Elevate Calabarzon

𝐀𝐏 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬, 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐙𝐎𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

During the second and final wave of the ELEVATE CALABARZON 2025, Araling Panlipunan (AP) teachers Bernadette Contreras and Melaine Escosia demonstrated their teaching strategies that emphasize student engagement, critical thinking, and collaboration for the Social Science and Values Education cluster.

All the way from Paaralang Elementarya ng Buhay na Sapa, Contreras’ session introduced structured classroom standards that began with a discussion on dengue outbreak that led to various learning activities to ensure student participation like identification assessments, jumbled word puzzles, and group activities.

Through health-related programs in the Philippines such as PhilHealth and vaccination drives, the fellow teachers were encouraged to analyze government efforts in addressing public health concerns.

Meanwhile, Banay-Banay Elementary School teacher Escosia’s talk focused on political uprisings, utilizing image interpretation and videos to enhance historical understanding. She also facilitated a group activity for an in-depth discussion regarding her topic.

Sir Ferdinand Paunil, a Social Science teacher, provided feedback for both sessions praising the demonstrators’ ability to maintain student engagement through interactive classes and varied activities.

The demo teachings marked the one of the last activities for the highly anticipated two-day workshop to witness diverse instructional discussions to make classes more dynamic.

✍️: Jamila Aceveda
📸: Ace Ingco

𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦

To end the two-day ELEVATE seminar-workshop on a high note, the Mathematics Cluster held two demonstration sessions from the teacher-participants who displayed their own teaching styles and methodologies, while incorporating what they have learned from the program’s parallel sessions.

Both Hazel Soriano, a 4th grade teacher, and Jonalyn Punzalan, who teaches Math in 6th grade, displayed spectacular strategies that they apply at San Jose Elementary School in Tiaong, Quezon. The Quezon-based educators enthusiastically presented their respective lessons of Graphing for the 4th graders, and 6th grade Probability, while immersing their students in fun group activities and individual tasks associated with incentives and food rewards.

“Masaya naman po,” both Punzalan and Soriano described ELEVATE to be a rewarding experience.

“I was amazed … they were able to give their 101% and every move they made may pasabog talaga,” the Mathematics Unit Head Romeo Madrona Jr. commended the demonstrations in the cluster and added that their first time hosting ELEVATE for elementary teachers was very successful.

✍️: Jeianne Manalo
📸: Kyier Nera

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

During Day 2 of ELEVATE CALABARZON 2025, the Computer Science cluster held another demonstration teaching session at the Computer Laboratory 2.

Mylene Cuenca led the second demo teaching session from Banaybanay 1 Elementary School, where she discussed proper netiquette and the use of various search engines to find information.

Cuenca explored different ways to protect personal information online, as well as proper behavior when surfing through the internet and using search engines to browse information.

Moreover, she directed her discussion on common search engines used today and how to utilize them appropriately.

Cuenca also conducted a group activity game where the participants had to use a search engine to find answers for a question, instilling proper usage of search engines to those who participated.

✍️: James Din
📸: Eliz Valderrama

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐲𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞

To formally end the parallel session of English in the ELEVATE teacher workshop program, instructor Beverly Cuya, an elementary teacher from San Juan West Sub-Office, San Juan, Batangas, demonstrated engaging and interactive strategies for young learners during her teaching demonstration, highlighting vocabulary building, storytelling, and distinguishing fact from opinion.

Cuya’s lesson included activities such as completing missing letters for vocabulary development, an interactive story time, and a group exercise where teachers acted as Grade five (5) students to analyze facts and opinions.

English teachers of Pisay CALABARZON, who were present at the teaching demonstration, gave generally positive feedback and comments, with minimal areas for improvement. Sir Darrel Bautista praised the lesson, calling it “overall very good” and the diction of Ms. Cuya’s voice as “very beautiful,” while also suggesting a more precise explanation of facts as both provable truths and falsities.

Ma’am Diane Baja then recommended adding an analytical component to help students understand why mistakes occur, enhancing critical thinking in the learning process.

Finally, Ma’am Abigail Ocampo commended the efforts of elementary school teachers, saying, “I really salute grade school teachers,” recognizing the dedication required to teach foundational skills effectively.

✍️: MJ Viernes
📸: Jodi Maulion

𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐚𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

In this modern era with so much more access to different languages, it becomes harder and harder for teachers to keep the classroom both engaged and educated, especially in elementary schools; however, steps are being taken to advance the teaching methods in the Philippines.

As lectures for the Philippine Science High School - CALABARZON Region Campus “ELEVATE CALABARZON 2025: ” regional teachers workshop come to a close, Filipino cluster participants comprised of elementary school teachers showcased what they’ve learned through “demo teaching” with their peers.

“I learned so many techniques and strategies on how to teach Filipino and make it more engaging from these very high-esteemed speakers … especially when it comes to how to deal with the students, how to give feedback, and how to give different forms of assessment,” one Filipino 4, 5, 6 and AP 4 teacher commented earlier this Sunday.

Volunteer Filipino, English, and EPP 4 teacher Dolores Daliuag utilized the top teaching practices shared by their Pisay counterparts after two days worth of lectures, such as clearly stating objectives and rubrics, engaging with the class through discussions and participation, and using lesson gamification and more interactive activities such as “Pik Pak Boom” and other team building games, followed by evaluations and critiques from her colleagues.

“[At] first I felt nervous, but habang tumatagal, okay naman na siya,” Daliuag noted, adding that she would return to the workshop if given the chance.

✍️: Eros Melo
📸: Aiko Asuncion

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨

Switching up the setting from the last sessions in ELEVATE CALABARZON 2025, an elementary teacher presented a lecture, showing many of her own teaching strategies and incorporating those she learned from the event’s cluster talks

Through an energetic and content-filled presentation, Maria Christina Hernandez, a 6th Grade teacher from Barandal Elementary School, made the teachers from the Research, Integrated Science, and Chemistry Units feel like elementary students once again as she taught them about the forms of energy.

“Masaya po ako kasi na-share ko sa kanila ang some of the strategies na alam ko, and at the same time, naipakita ko na hindi lang talaga mahirap ang lagay ng elementary teachers when it comes to teaching.” Hernandez said after her lecture.

To effectively deliver her lesson, Hernandez encouraged active participation from the teacher-students and prepared engaging activities involving problem solving, a group activity, and many call-and-response signals.

“Hindi makakatulog [students]!” Mr. Dexter Vile Laurden, head of the Chemistry Unit, remarked in Hernandez’s efforts. “Ang ganda po talaga kasi, in the context of Grade 6, may iba’t-ibang materials and nare-relate sa ibang lessons.”

After her discussion, the “students” commented on Maam Tina’s diverse use of teaching methods.

“I think some things we shared this afternoon, we also have to apply to our younger students,” Ms. Michelle Manglicmot, Research and Integrated Science Unit head, said.

✍️: Israel Balaong
📸: Alexa Pujol

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫

At the second day of ELEVATE CALABARZON, a demonstration teaching was led by Grade 6 Teacher Beverley Custodio, lecturing fellow teachers through gamified activities and lectures.

Custodio’s teachings covered parts of the digestive system and also the digestive cycle, taught to teachers through gamified activities where they played hopscotch and skit-making, where teachers discussed topics about the digestive system.

Following the lecture, teachers from the PSHS-CBZRC faculty, composed of Physics teachers John-Niel Masong and Hazel Abareta followed by the Biology unit composed of Avril Ley Ann Recto provided insights and points of learning for the Grade 6 teacher.

The faculty mentioned that “It was a very fun and engaging activity,” crediting the teacher's ability to retain the learner's attention and introduce the topic using gamified activities.

The teachers also gave critique to Custodio's teachings, highlighting the need for proper establishment of the topic and the content, as well as explaining the topics in a more in-depth way.

When asked about her experience on teaching the PSHS faculty, she said that “I’m very relieved and grateful because it gives me excitement to hear their suggestions, their critique on how I present the lessons.”

She also mentioned her plans to share her learnings to her co-teachers and colleagues as it has been a big help to her and everyone, stating that she has learned a lot from her facilitators.

“Andami pa pala [ng matututunan], talaga,” she said.

✍️: Lenard Suarez
📸: Denesa Angela Palconit

HANGGANG SA MULI! Maraming salamat po sa pagbisita sa Pisay-CALABARZON para makiisa sa Sana ay marami kayong natutuhan at baunin at gamitin ninyo ang mga ito pagbalik ninyo sa inyong mga klasrum! Kitakits po tayo sa ELEVATE CALABARZON 2026!

𝐈𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

Amid the growing challenges in the education sector, where teachers struggle with heavy workload, lack of support, and diminishing appreciation, Mr. Richard Inumerable introduced mindfulness as a powerful tool to enhance focus, well-being, and connection in elementary classrooms.

"Mindfulness is to stay at present," he quoted, emphasizing the importance of awareness that arises through intentional, non-judgmental attention at the spur of a moment. In an environment where many educators experience burnout and quiet quitting, mindfulness may serve as a mental "seat belt" -- a protective barrier against the unpredictable twists and turns of life.

"Even the unexpected things that happen in life, if we exercise mindfulness, hindi tayo padalos-dalos sa mga actions natin," Eunice Maderazo, a participant from Libjo Elementary School, expressed as her main takeaway for this session.

By training the brain to stay in the present, Inumerable highlighted mindfulness as an essential practice to sharpen focus and control oneself while carrying the load of daily responsibilities and facing unexpected challenges.

✍️: Fernandez, Luis Keith L.
📸: Denesa Angela Palconit

𝐏𝐄 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐏𝐄 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦

Bringing the country's national sport, Physical Education teacher Ronnel Escalera sought to reinforce the importance of integrating Arnis into elementary education to equip young learners with fundamental self-defense skills and core movements of the martial arts heritage.

Providing a systematic flow of lessons, Escalera broke down the essential learning competencies of Arnis, immersing educators to a firsthand experience of the sport from its fundamental skills such as pugay (salute), proper form, attention stance, and safety measures.

In his near two-hour talk, he also guided participants through basic strikes including blocking techniques before introducing advanced skills like single sinawali and double sinawali, a key ability to enhance agility and coordination.

Through his hands-on approach, Escalera made a strong case for Arnis as a valuable addition to elementary education.

✍️: Fernandez, Luis Keith L.
📸: Denesa Angela Palconit

‘𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝’ — 𝐒𝐒𝐃 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞

Student Services Division (SSD) Chief and Social Science teacher, Jorge M. Job, delivered his lecture, "Citizen Science for Sustainable Participatory Management of Cultural Heritage," during the second session of the Social Studies and Values Education cluster, emphasizing the role of community-driven data gathering in preserving cultural heritage.

“You have the freedom, the authority, to design the learning spaces and activities in your classrooms,” Job reminded educators, highlighting the importance of creating engaging and culturally immersive lessons.

He discussed the variations in tangible and intangible cultural heritage across provinces and how participatory citizen science, combined with emerging technologies, supports a whole of government and society approach aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 11.

Moreover, he also stressed that sustainable communities are not solely dependent on technology but on how cultural practices are actively lived and passed down through generations.

To conclude, he encouraged educators to integrate hands-on activities such as Baybayin carving, weaving, 3D paper galeon modeling, and coloring exercises to help students experience and sustain their cultural identity.

✍️: Jamila Aceveda
📸: Ace Ingco