Today, I want to share something deeply personal: my journey into teaching \u2014 or perhaps more accurately, my journey back<\/em> to it. Because as I\u2019ve come to realize, the path began much earlier than I thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I was in grade school, I joined something called the Kapitbahay Program<\/strong> \u2014 part of our school\u2019s outreach efforts in Barangay Loyola Heights and beyond. We didn\u2019t just visit communities; we learned with them. It wasn\u2019t a typical field trip. It was service wrapped in empathy, connection, and curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hadn\u2019t thought about that experience in years, but it resurfaced as I reflected on where this desire to teach really began. Back then, I learned a vital lesson: teaching takes patience, empathy, and perspective<\/strong>. People grow up with different life experiences \u2014 and understanding that is a cornerstone of being a good mentor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later that year, I tutored a classmate in Math. I had a grandfather who taught the subject beautifully \u2014 my friend didn\u2019t. Helping her understand something that once seemed impossible was my first real taste of what it means to be a bridge<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking back, I think that\u2019s when something quietly lit up inside me. A light I\u2019d carry \u2014 and share \u2014 for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast forward to 2017. I was a few years into my career when the chance to teach finally opened up. Through Creative Nation Academy<\/strong>, I created a session on Basic Logo Conceptualization \u2014 built from scratch, practiced with peers, polished with feedback, and finally delivered to a real audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Four hours flew by. I barely ate that day. But I felt alive<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soon after, I gave a talk at Angeles University<\/strong> about the latest in Adobe Creative Cloud. The students were curious, open, and hungry to learn \u2014 and their energy stayed with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Around that time, I also gave a webinar on the basics of graphic design \u2014 my first time joining a growing online community of Filipino social media creatives. Without fully realizing it, my journey as an educator had begun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2018, I gave a talk exploring where social media fits in the Buyer\u2019s Journey<\/strong>, and how it connects to both inbound and outbound marketing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By 2019, I started speaking on topics close to my heart. My favorite that year? \u201cTaking Pride in Filipino Creatives.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n That same year, I was invited back to Miriam College<\/strong> to teach a short class on Logo Design in Packaging<\/strong>. I wish I had received feedback or evaluations \u2014 just to know what stuck. Still, I walked away hopeful, wishing I could do it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also had a chance to talk in front of Fine arts students in University of Santo Tomas about how to value their work through pricing. Truly a great honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also compiled much of my social media knowledge for a session with RVA \u2014 then called “Social Media for RVA”<\/strong> \u2014 featuring tools like Adobe Spark (now Adobe Express). These small steps, when stitched together, told a story of growing trust in my voice as a mentor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the pandemic arrived in 2020, everything changed \u2014 but the mission remained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together with Creative Nation Academy, we launched a virtual training on Practical and Real-World InDesign Tips and Tricks<\/strong> \u2014 built to support educators and creatives adjusting to remote tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later that year, Thames International<\/strong> invited me to speak to over 700 MSME owners nationwide in the International DTI Training<\/strong>. We tackled social media coordination, content strategy, and community building. It was intense \u2014 and deeply meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then came one of my most memorable talks: World Interaction Design Day at Cavite State University<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I spoke about The World-Class Filipino Designer<\/em>. Out of 159 attendees, 88 responded \u2014 with an average score of 9.5\/10<\/strong>. More than the numbers, their messages said: \u201cYou inspired me.\u201d<\/em> Moments like these remind me: sharing what we know can change<\/em> someone\u2019s path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2021, I was invited again by CvSU \u2014 and I hope to continue that rhythm in the years ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2023, I officially became an Adobe Community Expert<\/strong> \u2014 a milestone I once only dreamed of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2024, I:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also revisited my podcasting roots. In 2018, I was on The Design Life Show<\/em> (on mindset and creative resilience), and in 2021 on Creative Incubator<\/em> (on design communication).<\/p>\n\n\n\n But this year, something new happened: I created my own podcast format \u2014 using Adobe Podcast<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same platform I now want to teach others to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this year, I led a 2-part webinar called \u201cHow to Get Hired\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 aimed at fresh graduates and career shifters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But here\u2019s the truth: I was learning too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I built my own portfolio in real-time. Made mistakes in front of the audience. And said out loud: \u201cThis is mine. I made this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s what I love about teaching \u2014 it\u2019s learning in public<\/strong>. It\u2019s showing up even when you\u2019re unsure<\/em>, and inviting others to grow with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching isn\u2019t a one-way street. It\u2019s not just transfer \u2014 it\u2019s exchange<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s the student who sends a message years later to say, “I remembered what you taught me \u2014 and it helped.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s the quiet shift in someone\u2019s eyes when something clicks<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And for me, it\u2019s become a compass. No matter how uncertain life gets, teaching brings me back to purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve made it this far \u2014 thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re someone who wants to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m planning to share a session on Adobe Podcast<\/strong> soon. We\u2019ll talk about finding your voice \u2014 and using it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If that sounds like something you\u2019d want to explore, let\u2019s connect. Let\u2019s light the path \u2014 for ourselves, and for others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until next time, This is Jemm.<\/strong> Stay curious. Keep creating. Never stop learning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hi, I\u2019m Jemm \u2014 multimedia artist, creative mentor, and lifelong learner. Today, I want to share something deeply personal: my journey into teaching \u2014 or perhaps more accurately, my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1345","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSeeds from Grade School<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2017: A Spark Reignited<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2018\u20132019: New Topics, Bigger Ideas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2020\u20132021: Teaching Through Crisis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2023\u20132025: Creative Community & Mentorship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2025: Teaching by Example<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What Teaching Has Taught Me<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
An Invitation: Want to Strengthen Your Voice?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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