Husband and wife team trains teachers for free

Jelson Capilos gives tips on how teachers can become better public speakers. PHOTO BY RISSA CAMONGOL

Motivated by a passion for education, this husband-and-wife tandem left their corporate day jobs to start up a company providing personal and professional enhancement services.

EducAid Professional Services and Events Management, run by Jelson Capilos and Hya Bibit-Capilos, started in 2008 as a company offering tutorial services. It has since developed into a provider of training programs, workshops and seminars on professional and personality improvement.

This year, through the help of clients and sponsors, EducAid has began offering monthly seminars, trainings, and workshops to public school teachers for free, making it different from other training centers.

A college lecturer and a professional speaker, Jelson said many documentaries on issues hounding the public school system like the low pay for teachers and lack of school facilities have been produced, but not enough attention has been given to the professional development of teachers.

Raised by public school-educated parents, Hya, who works online as a human resources manager for a Netherlands-based firm, said the lack of resources was one hurdle in the teachers’ pursuit to improve themselves.

She said her mother, a former public school teacher, wanted to take up masteral studies but wasn’t able to do so because of lack of funds. “I went through the experience of selling native sausages and rice cakes to earn extra income,” she recalled.

The couple believe that helping public school teachers build confidence in themselves will not only result in their professional growth and financial success but also contribute to the improvement of the public school education system.

QUIRINO High School’s Jacqueline Sonza (left) at EducAid’s presentation skills seminar with Jelson and Hya Capilos. PHOTO BY RISSA CAMONGOL

In EducAid’s “From Conscious to Confident” presentation skills seminar held on Oct. 22, for example, Jelson gave the participants exercises to help them express their personal and career goals while teaching them practical tips on how to be better public speakers.

In one activity, the participants were asked to fill out a “certificate of entitlement,”  where they were supposed to complete the sentence, “I am entitled to …”

Jacqueline Sonza, a Physics teacher from Quirino High School, could not be more direct: She said she was entitled to be the future principal of their school.

Retired employee Monina Mena, a volunteer teacher to children in the slums of Malabon City, on the other hand, said she was looking forward to a political career which would give her more opportunity to serve her community.

Jelson gave tips on how to do effective presentations, such as using the appropriate word and body language.

Games and discussions interjected in between lectures made the seminar more enjoyable and lively.

Most of the participants turned in positive feedback about the seminar.

On her feedback form, Shiela Anne Fragata of Signal Village National High School said the seminar was “very helpful. I gained additional knowledge and insight to improve my presentation skills.”

Jelson said they spread the word about their free educational programs through their relatives, friends and barangay officials.

They also have a website and accounts on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

Some of the teacher-participants, like Sonza, found out about EducAid by searching for free seminars on the Internet.

The couple have big plans for the teachers, like hosting a two-day event on Teachers’ Day next year.

A whole day of seminars and “pampering” sessions for teachers, Hya envisions it to be a day of celebration. “Bigay natin yung karapat-dapat na tribute sa kanila (We should pay them the tribute they deserve).”

They also hope to build a public library in Fairview, Quezon City. Hya said they will be launching a book drive next month and set up drop-off points for book donations.

Jelson said EducAid, hopefully, can also offer more training programs and workshops on various topics such as photography, sales and information technology.

A  quote from one of his personal heroes, US President Barack Obama, serves as inspiration in what they do:

“At some level, your individual salvation depends on collective salvation. It’s only when you hitch yourself to something bigger than you that you’re going to realize your full potential, and the world will benefit from that potential.”

Believing that excellence begins in yourself  is their own small contribution to nation-building, said the young couple.

Said Jelson: “By helping teachers become more competitive professionals, we hope students will become more inspired and interested in doing well in school.”

Visit www.educaidevents.com.