Ronnielly V. Demafeliz: Journey to Success in the Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) 2023 Interview

April 2023 Special Professional Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers Board Passer: An Interview with Ronnielly V. Demafeliz

This interview features a Teachers-Specialists Organization Kuwait (TSOK) board passer, Ronnielly V. Demafeliz, shares her experience and journey in passing the board exam back in 2023.

Here’s an up close and personal interview with Ronnielly V. Demafeliz:

How do you feel about receiving the news that you passed the board exam?

Ronnielly shared that she felt shocked, happy, and thankful upon receiving the news of passing the board exam.

Have you received such recognition before? Please give details.

She received recognition as a consistent honor student and Dean’s lister from kindergarten until her secondary school. However, her academic journey took a turn when she became a working student to support her studies during her 1st and 2nd years in college.

What is your job here in Kuwait? How long have you been OFW?

She has been a household worker in Kuwait for almost 11 years, with 9 years served with her recent employer in Kuwait and 2 years in Singapore from 2012 to 2014.

Who do you attribute your success to?

She attributes her success to her parents and family, who stood by her through ups and downs, believed in her, and inspired her to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.

Who has inspired you to take up SPLE?

Her parents and family, including her husband and son, inspired her to take up the exam. The motivation was to repay them for their support throughout her journey.

What were the reactions of your family to this board’s passing?

She shared that her husband and parents were overjoyed and proud of her upon learning that she passed the board exam. The moment was priceless for her.

To what extent was TSOK helpful in your success story?

She expressed gratitude to the TSOK family, highlighting their significant help and blessings throughout the SPLE process. From facilitating requirements to keeping everyone updated, TSOK played a vital role.

What is your plan for the future or your dream after passing this exam?

Her plan after passing the exam is to apply in SPIMS while in Kuwait. She aspires to teach upon returning to the Philippines after finishing her contract.

Is this your first licensure exam? Do you plan on taking other exams, and what would it be?

This was her first licensure exam, and she has no plans to take other exams. Her focus is on practicing her teaching profession.

What message would you like to give to the upcoming board exam taker?

My message for those who would like to take up the SPLE in the coming years is to believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams, no matter how painful or difficult your journey is. Success takes sweat, determination, and hard work before you reach the peak. And lastly, the best thing to do is to pray because God truly listens.

How did you know about the SPLE?

She learned about the exam through the FB page of the PRC, staying updated about their posts. Upon seeing the announcement for the SPLE in the Middle East, she promptly filed for the exam.

When did you decide to apply: after graduation or after finding a job? Why?

She couldn’t take the board exam immediately after graduation due to starting work as an OFW. However, she believes it was God’s plan for her to take the exam at the right time.

What did you expect from the SPLE regarding the content of the exam? How different is it from college entrance exams?

Having limited time for review, she expected the content, especially in Professional Education, to be challenging. She found the exam different from college entrance exams, requiring critical thinking.

What questions were easy to answer (e.g., solving, logical reasoning, abstract reasoning)?

She found identification questions and solving relatively easy, especially when the answers were straightforward once the formula was known.

Did you attend a review center? Which review center? (a.) If yes, how did it affect your preparation for the SPLE? (b.) If not, how did you prepare for the exam in terms of resources and review materials?

She did not attend any review centers. Instead, she watched online free review drills by educators like Sir Melvin Osable Buracho and Dr. Carl E. Balita, finding them beneficial.

How many of the things you reviewed appeared in the exam?

In General Education, she reviewed almost all the items that appeared in the exam. However, in Professional Education, she felt confused about most answers, recalling only about 10 correct responses.

How many weeks or months did you prepare for the exam?

She prepared for approximately 2 months, facing time constraints due to the SPLE being scheduled during Ramadan, a busy period for her as a household worker.

How much did preparing for the exam cost you? Is it worth it?

While she spent around 60 KD on exam preparation, she believes it was a worthwhile investment considering the achievement of becoming a Licensed Professional Teacher.

Do you have a daily study routine? (a.) If yes, what is your daily routine, especially the specific time you study? (b.) If not, how did you manage your time, especially for reviewing?

She managed her limited time by studying during breakfast, watching review drills on YouTube while taking a shower, and dedicating nights for more extensive reviews, often until 4 am.

How did you balance your work and review? How did you manage your time?

Juggling work and review was challenging. she utilized her free time effectively after work, ensuring she didn’t waste any opportunity to study.

How did the SPLE affect your time with family and work?

After filing for the SPLE, she had less time to communicate with her family in the Philippines. Her focus shifted to work and reviews during that period.

Did you have any strategies in studying for the exam that helped you understand your notes better?

She employed underlining important details and using mnemonics to enhance memory recall.

What difficulties did you face in preparing for the exam? How did you better remember complex terms and lessons? Did you improve your memory in any way?

As a household worker, preparing for exams posed challenges, especially in terms of documentation and employer support. She managed stress by talking to her family and watching movies on YouTube.

How stressed were you in preparing for the exam? How did you manage your stress?

While being stressed from work and reviews, she coped by engaging in communication with her family and watching movies for relaxation.

Have you procrastinated on your review? How did you manage procrastination? How did you motivate yourself?

She acknowledged facing tiredness and stress, sometimes leading to procrastination. However, the reminder to never give up kept her motivated.

How important is preparing for the SPLE (or other exams)? Can you say that you are well prepared? How so?

Recognizing the importance of SPLE preparation, she felt mentally prepared despite the challenges of being a household worker. She highlighted that the exam day ran smoothly despite being physically tired and stressed.

How did you act during the exam? What were your thoughts during the exam?

During the exam, her sole focus was on passing. she maintained a prayerful mindset, seeking divine guidance.

Where did you gain the strength that helped you pass the exam?

Her greatest inspiration and source of strength came from her family.

Did you search for and use guides and tips in your preparation? How effective were they?

Ronnielly actively used online free reviews by educators like Sir Melvin Osable Buracho and Dr. Carl E. Balita. Their tips and advice were effective in answering questions during the exams.

How did passing the exam benefit you in terms of your work, your life, your family, and yourself?

It really benefits me a lot because after passing the exam, I will have an opportunity to teach as a public school teacher when I go back to the Philippines, and I will not be able to work again as a household worker because, as a household worker, my job was very difficult. In terms of my family, I promise to support them back as they did for me before because they are the reason why I took up the SPLE.