PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) held a seminar to discuss global perspectives on special education, inviting basic education teachers for a two-day event on September 23-24, 2024. The seminar was part of DNSC’s extension project, “Skill Up Teaching Strategies: Training on Designing, Adapting, and Implementing Teaching Strategies for Learners with Disabilities, Giftedness, and Talents”.

On the first day, Dr. Honey Lyn P. Valentos, an alumna of DNSC’s Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management and a Master Teacher from Manay National High School, shared narratives from teachers facilitating special education in the Davao Region.

“The key highlights of my topic are inclusive education and the conduct of proper assessment to be able to provide proper interventions for learners. Head teachers are encouraged to be creative in facilitating inclusive education and tailor fit teaching strategies to the instructional needs of students,” mentioned Dr. Valentos in a brief interview after her talk.

Following Dr. Valentos, Dr. Kathrina T. Tana, another PhDEM alumna and Cultural Exchange Special Education Teacher at Mater Academy East in Nevada, discussed special education programs and practices in the United States. Panabo Central Elementary School Principal IV Renelyn F. Antalan also shared her experiences managing a SPED Center.

Teachers from the PCES SPED Center coveyed their experiences working with students who require Filipino and American Sign Languages, as well as those with visual impairments, autism spectrum disorders, and intellectual disabilities.

The second day of the seminar focused on holistic approaches to special education. Speakers addressed the classification of learners in the US, introduced a multifactor assessment tool, and discussed the accommodation and intensification of inclusive education. The seminar concluded with participants and facilitators visiting the PCES SPED Center.

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