CAMPUS TOUR. American Center Manila director Xavier Lara (third from right) and information resource associate Randolf Mariano (second from right) made a courtesy call to Xavier Ateneo JHS principal Dr Pamela Pajente (center). Also in this photo are Estrella Cabudoy (director, XU Libraries), Athena Jaca (American Corner CDO librarian), Anito Librando (JHS registrar and USG alumnus), Michael Dave Tan (IT specialist) and Lea Lilibeth Emata (AP for academics). Supplied photo.
Xavier Ateneo Junior High School welcomed the representatives from the American Center Manila of the US Embassy in the Philippines Public Affairs Section for a campus tour last July 16. American Center Manila director Xavier Lara and information resource associate Randolf Mariano were accompanied by XU Libraries director Estrella Cabudoy and American Corner Cagayan de Oro librarian Athena Jaca.
As the premier Microsoft Showcase School in Mindanao, Xavier Ateneo JHS hosts events and tours to show innovative teaching in action. Microsoft Showcase Schools are a global community of schools engaged in innovative changes to improve teaching and learning using Microsoft’s K-12 Education Transformation Framework. To date, there are 2,200 Showcase Schools around the world and 7 in the entire Philippines.
The guests visited four classes in English, Mathematics, and Computer conducted in the Learning Resource Center, Computer and Language Laboratories.
Mariano and Lara, after their tour, presented to XUJHS the various programs, activities, and opportunities that their center provides around the country.
ENGLISH CLASS. The guests observe an English class integrating technology conducted in the school’s Learning Resource Center (LRC). Supplied photo.
“This first school tour was an opportunity for Xavier Ateneo JHS to showcase its best practices not just on the use of Microsoft technologies but also on how technology has been integrated into daily activities and instruction,” said information technology specialist Michael Dave Tan.
“This also gives us a chance to welcome other communities by opening the school for teacher training programs, such as the Microsoft Education Ambassador's Adopt-a-School Program, Tan added. "We are hopeful that this school tour would create more linkages for the better development of 21st-century learning."
Assistant principal for academics Lea Lilibeth Emata shared: “The US Embassy American Center visit creates an expansion of opportunities and new ways of bringing innovation in our school through their diverse programs, events, and educational support through the American Spaces. This linkage brings faculty development initiatives to new heights as hosts of future Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) camps."
Emata added: "This also gives the school more opportunities for Kalimuhagan, our school's outreach program through the teacher-training program to Bukidnon Jesuit Mission Schools and our Tulong Dunong public partner schools. Thus, the enriching and meaningful conversation with the US Embassy American Center is an essential part in continuing the school transformation ensuring that all students can achieve their full potential as we prepare them for their future.”
PROBLEM-SOLVING. Randolf Mariano (standing, left) and Xavier Lara (standing, center) witness students solve mathematical problems in one of the labs on campus. Photo Jasmine Luisa Enriquez.
Principal Dr Pamela Pajente hopes that the said programs would help "prepare our students to become future-ready."
She said, "There is an influx of knowledge and skills acquisition for them to be more innovative, creative and responsive according to the needs of the times and so we are grateful to our partners like Microsoft and now with the American Center Manila."∎
AMERICAN CENTER MANILA. Randolf Mariano (second from right) and Xavier Lara (rightmost) present the projects and programs of American Center Manila to the XUJHS administrators. Supplied photo.