It may have been a short stint, but it has shaped her big time as a future educator.

Dyna Lyn Rongo, a resident of Brgy. San Isidro Ilaya, General Luna, Quezon and a student of Southern Luzon State University, did not hesitate to enlist as a tutor when she heard about the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program announced in her university.

The Tara Basa! Tutoring Program is a program of the DSWD that engages college students from low-income families in providing 20-day tutorial sessions to elementary students who are struggling readers. 

“Since nasa field naman po ako ng teaching at nalaman ko pong magtuturo sa mga bata, nagpalista po ako agad. Malaking opportunity po ito sa akin para magkaroon ng experience at makatulong rin sa mga bata,” shared Dyna, a student of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies, whose family is also a beneficiary of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Also, as a graduating student at that time (June 2024), she did not want to just stay at home as she knew she would be faced with a lot of expenses including fees for her graduation and review sessions for her licensure examination.

Little did she know at that time, during her enlistment, that some of her expectations will not be met. Nonetheless, her whole experience has still become a very fulfilling one for her.

Teaching parents instead of children

When the program started, Dyna was assigned as a youth development worker for parents and not as a tutor for children.

In the Tara Basa! Tutoring Program, parents of struggling reader-children are also provided with 20-day Nanay-Tatay sessions to capacitate them on various topics and enable them to sustain the tutorial sessions for their children after the program.

Dyna is one of the 313 youth development workers in Quezon Province who provided learning sessions to more than 5,000 parents.

“Bago naman po kami nagsimula ay nagkaroon muna kami ng 2 days na seminar at simulation kung paano magtuturo sa mga magulang,” shared Dyna, who was assigned in Brgy. San Isidro in the nearby town of Catanauan.

Last July 1, she started her sessions for 11 parents.

“Sa bawat session po, may iba’t ibang topic tulad ng pagkakaroon ng magandang relasyon sa mga anak, pagtuturo ng mabuting asal sa mga bata, at kung paano nila matutulungan ang kanilang mga anak sa pag-aaral,” shared Dyna.

Dyna added that she would introduce various activities to the parents so they continue to share their experiences and enjoy while they are learning.

“Sobrang saya po ng aking naging karanasan kasama ang mga parents. Bukod po sa nakapagdagdag ako ng kaalaman sa kanila ay marami rin po akong natutunan sa kanila,” she said.

Helping herself and her family

After her engagement with the program, Dyna received PhP 10,400 financial assistance from the DSWD.

“Ginamit ko ito sa aking pag-enroll sa review centers para sa board exam. Nagpakabit rin ako ng internet connection sa bahay para hindi na ako mahirapan sa pagrereview,” shared Dyna, who graduated as Magna Cum Laude last August. 

More than this money, however, Dyna is grateful for the opportunity to prepare herself for her chosen career.

“Sa programang ito, nahubog ang aking kakayahan tulad ng pagkakaroon ng iba’t ibang pamamaraan sa pagtuturo lalo na at ang aking mga naging kaharap ay mga magulang. Mas lumawak rin ang aking kakayahan na makisalamuha at makipag-ugnayan sa iba,” shared Dyna, who is very fulfilled with her whole experience.

Armed with her short but fruitful experience as a youth development worker, Dyna is more confident that she will become an effective educator in the future.#