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Fostering Self-Mastery: How RIS Teachers Cultivate Independent Learners

Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Fostering Self-Mastery: How RIS Teachers Cultivate Independent Learners

How do RIS teachers foster self-mastery for independent learners?

  1. Emphasizing Social-Emotional Learning
  2. Developing life skills
  3. Cultivating a supportive environment
  4. Encouraging active participation
  5. Fostering intrinsic motivation

Overview

  • Self-mastery is the ability to manage thoughts, emotions, and actions, essential for independent learning.
  • At Reedley International School (RIS), this is nurtured through Social-Emotional Learning, life skills development, a supportive environment, active participation, and intrinsic motivation.
  • RIS builds a foundation for both academic success and personal growth, preparing students for future challenges.

Self-mastery is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions—a crucial skill for developing independent learners. It empowers students to take control of their learning journey, build resilience, and approach challenges with confidence and self-discipline.

At Reedley International School, self-mastery is an essential part of our educational approach. Through a variety of strategies, our teachers ensure that students become not only academically proficient but also emotionally intelligent and socially responsible.

Here’s how our teachers at Reedley International School encourage self-mastery for independent learners.

Emphasizing Social-Emotional Learning

Emphasizing Social-Emotional Learning

We place a strong focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) to help your child grow into a confident, resilient, and empathetic individual. SEL focuses on building five key skills: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These skills help students recognize their emotions, understand how they influence behavior, and manage challenges with confidence.

We concentrate on the five key areas of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. By weaving these principles into our curriculum, we help students manage stress, understand their emotions, and develop empathy for others. This foundation is critical for self-mastery, empowering students to navigate challenges effectively.

Our teachers also incorporate SEL principles into different subjects to show how emotional intelligence connects to everyday life. This approach ensures that socio-emotional skills are relevant across various contexts, enhancing the learning experience for everyone.

Developing Life Skills

At Reedley International School, we understand that self-mastery for independent learners is valuable. As the first school in the Philippines to integrate a dedicated Life Skills subject into our curriculum, we equip students with essential tools such as critical thinking, decision-making, resilience, and social awareness—skills they can use to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

Our Life Skills curriculum is designed to empower students to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions. Practical skills like time management and effective study habits help students take ownership of their academic responsibilities.

Aligned with the CASEL framework, we focus on five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. These competencies guide students not only in their academic journey but also in managing their emotions and building positive interactions with others.

Through hands-on activities, our teachers help students practice emotional regulation and resilience in real-world situations. This approach supports the development of self-mastery, preparing students to become independent, confident learners ready to face future challenges.

Cultivating a Supportive Environment

A supportive environment at Reedley allows students to express themselves and take learning risks. Emphasizing kindness and compassion, we help build healthy relationships and facilitate personal growth. Our strict anti-bullying policies and culture of respect ensure a safe, bully-free space, supporting well-being and self-mastery.

We also prioritize smaller class sizes, ensuring personalized attention that allows teachers to understand each student’s unique needs, strengths, and challenges. This approach promotes self-awareness and growth while encouraging open communication.

Our educators foster supportive relationships by being approachable and attentive, creating a sense of belonging and security that is vital for emotional growth and independence. Teachers encourage students to engage in reflective practices, helping them assess their progress and identify areas for improvement. This reflection strengthens self-awareness and critical thinking, empowering students to take charge of their learning journeys.

Encouraging Active Participation

Encouraging Active Participation

At Reedley, we use the Synergized Learning Approach to encourage active participation through collaborative projects and inquiry-based learning. This method not only enhances critical thinking but also helps students learn from one another, promoting independence as they navigate group dynamics.

Our approach combines the best of both progressive and traditional education, focusing on critical thinking, collaboration, and active participation. Through project-based and inquiry-based learning, students take initiative in their education, fostering ownership and self-mastery as they dive deeply into their studies.

We also promote student leadership through initiatives like the Student Council and community service activities. By taking on leadership roles, students develop crucial skills such as responsibility, communication, and teamwork. These experiences empower them to take charge of their learning and make meaningful contributions to their school community.

To accommodate different learning styles and interests, our teachers provide a variety of activities such as creative projects, performances, and problem-solving tasks. These opportunities allow students to express their unique perspectives and talents, boosting engagement and confidence as they see the value of their contributions.

Fostering Intrinsic Motivation

Cultivating a passion for learning is key to developing independent learners. Teachers inspire students by showing enthusiasm for the subject matter and helping them see the benefits of their learning journey. This approach results in intrinsic motivation, encouraging students to rely on their inner drive rather than external rewards.

Reedley emphasizes personalized education tailored to each student’s interests and strengths, promoting engagement and intrinsic motivation. By connecting learning to personal goals, students are more likely to take accountability in their education. Reedley advocates a growth mindset, encouraging effort, resilience, and learning from mistakes. This approach helps students view challenges as opportunities for growth, boosting their motivation to persevere and succeed.

Key Takeaway

Reedley enables self-mastery and independent learning by providing a supportive environment and emphasizing key skills. This approach builds academic success, confidence, and independence, preparing students for future challenges.

Ensure your child receives holistic education at Reedley International School, where we focus on academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and self-mastery. Reach out to us today and discover how our nurturing environment can help your child thrive, both in and out of the classroom!

Announcements

  • February 18, 2022

    Reedley International School, SAT Test Center 74946, is OPEN for the March 12, 2022 Test Administration. Please click here for more information.

  • September 7, 2021

    Reedley International School, SAT Test Center 74946, is CLOSED for the October 2, 2021 Test Administration. Please click here for more information.

Founded in 1999, RIS is a private, non-sectarian, non-traditional, co-educational school in Pasig City, Metro Manila with the mission and vision of nurturing globally competent and kind students in a happy and caring environment.

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