My name is Portia. Teaching has been my life and my all. In my more than 30 years of classroom teaching, my students have become doctors, artists, engineers, lawyers, nurses, teachers, scientists, etc, and until now I still connect with some of them through email. One thing very heartening to hear is that they still call me "Teacher".
I finished my Bachelors Degree in Education at Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines, Major in English and Minor in Mathematics. Then I pursued my Masters in Education at Villaflores College, Philippines, Major in Guidance and Counseling, Minor in Administration and Supervision. I spent 25 years in the classroom before I was promoted as Secondary School Principal at the Regional Science High School in Dumaguete City. I served the Dumaguete Regional Science High School as Guidance Counselor for two years and as Principal for three years.
I had the opportunity to study abroad as a government scholar to the Regional Language Center (RELC) in Singapore, to take a Course Work in Language Testing and Module Writing. This course was very beneficial to both teachers and staff in our school because I trained them how to write improved test items in language and using the techniques in Module Writing to improve their lesson plans.
In 2004, I decided to retire early so I could the see the other part of the world, the Philippines being in the Far East, so here I am now in the West, particularly in the State of Texas. I still would want to teach, so I took the State Board for Educators. I did pass it and got a Standard Certificate for Grades 4-8 on English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR)
Unfortunately, I never got a spot in the ISDs. I had the chance to teach in Dallas for a year, but location wise, it was too stressful for me, having to brave the heavy traffic everyday. I'm hoping that I'd be able to teach or tutor part time with Wyzant and become a teacher once more.