Staff Blog

Twice every school year, the teachers meet with the house parents, child care team, and other staff members to share how each student is doing in school. The small class sizes and many hours spent together make the teachers experts about the children. The teachers know how to inspire the students. They know how to explain the lessons. They know how to meet the children where they are at.

Recently, the first teacher conferences of the year were held. It was great to hear about the strides the students are making. The teachers shared some anecdotes about the children, giving insight into the mind of each child.

• One teenage boy loves drawing and is good at it. However, sometimes he spends too much time on the drawings for an assignment and does not leave enough time for the writing part.
• A preschooler was described by his teacher as having "a lot of potential to learn a lot this year."
• One first grade student recommended a comic book to his teacher. "If you read this teacher, it is funny," he said.
• After a day of vacation, a student confessed to his teacher, "I don't like no class. It is boring to have no learning."

The teachers also shared some of the school work the children of have been doing. The drawings by the kindergarteners and first graders showed how much they have improved in just the first few months of the year. The more difficult books the upper elementary students have been reading show how much they comprehend. It is encouraging from preschool on up!

Here is one student's work "The Lion and the Worm" read by the author, Lerma.

Animals fascinate people of all ages.  Kids four, five, and six years old are no exception.  Many times the third or fourth thing you learn about a kid that age is their favorite animal.  Name, age and possibly favorite color come before their favorite animal.

Preschool and Level A were excited to lead morning meeting because it was all about animals.  They had fun singing and performing a few songs about animals.  They did well and stayed focused throughout.  The Animal Game Show finished off the morning meeting.  Several kids were asked about their favorite animals and gave cute answers.

Check out the highlights of the morning meeting here:

When a new baby is being cradled lovingly in the arms of the person caring for him, we are given a glimpse of being held in the hands of God.

Two weeks ago, a two day old newborn boy came to CSC. This week, a little baby girl joined CSC at about one week old.  They are both in good health, but still they need constant care, just like any newborn baby.  They are fragile, demanding, beautiful, and completely dependent. 

We are babies to God.  We need constant care even when we are in the best place in our lives and doing the very best we can.  With God’s hands to guide and protect us, we can do amazing things.  Actually, God does amazing things through us. 

It is humbling to care for a newborn baby.  A baby's potential is vast and we can be a part of fulfilling that potential.  God wants to use us to fulfill His plans. 

Last Friday was National Teacher's Day!  What a great day to be reminded of the many blessings we have in our talented faculty.  It made me think of what makes a good teacher...well, good.  All I had to do was watch our teachers in action and the answers are all there.

A good teacher...

gives their students a voice

prays over them

leads by example

strategizes with them

gives them the stage sometimes

lends a helping hand

motivates them to try

loves them

cheers them on

rewards their effort

and makes learning fun!

We have better than good teachers at Cebu Children of Hope School----we have phenomenal teachers!  Please remember them in your prayers for CSC and I hope that you say an extra prayer for all teachers everywhere.  Their job is a very tough, but oh so important one and they need God's strength in all that they do.

Art time is commonly one of the favorites of students around here. This is the time the students get to express themselves and release the inner artist. In art, there are open-ended and boundless creative possibilities.

Group 3A kids were eager and excited to have their art class, because they had missed it for three straight weeks due to scheduling conflicts. When I announced to the class what they were going to do, they were thrilled.

I set up the working area outdoors hoping they could connect with nature and get an inspiration while doing primary color painting.  The frenzied students wanted to start right away each using a set of primary color paints with 3 brushes and 1 piece of white paper.

At first, some students were capricious and dubious of what they were going to do or make.  Were they going to mix the colors to create new ones or work only with the primary colors?  But after a moment they were overflowing with ideas. 

  It's so neat to see what they can do on their own.  Each a work of art indeed!  

- Jae Ann Labra, Level C Teacher