A Successful One

Last March 17, we had our closing program of the Academic Mentoring program. This mentoring program in the Hipodromo Elementary School lasted for ten weeks. I can say that this program is really a success because of the students’ achievement in Math.

At first, it was very hard for them dealing with mathematical problems. They think that Math is a monstrous subject that would scold them if they cannot learn the lessons. They do not know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions. They do not also know how to treat problem-solving questions. They have not even memorized the multiplication. But after ten Saturdays, we can really see their improvement in Math. They are now able to treat different equations without sweat. They also enjoy solving math problems.

I did not think that I could see that big difference in their Math skills. During our sessions, only a few listen to the discussion. Most of them talk to their seatmates and roam around the classroom. Only some participate well in class.

I never thought that they have learned a lot from the mentoring we had. I was really impressed with their performance in the five sets of question we gave them and in the contests during the culminating activity. It is evident that they studied well and they did their best to learn.

I was very proud of my students. During the closing ceremonies, we had two games. The first game was a quiz bowl. There were ten groups composed of five members each. My students that belong to Group 1, with four boy members and one girl member won the contest. I never expected that my students would top in the contest than the other groups.

The second game was patterned after a relay. There were three groups composed of ten members per group. Every student will answer one question in each stage. After answering the first stage, he will proceed to the second stage then to the third one. The first group who will finish the relay wins the game. One of the groups was composed of almost all boys. And some of them were my students. When the game started, there was a tight competition between group two and group three, the one composed by almost all boys. Benjes, one of my students who joined the game was very impressive. He finished the relay in less than a minute without sweat at all. I was also impressed with Roli James who solved the problem with the use of a pencil and the ground as his paper. He wrote his solution on the ground because he wanted to be sure of his answers.

I was very happy with the outcome of this mentoring program. I have helped the students and at the same time, I have helped myself. I was able to reach out to the people who need my help. Even though it already ended, I know the knowledge that I have shared to them will never be erased. And I proudly say that I am part of the mentoring program that turned out as a success.