Celebrating excellence in practice teaching, the College of Teacher Education (CTED) held the first ever GAWAD KAHAYAG: SHINE Awards for Excellence in Teaching Internship today, May 29, 2026, at the CTED Mini Theater and Demo Room.

The culminating program honored the outstanding achievements, dedication, and professional contributions of practice teachers throughout their intensive internship period.

Dr. Roullete P. Cordevilla, CTED Dean, set the tone for the event with a warm welcome, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the teaching profession.

To inspire the graduating cohort, the program featured the following keynote speakers:

•Ms. Shauna E. Tifora, LPT—a CTED alumna who placed 2nd nationwide in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT)—shared her journey and offered practical advice to the aspiring educators.

•Dr. Craig N. Refugio, Director of the International Relations Office, delivered an empowering message, drawing from his extensive experience as a professor of many years.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the GAWAD KAHAYAG SHINE Awards, which recognized top-tier performance across several categories, including the Excellence in Creative Portfolio Award, Best in Demonstration Teaching, the SHINE Exemplar Award, and the Outstanding Practice Teacher Award.

The honors were distributed across the following academic programs: BEED, BTE, BTLED (HE, IA, and ICT), BSED (Social Studies, Filipino, Values Education, Science, English, and Mathematics), BECED, BPED, and BSNED.

In addition to the internship honors, Prof. Jade P. Melancio, Student Teaching Supervisor, led the LET Mock Board Recognition. This segment highlighted students who demonstrated exceptional readiness for the upcoming board exams, with awards including:

Special Awards: Excellence in General Education, Professional Education, and Majorship/Specialization.

Major Awards: The top 10 performers for both the elementary and secondary levels.

Prior to the conclusion of the event, Dr. Ryan O. Tayco also delivered a warm motivational message to the aspiring educators.

The celebration concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Regidor Carale, CTED Associate Dean, followed by a ceremonial photo session with the awardees, faculty, and guests. The event serves as a final send-off for the practice teachers as they transition from student-interns to full-fledged professionals in the field of education.