One hundred seventy-two (172) students (Class 2022-2023), candidates for Teaching Internship of Cebu Technological University Danao Campus’ College of Education, Arts and Sciences (CTU – DC CEAS) commemorated the 18th Pinning and Candle-lighting Ceremony to prepare for their teaching journey with the theme “Back on Track: The Embodiment of Pre-Service Educators as the Torch Bearers of Knowledge, Dignity, and Service” held at Kadasig Gym last February 17, Friday.
Teachers and Pre-Service Educators from different programs offered in CEAS —BEED, BTLED, and BSED Major in Math, Science, Social Studies, and English— were gathered, along with their respective parents, guardians, and sponsors who served as their companions who placed the institution’s official identification pin on the left side of their practice teaching uniforms as they walk across the path of becoming the catalysts of change.
CEAS also welcomed pre-service teachers to glimpse what it is like to become professional educators and set to render their quality domains on their assigned schools for teaching internships to students, mentors, co-practice teachers, and the environment.
“I wanted to apply what I have learned: the skills of teaching, the pedagogies in learning for almost four (4) years… These reasons are just ‘icing in practice teaching’… Because reality goes like this, mangluag ang imong uniform.” said Dr. Graham-Wilberforce in an inspirational message as she reminisced the experiences of the previous practice teachers, which awakened the new candidates for teaching internship, batch 2023.
Moreover, she highlighted the phrase, “Practice teaching is not a walk in the park; it is a walk in Jurassic Park.” She continued to utter her speech for the new candidates to be guided and reminded of the reality of teaching.
Dr. Lislee C. Valle, the new Dean of CEAS, also delivered a speech explaining the significance of pinning and candle lighting to the pre-service educators.
“It is a symbolic ceremony denoting a milestone in an Educator’s life… symbolizes a profound commitment to the work and relationship… between the teacher and the student, family, community, and society. Teaching Profession is life-long learning,” said Dr. Valle, concerning the significance of the ceremony. “The Candle-lighting signifies your acceptance of the challenge of a teaching profession. As the light of the candle flickers, the hope of this nation also flickers through you. It is a universal symbol for the life of knowledge. The Pin signifies your association with the university. It represents your affiliation with the honorable Profession of teaching.” she continued to expound on the event’s relevance, as mentioned earlier.
According to Ms. Zanoria, one of the candidates for the teaching internship, “Layo pa ta, pero layo na ta”, during the ceremony’s closing remarks. It was a memorable day as the products of CEAS officially hailed as Student-Teachers of CTU – Danao Campus.
Words by Reyvan Guinita- BSED English 4A- Day Class