A Principal’s 'Shattered Dreams'

 SORSOGON CITY - June 25, 2012, 9:20 p.m., must be the saddest and tragic alumni homecoming celebration for the faculty of San Juan Elementary School, Bacon District, when bullets snuffed out the life of their beloved principal.

     Romeo P. Diamsin, 40, Principal of said school, was brain dead even before he was rushed to three hospitals. He expired at BRTTH in Albay, days after he was gunned down by still unidentified gunman.

     In life, you rarely received the praise you absolutely deserve. But in death, you received all the praises.

     Principal Romeo has been an integral part of the school for many years.

      A man of dedication, commitment, knowledge and experience. A Principal who was determined to make San Juan Elementary School, a better school. He had so many great ideas; he was someone who was ready to make his students better students.

     I do not personally know Principal Romeo, as a matter of fact, he was just one of the many victims that I often write about in my news item; a subject I often report during my live reporting over my outlet radio station.

     So, how come I am paying tribute to a man I didn’t know?

     During my coverage of the shooting incident, I visited twice the wake of Principal Romeo in his residence, and nicely placed on top of his coffin is a frame with some ‘writings’ on it. So, I read it.

     What was written on it was Principal Romeo’s “Big Dreams.” His dreams for his students and their parents, his dreams for his school, for his teachers and subordinates, and even for the school’s community.

     A ‘big dream’ that was shattered by a single bullet on his head.

     Let me share with you Principal Romeo’s “shattered dreams” (written in toto below):

MY SUPERVISORY PLATFORM

Pupil Outcome

I believe in the biblical passage that says: “Train of the child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

As educators, it should be our role to mold and educate our pupils to be independent. Develop their volitional talent and skills. Pupils who could not only read, but comprehend. Pupils who could not only count, but solve problems. Pupils who are globally aware, peaceful, value laden and good steward of nature and pupils who are functionally literate and productive individuals ready to face small challenges in life.

Instructional Climate

The school is said to be the second home of the pupils. As a school head, I will see to it that the school will have a child-friendly environment so that pupils will feel at home and will be encourage going to school regularly. They should feel that their teachers and administrators are their second parents and real friends as well as the school as their second home. I will see to it that classrooms are in good condition, well ventilated, clean, with updated classroom structures, with functional SLRC, and the very important are the friendly, motherly and well prepared teachers. The office will have a complete and well organized school EMIS. The school surroundings should be free from hazards, cultivated flowering plants and vegetable garden, waste are properly segregated and the school will have a friendly and harmonious relationship with the community and with other stakeholders.

Teaching and Learning

Transfer of learning could be done not only inside the classrooms and in school premises, but even outside the school. I will encourage the teachers to conduct home visitation to follow up the child with the help of the parents. I will see to it that parents are part of teaching and learning process by affixing their signatures in every home work of their children and called their attention if necessary to improve their academic performance. I will also see to it that the PTCA is part of planning and implement of this DepEd and school programs and projects to increase the academic performance of the school. Conduct regular classrooms monitoring and observations to assess teaching strategies and techniques of teachers and give suggestions and recommendations if necessary to reach the point of mastery level. Learning Outcomes will be evaluated as bases of conducting of teaching intervention.

Learning and Governance

My school governance is through empowering teachers to function as instructional managers and implement DepEd thrust and school programs and projects. I will see to it that trust and confidence, unity, cooperation and harmonious relationship to each and every school personnel, parents, community and to other stakeholders be properly observed. This goal will be realized through transparet and participative way of leadership. The stakeholders are encouraged to give suggestions and recommendations as long as it is for the welfare of the school and each clientele. Regular PTCA meetings will be conducted to inform them of the DepEd and school programs and projects and to report pupil’s academic performance in every grade level. Regular supervision and monitoring will be conducted and teachers will be sent to attend seminars and workshop to enhance their knowledge and different teaching strategies and techniques as part of their professional growth. Exercise transparency, correct use of physical resources and encouraging networking with other stakeholders will be given with preferential attention.

Concluding statement

I believe that through democratic and transparent way of leadership will encourage cooperation and harmonious relationship between administrators, subordinates and stakeholders. Through collaborative efforts of the stakeholders of the school will produce a responsible, value laden, God loving, good steward of nature and functionally literate individuals.

SIGNED: Romeo P. Diamsin  

    

For you Principal Romeo, your contribution to the ethos of San Juan Elementary School, will remain for many years to come.

THE EARTH IS BLESSED WITH YOU IN IT AND NOW IT IS HEAVEN’S TURN. (MHatoc/PIA Sorsogon)