Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

GUEST COLUMN:

Cultural teacher exchange program provides stability for students, growth for teachers

I came to the United States in the most challenging and unprecedented of times — in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis in December 2020. Teaching as a cultural exchange teacher from the Philippines has been an incredible experience, and doing so during a global pandemic has been surreal.

Yet this experience has challenged and grown me personally and professionally in ways I would not have experienced in my home country.

From the day I was interviewed for a teaching position until the day I submitted all of the required documents, my planning in my home country had gone smoothly. I thought I was prepared both physically and mentally for what lay ahead.

When the pandemic hit, all my plans were suddenly put on hold as the U.S. and Philippine governments issued executive orders and a moratorium on teacher cultural exchange programs.

I was confused and afraid. The only thing I felt I could hold onto was believing that I would eventually arrive in the U.S. to teach special education classes.

When I was finally able to travel to the U.S. five months later, I learned that my Las Vegas students had been taught by several teachers prior to my arrival. Their learning had been interrupted again and again, and I was their third teacher four months into the new school year.

My students were curious about me and as I shared my background and experiences, I connected and built relationships with them. I also learned things about myself and was able to reflect on my unique experience as an exchange teacher.

Some of the things that I learned about myself included the importance of perseverance, appreciation and balance; these are values that I recommend all cultural exchange teachers prioritize and consider for a successful teaching and leading experience:

ν Persevere. When the executive order and moratorium were enacted, I learned to have faith and be still in times of uncertainty. My fellow Filipino teachers lobbied the government to support us in going to the U.S. Their advocacy taught me about unity and perseverance. In the face of tremendous uncertainty, it is important to practice perseverance.

ν Appreciation. When the time finally arrived for me to travel to the U.S., I focused on the value and importance of the people I love and cherish. As I waited for my teaching license, I took nothing for granted and I learned to appreciate and make each day as productive and meaningful as I could.

ν Balance. When I began teaching my special education class, I learned to more effectively manage my time between online teaching and professional training. As I met my teaching colleagues and administrators, I learned to be more open-minded to unlearning, learning and relearning how to be an effective and efficient teacher for my students and families. Pursuing balance was key to my success, and I felt privileged and honored to educate my students.

As I look back, now settled as a teacher in the United States, I ask myself, “What lies ahead as the COVID-19 pandemic persists?” I am confident, in my commitment to perseverance, appreciation and balance, with the support and guidance I receive from my district and my school, that I will be able to handle future challenges in my journey as a teacher.

Lauro Esquilona III, Ph.D, is a special education teacher in Clark County School District and a cultural exchange teacher from the Philippines. He is a Teach Plus Nevada Policy Fellow.