by: Lemibel Marie B. Berces
Teacher III, Pawa Elementary School
Music is much more than just a subject taken in public elementary schools; it is a gateway to creativity and self-expression. As a MAPEH teacher, daily, Ma’am Lem reaps from the rewards of guiding young learners through the world of music. With public school teaching comes very different challenges because of limited resources. More than equaled, these challenges fuel a deep passion to put a love for music within every child.
Music, to her, is a language that soars beyond words inside the classroom. From teaching the fundamentals of rhythm using clapping exercises in introducing them to the beauty of singing, each lesson delivers a sense of excitement and discovery. Ma’am Lem believes in the power of music to unleash hidden talents among students, helping their confidence and sense of achievement.
Other times, when instruments are absent, creativity thrives. She incorporates homemade instruments, body percussion, and digital resources to ensure that every student within the lesson is participating fully. Her approach is inclusive so that every child, irrespective of background, feels the rhythm of the lesson. For her, the reward lies when a student’s face lights up because he now understands some new musical concept or performs a piece they have been working hard on. For Ma’am Lem, teaching music in a public elementary school is tantamount to the creation of a harmonious environment wherein every child’s potential can sing.
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