers, nonteaching personnel and parents.
The initiative was spearheaded by DepEd’s DRRMS and BHROD-Employee Welfare Division, in partnership with Globe’s Global Filipino Teachers Series on Psychosocial Support Services, the Philippine Mental Health Association Inc., MAGIS Creative Spaces, and Unilab Foundation.
The webinars are held every Friday until August 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and will be streamed live on the Facebook pages of DepEd Philippines, DepEd DRRMS and Globe Bridgecom.