Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) Associate Professor Joyce Grajo’s outstanding dedication to teaching earned her the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Outstanding Teacher Award (OTA) in the Physical Sciences Senior Faculty category for 2025. The distinguished recognition was conferred during the 116th UPLB Founding Anniversary held on March 6th. This university-level recognition follows an earlier award from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), where Dr. Grajo was named the 2024 CAS Outstanding Teacher (Senior Faculty Category) during the college’s 52nd Anniversary and Recognition Program last 13 December 2024.

The OTA aims to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in teaching, promoting a culture of high-quality education within the university. This recognition serves to inspire other faculty members to strive for similar levels of dedication and effectiveness in their teaching practices, ultimately upholding UPLB’s commitment to academic excellence.

Dr. Grajo, currently the head of the Survey Sampling Division of INSTAT, who served for more than 17 years in the academe already has largely contributed to the refinement of statistics education in the university. She introduced innovations in teaching by developing learning games, group dynamics, and other fun activities ensuring sustained interest among students in the subject matter and their proper understanding of the statistical concepts.

Additionally, Grajo also played a role in the advancement of research through her active involvement in various research projects including her leadership in the 2019 Study on the Employability of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates. Moreover, she also ventured into the Diversification of Feedstocks for the Sugar Regulatory Board in 2024.

Moreover, Dr. Grajo also exemplified dedication and passion in curriculum development when she handled positions in curriculum and instruction at the university. She is notable for leading the revision of the BS Statistics Curriculum as the INSTAT’s coordinator for instruction in 2018. Additionally, Dr. Grajo also chaired the CAS Curriculum and Instruction Committee since 2019, guiding different unit coordinators in the transition to remote learning during the pandemic.

Despite her vast experience as a professor at the university, Ma’am Joyce said that becoming a teacher is not really her first choice. She believes, however, that becoming an educator is her personal calling.

“Hindi naman talaga ako nangarap maging teacher. Ang gusto ko ay maging engineer dahil nasa chemical engineering ang tatay ko. Pero during a Church service, dun ko nakita yung calling na maging teacher at since then, lahat ng daan naglelead doon,” she added.

Dr. Grajo emphasizes that exceptional teachers possess two core qualities: a passion for lifelong learning and deep compassion for their students. She asserts that educators must continually refine their skills and cultivate an understanding of their students’ diverse backgrounds.

“Kaya ka teacher kasi ikaw ay learner. Kasi hindi ka magiging magaling na teacher kung hindi ka mag-aaral. The best way to know kung talagang aral ka na, kapag kaya mo nang ituro yung course. Para sa akin, yun yung highest form ng learning,” she explained.

Additionally, Ma’am Joyce also mentioned that the methods of teaching also evolve along with the changing landscape in the current education system. With this, she emphasized that to be able to exhibit compassion to the students, teachers should view them at the individual level.

“Bawat isang estudyante ay unique. Bawat isang estudyante may pinaghuhugutan kung bakit ganoon sila. Try mo na tignan sila individually. Kasi kung hindi nila mararamdaman na mahal mo sila, hindi sila magrereciprocate sayo. Eh kailangan magreciprocate sila sayo para malaman mo kung ano yung problema,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Grajo aims to focus her efforts on curriculum development to respond to the changing landscape of the education system.

“Kung given ng opportunity, gusto ko talagang magfocus sa curriculum development. This is to respond to the changing landscape of the education system,” she mentioned.

On the other hand, Ma’am Joyce also emphasized the importance of observing a work-life balance. According to her, this will be vital in ensuring that burnout in the workplace is avoided. She shared that one way to achieve this is to spend time with your inner circle and have a quiet time.

“I make it a practice na kung after work, after work lang talaga. Hindi talaga pwedeng work lang. Kailangan bigyan mo rin ng life,” she stated.

~ Allen Kate G. Terren