Baguio honors volunteer Math teacher
The spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in the Summer Capital.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed city council resolution no. 290, series of 2022, commending Adonis V. Togana for his “timeless efforts of volunteerism in teaching mathematics to students during the pandemic through online and limited face-to-face”.
The city government thru executive order no. 60, series of 2020, suspended classes in all levels for public and private schools in the city due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
It was during the pandemic, the measure stated, that Togana initiated and offered free tutorials in mathematics to students from various barangays.
He is currently a mathematics teacher at Joaquin Smith National High School and has been in the teaching field for 32 years in public and private schools.
“Over the course of his teaching career, he developed methods and strategies in teaching mathematics through games to make the learning experience fun,” the resolution stated.
Togana wrote a book, ‘Let’s Play Math’, that made use of games and strategies for competitive learning endeavors as a medium for teaching mathematics.
These games include polynomial races, geometric bingos, and educational mathematics cards.
“In sharing these among students from Baguio and other places, it was proven that learning mathematics can really be fun with the right innovations and strategies. For the love of teaching mathematics and despite physical and medical challenges, Mr. Togana continues to teach near and far and share to students and mentors alike these strategies of learning mathematics with fun,” the measure stated.
It stressed that his dedication, efforts and contributions as a teacher and civic volunteer brings great honor and pride to the City of Baguio and serves as an inspiration to his colleagues and associates. – Gaby B. Keith