Q&A with our ELMC Fellow, Ms. Rorich Saura
The Educational Leadership and Management Course (ELMC) is a 7-month program for the Department of Education Region IX’s ALS Supervisors, the Schools Division ALS Focal Persons and Education Program Specialists for ALS (EPSA).
One of the fellows, Ms. Rorich Saura, Education Program Specialist for ALS shares with us her experience in the course.
As an ALS implementer, how were you able to adjust to the changes brought about by the global health crisis?
The transition from brick-and-mortar school or Community Learning Center (CLC) to independent learning was never been easy. Though modular approach is not new to us since this is our traditional way of conducting our learning session, but the absence of face-to-face classes is what our teachers and learners are struggling with.
For learners with smartphones, like what other teachers did, our implementers are using the technology and different social media platforms to communicate with the learners.
For learners who are “no tech,” our teachers are giving due consideration & extension if the learners can’t finish the modules on scheduled time especially during retrieval, otherwise our learners will disengage from our program if they can feel too much pressure from the teachers since literacy is no longer a primary concern to our learners who are already parents. So patience here is a necessity.
Why did you decide to join the Educational Leadership and Management Course?
I decided to join ELMC becauseI know deep down within me that what I’ve learned previously is not enough. And I can’t say No to ELMC becauseI know that this program is beneficial to me in handling my direct reports
What were your expectations for this program?
What I expect prior to my engagement in this program is that this course will definitely help me in honing & developing my skill to lead and manage people especially the teachers under my care.
How’s your experience so far in the program?
After ELMC, I feel that my self-esteem is getting high and rose to a crescendo which made me more confident in handling & dealing with a situation that calls for its application.
“This course will definitely help me in honing & developing my skill to lead and manage people especially the teachers under my care.”
How can you apply the lessons you learned in the ELMC?
I plan to pilot test some important things which are beneficial to the ALS program. I will ask the assistance of the Master teachers within my area of responsibility to help me to carry out the plan. The full-blown implementation will follow after we see the impact of that pilot test.
What’s your message to your future self and to your co-fellows of the ELMC program?
Let’s continue to open up ourselves to whatever learning opportunities that are winking on us because that’s where we will grow as a person & as an educator. Let passion fuel our work towards our learners. Let’s continue to work with or without recognition, because when we love our work everything else, like promotion and great opportunities, will surely follow.
“Let’s continue to work with or without recognition, because when we love our work everything else, like promotion and great opportunities, will surely follow.”
What are your key takeaways and realizations from the program?
My realization is, leading people is always a challenging task wherein the demand of upgrading our knowledge & skills on how to do it right or effectively is very high. Thanks to ELMC because this course definitely upgraded me.
Ms. Sauras is one of the 30 fellows of the ELMC. The course aims to train ALS supervisors on Quality Teaching and Learning, Understanding ALS 2.0 Curriculum Design and Its Implementation, and on Academic Leadership and Supervision.