‘Teacher Talk’

It was an enriching and beautiful afternoon at the Arts and Sciences Hall of the University of the Philippines Cebu last Friday, October 25, 2024, when former teachers, students, and alumni gathered for the book launch of ‘Teacher Talk: Reflections from the Frontlines.’

I had the opportunity and honor of reading an excerpt from an essay by my former high school Social Studies teacher, Atty. Lourdes U. Barcenas. Her essay was one of 17 by various teachers, compiled in a book edited by Dr. Lelani Echaves-Paredes and Dr. Fe Anastacia N. Reyes.

It was a simple yet stirring book launch, emceed by Jae Mari Magdadaro, a UP Cebu High School alumna and now the HRDO head of UP Cebu. In the open forum that followed, profound minds spoke in unadorned words, leaving an impact on the audience as we reflected on the challenges of today’s educational environment.

Dr. Echaves-Paredes set the tone for the event, anchoring it with a story that underscored the book’s purpose. She explained that the book project started after some of the authors saw a TikTok video featuring a teacher recording herself as she chastised a student while the class was going on. The video lasted longer than one could bear. “We were all appalled at the sight, asking ourselves, ‘What’s happening to some teachers? That’s not just the way it should be done,’" Dr. Echaves-Paredes said. And so this book came to be, driven by a desire to provide a sourcebook of teaching experiences, experiments with strategies and techniques, lessons learned, and insights gathered from years in the classroom.

Of the 17 writers, all connected to UP Cebu, three retired as professors emeritus from the institution, and six are alumni of UP High. Eight authors consistently earned high marks in faculty evaluations, and five were honored with the Tatak UP Awards from the alumni association. The book is funded by the UP Alumni Association Cebu Chapter, with UP Cebu as its institutional partner.

Reflecting on the book launch event as well as on the book itself, I was struck by how these addressed many of the questions I’ve grappled with as a teacher in this age of information. As I wrote in previous articles, technology is upending the educational setup, even to the point where we, as teachers, sometimes question the relevance of our own roles amidst generative AI advancements.

Though the essays in the book capture teaching experiences from the 1970s through the early 2000s, the values these teachers upheld --integrity, dedication, and a commitment to scholarship and inclusive perspective-- are still relevant today.

‘Teacher Talk’ felt like a gift from the older generation, handing down a timeless piece of work --something filled with enduring values yet practical insights that resonate across generations. The book doesn’t just recount openly about the authors’ own struggles and triumphs as teachers; it inspires us to carry forward a legacy of integrity, dedication, and purpose.

In today’s fast changing educational landscape, ‘Teacher Talk’ serves as an anchor, grounding us in the depth and authenticity that defined the teaching profession in earlier times. It is a source of inspiration, reminding today’s teachers that, despite new challenges of digital technology and generative AI, the core mission of teaching remains powerful and deeply human.

Despite the appeal of rapid consumption, instant answers and ego-driven viral content in today’s digital information environment, there is profound worth in the multifaceted, thoughtful, and deeply human work that teachers do. And it is precisely this sense of purpose that the book ‘Teacher Talk’ aims to pass on to its readers.

Interested buyers may contact 09177003494.