Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 16) — A Filipino teacher in Phoenix, Arizona has been recognized for effectively using music and culture in educating his students in science and other related subjects.
John Carlo Tulinao is among the recipients of this year’s Shell Urban Science Educator Development Award, which provides support for “outstanding diverse educators in pursuit of professional development” according to awarding body, the National Science Teaching Association.
“This award is not just a reminder of what I’m doing as a teacher but also…reflects my journey as a Filipino,” educator John Carlo Tulinao told CNN Philippines on Wednesday, noting being a Filipino is a gift and privilege he must capitalize on.
Tulinao, a first grade Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) teacher at the Amberlea Elementary School, recounted how his superintendent tapped him to create a program that uses music as a “springboard” to academic learning after seeing him teach subjects in a musical manner.
“It was a challenge to me at all because how are you going to use music in teaching technology and engineering and science and math?” said the educator, recounting his initial struggle with executing what was asked of him.
Luckily, Tulinao was able to look back on his past experiences and realized the answer was right in front of him: the culture of the Kalinga people.
“Music to them is a part of their daily lives. When they plant crops, they sing. When they need to heal somebody, they sing,” said the educator. “They do not isolate the concept of music to what they are doing.”
This different perspective empowered Tulinao to create the curriculum he wanted to come up with.
“Music has science; music has math; music has physics. And if I’m going to ask my students to create something, that is engineering. That makes the subject more meaningful to my student and also to me as an educator because I love what I’m doing,” he mused.
The National Science Teaching Association announced in April the recipients of its 2021 NSTA Teacher Awards program, which honors K–12 educators for outstanding work and achievement in science education.
