October 5 is World Teachers’ Day 2021
Jaleen Chrissy Nocon: On Teaching, Music, and Art
Mildred German
Vancouver, BC – As the world celebrates World Teachers’ Day amidst the ongoing pandemic, many of us can be reminded of the big role of teachers in our lives and of our children’s. Particularly, in the Philippines, teachers are hailed as “the second parents”.
However, the current era brought by COVID-19 not only brings changes but also challenges to many of our educators worldwide. The pandemic has also highlighted the many tasks and responsibilities of teachers that remain underrated, underpaid, and unappreciated.
Amongst the challenges escalated by the COVID-19 pandemic against teachers globally include unemployment, low wages, the high demands of the expensive and inaccessible virtual technology, and the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), school supplies, and health and safety protocols in workplaces.
In many parts of the world, many women and LGBTQs continue to face barriers to education, as well as the teaching professions, in addition to the worsening global conditions amidst the pandemic.
TEACHING AS A PROFESSION AMIDST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Early childhood educator (ECE) Jaleen Chrissy Nocon of Richmond, B.C. has the experience on how it is to teach and care for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s hard and not… it’s basically you have to keep yourself safe to be able to deliver quality care education to the children under your care”, Nocon, shared. The 35-year old educator currently works in the infant-age childcare at Robert Lee YMCA of Greater Vancouver.
Nocon shared that she has been teaching since 2009. She initially wanted to pursue music, but decided to “stick with working with children”. With the help and support of her parents and long-time partner who saw the signs that she works well with children, she pursued her education and successfully finished her schooling. Nocon mentioned that she is an alumna of Vancouver Community College (VCC) with a certificate in Basic Early Childhood Education, and also of CDI College with a diploma in Infant Toddler (IT) and Special Needs Education (SNE).
NOCON ON ART AND MUSIC: NOT ONLY AN EDUCATOR BUT ALSO A MUSICIAN AND AN ARTIST
“My interests for arts, primarily Visual Arts, started when I was young”, according to the Manila-born educator, artist and musician Jaleen Chrissy Nocon. “At first I would scribble just like every child would.”
Nocon’s mother is a Fine Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), majoring in Advertising and has a big influence on her art growing up.
“I would practice different styles of lettering. And I would ask some advice from my personal professor (my mom) for some inputs on how I was doing or if I’m doing the right way or not. Until I moved forward to pushing myself to start doing different visual arts”, explained Nocon, who also developed an interest in lettering after seeing one of her mother’s books.
“The other art I get inspired to do is music. This started when I was probably 6 years of age. My inspiration behind rhythmic art is my grandfather and his passion for music.” -Jaleen Chrissy Nocon
At a very young age of nine, Nocon started writing thoughts through essays and poetry. Little did she know that her mother was gathering each of her poetry and later compiled them into her own personal poetry book. At 11 years old, Nocon not only had a personal poetry book, but had one of her poetry turned into a song with the help of one of her former guitar teachers. At age 12, she attended vocal training from the Centre for Pop Music Philippines. When she got into college, she sadly didn’t have enough time to finish her degree in music.
“Nevertheless, that didn’t stop me from still upholding the music in me. In my spare time I still write, compose, and play music”, Nocon expressed. Her rhythmic works were heard during an event called Second Beat: Art Share held in April 2019 at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. In the same year she also had the chance to be a part of Pinoy Pride Vancouver Society. Nocon also was a guest at the radio show Pinoy Rainbow at Jeepney Café aired at 100.5 FM CFRO Vancouver’s Co-op Radio in 2018.
Nocon was one of the artists who supported the September 2019 event Pighati Filipinx for Mental Health. In August 2021, Nocon was also one of the artists who participated in the STOP THE KILLINGS! postcard and zine campaign which was curated by PulitiQ and presented as part of the Vines Art Festival 2021.
“What drew me to be an advocate of mental health and wellness is that I want to build a connection with random people around me who might be experiencing different struggles within their mental health and somehow extend that friendly hand,” Nocon responded when asked on what motivated her to be part of mental health and wellness advocacy and initiatives such as the STOP THE KILLINGS! Postcard Art & Zine Campaign to address mental health and police brutality.
Nocon recently participated in the Open Mic session at the Kulinarya Filipino eatery at Commercial Drive in Vancouver, B.C. on September 25, 2021.
Nocon mentioned that she creates her art based on her mood or whatever topic she gets interested in, “just for me to start a portfolio”, and that art is also her hobby.
“My artworks revolve mostly on present issues affecting everyday life be it political, personal or social issues affecting our society. The styles that I usually use in expressing myself through art are either abstract or expressionism”, said Nocon.