DC-Area Filipino teachers upgrade tech skills at PH Embassy training

Participants in the Professional Development Training on Upgrading Computer Skills and Instructional Technology Education with Labor Attaché Saul De Vries, Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado, and their trainer Ivan Gonzales at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy on July 15. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, DC – Filipino teachers and educators from various school districts in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia upgraded their computer and tech instruction skills at a recent training session in the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy.

The Philippine Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) and with the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators – Washington DC (UNIFFIED-DC), hosted the Professional Development Training on Upgrading Computer Skills and Instructional Technology Education for Filipino teachers on July 15.

Ivan Gonzales, economic assistant at the Embassy, conducted the training, sharing his knowledge on useful and practical techniques in working with computer programs such as PowerPoint and Excel.

“The computer literacy program is part of our effort to contribute to the continuing professional development of the members of the Filipino community. It is meant to facilitate new learning to enable them to keep pace with the developments in their work environment,” said Labor Attaché Saul De Vries.

Ivan Gonzales (center) economic assistant of the Philippine Embassy conducted the training on computer skills upgrading for Filipino teachers from the Washington, DC area. CONTRIBUTED

Labor Attaché De Vries also administered the oath of the new set of officers and board members of UNIFFIED-DC.

“This Professional Development Training is in line with UNIFFIED’s mission and vision of providing continuing training towards excellence in education both in the United States and the Philippines,” said Rey Dacul, newly elected President of UNIFFIED-DC.

Filipino teachers who attended the training are working in various school districts in the area and teaching in various fields of specialization such as English Language Arts (ELA), Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Special Education (SPED), and Early Childhood Education (ECE).