Learning from leaders the Teach for the Philippines way

MANILA, Philippines - The goal is to provide Filipino children with inclusive, relevant and excellent education.

In an effort to expand its advocacy of helping improve students’ education by harnessing knowledge of leaders as teachers, Teach for the Philippines recruited key leaders in both the public and private sectors to become guest teachers in several partner schools.

Through Teach for the Philippines Week, guest teachers were tasked to teach subjects ranging from Math and English to HEKASI (Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, and Sibika) and MAPEH (Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health) in a chosen partner school.

Among the guest teachers invited for this year’s Teach for the Philippines Week celebration was Yati Abdullah, country manager of DHL Express Philippines.

“We are very busy with our corporate life. Every day we look at a lot of things – numbers, business. It’s always great for someone to take a step back and take some time to really give back to the community,” Abdullah said.

Together with teacher fellow Karleen Zambas, Abdullah taught English to Grade 3 students of the Nueve de Pebrero Elementary School in Mandaluyong City. The school is one of the most densely populated elementary schools in Mandaluyong City with a total of 3,721 enrolled students.

Other Teach for the Philippines Week guest teachers during the year included ABS-CBN News broadcaster Ginger Conejero, Miss Universe 4th Runner-Up 2010 Venus Raj, HSBC Philippines chief operating officer John Nicholls, Biñan City mayor Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat, and Globe prepaid sales vice president Issa Cabreira.