Teaching Across Cultures

            "It's better to take a chance and try, than to live with the regret of never attempting." Madayaw Davao! I am Rogie Mae A. Villarte taking a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics at Davao del Sur State College, Matti Digos City Davao del Sur Philippines​"Since elementary school, I’ve always loved participating in any contest related to mathematics. I enjoyed solving math problems, which led me to become a contestant at the division level during Math Quest.  During high school, I'm not only experienced being a mathematics quizzer and Sudoku player but also had the opportunity to be a student teacher and even serve as the head counselor of the guidance office. This was possible because our school implemented a program that allowed teachers to rest for a week before and during Teachers' Day. This experience is one of the reasons why I developed a passion for teaching mathematics. It not only helped me understand how fascinating the world of numbers is, but also illuminated the importance of the subject in our daily lives.

     Recently, while we were in the midst of our observation period, our institute dean announced that our school would participate in a program implemented by SEAMEO. This was our school’s first time joining such a program. After a lengthy process that included passing an interview and a test, the Institute of Teacher Education selected the students who would participate. Fortunately, I was included in the official list of exchange students for Indonesia, which offers a wide range of opportunities. This experience will allow me to immerse myself in a new culture and expand my skills as a future teacher.