Teaching Staff

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Ms. Maria Theresa Mora Uy, also known as Teacher Tet, is a faculty member of the Department of Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman since 2021.  Her teaching experience ranges from infants to the 2s and 3s class in the U.P. Child Development Center.  She also teaches in the undergraduate courses of BS Family Life and Child Development program. 

Aside from teaching in the university, she has been involved in various learning environments around the Philippines.  She has been a teacher in a homeschooling initiative, trainor to child development workers, aspiring Waldorf teachers, and tourism facilitators of a child-centered tourism program.  She is also the country coordinator of Notfallpädagogik ohne Grenzen" (Emergency Pedagogy without borders) which organizes humanitarian aid specializing in psychosocial first aid for children during times of emergencies.

She is constantly exploring the role and practices of culture, creativity, and play in the development of children.  She is also deeply invested in the work of nurturing family relationships for overall family well-being and child development. 

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Administration (June 1988 to November 1992), University of the Philippines Diliman

• Master of Family Life and Child Development (August 2017 to present), University of the Philippines Diliman

Research Interests 

• Play, Integrating cultural experiences in the early years, Creativity in children, Infant and toddler development, Parent-child relationships, Inclusive early childhood education, Curriculum development for young children, Teacher education in early childhood settings, Early childhood care and development (ECCD) programs, Family involvement in early learning environments

Recent Publications 

• Jamero, J. F., & Mora, M. M. (2025). Creating ‘play invitations’ from open-ended materials in the Philippines: family involvement in literacy development during infancy. In Prins, E., & Zholdoshalieva, R. (Eds.), Family and intergenerational literacy and learning: International perspectives—UNESCO Digital Library. (pp. 159-174). Hamburg, Germany. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000393131.locale=en

Courses Taught