Work Immersion Diary - First day (Memories to Keep)

Good day, Hivers! How’s life? Did you miss me already? Because I truly missed all of you. It’s been a while since I last posted a blog due to my very hectic schedule as a student. As you may know, I am a graduating student, and I’m proud to say that I will be graduating at the end of March. And dear Hivers, I want you to know that you are part of this meaningful journey of mine. You inspired me to move forward and reach my dreams. So, shall we begin?

For me, the phrase “first day of immersion” feels like going on a journey to a new and unfamiliar place. It carries a mixture of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity. That is exactly what I felt today as I stepped into a new environment filled with unfamiliar faces and new responsibilities.

The first thing I did this morning was practice my facial expressions so I wouldn’t look intimidating in front of the students. I wanted to appear approachable and friendly. Deep inside, I was hoping that I would get along well with the kids and earn their trust little by little. Since the weather wasn’t good today, I made sure to arrive early to avoid being late and to give myself enough time to prepare mentally.

Upon arrival, we were referred to the Guidance Office for the assignment of teachers, and I was assigned to Ma’am Caang, which made me both nervous and excited. On my first day, I wasn’t able to discuss in front of the class yet, because I was still accompanied by a student teacher (ST). Instead, I carefully observed how the class was handled and how the students responded.

In the afternoon, I assisted the student teachers in handling their subjects and monitoring the class. I found it amusing to discover that most of the students are actually my neighbors. Although they are not that easy to handle, their innocence and simple ways of thinking made my heart soften. Despite the small challenges, my first day ended with a sense of fulfillment and anticipation for the days ahead.

You may be wondering why I chose Education for my work immersion. Well, there are plenty of reasons. First of all, Law is not an option for work immersion in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand. Even though I truly love law, I didn’t have other options since it is only available for Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) students and I'm a STEM student. Secondly, Education has always been my second choice because my mother is also a teacher, and I genuinely enjoy teaching students. Third, Education aligns with my current job as an ESL teacher, so teaching and effective communication are already within my expertise. This means I wouldn’t have to make major adjustments.

Overall, the first day of immersion is so much more satisfying for me because I was able to form and expand my social circle. And I think that's it for now. Have a nice day, my dear Hivers!