Pinay teacher shares her American dream

A Filipina teacher in the United States, Julita Lizardo, shares her American dream. It was in November 2004 when the agency called to tell me that I was one of the teacher-applicants scheduled for an interview with the HR representatives from the Baltimore City Public Schools. They told me the time of the interview and that it was going to be held at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. I had mixed emotions when I learned about this great news. I was ecstatic because I knew that I was closer to achieving my “American Dream." At the same time, I was nervous because I knew that it was going to be a tough competition among the teacher-applicants. I started planning and preparing for that interview. I began thinking about what I was going to wear. I also started reviewing my notes and books on special education and did my research about the Baltimore City Public Schools and Baltimore City in general. Through research, I learned about the special education programs they had that time, curriculum, population, products, famous places, and its wonderful people. As a matter of fact, the city earned the name, “Charm City," because of its beautiful people. I also learned that one of my favorite authors, Edgar Allan Poe, was from Baltimore City. You can just imagine how excited I was after learning all of these facts even before my interview. When the day of my interview came, I went to the hotel equipped and ready to be grilled with questions. There, I saw a lot of teachers waiting outside the room. Just like me, I can see that they were excited and nervous. Some were reviewing their notes and books, others were just waiting for their turn to be over, while the rest were talking each other. Based on the conversations, I learned that everyone had only one goal -- to pass the interview because that was our ticket to the “American Dream." I was surprised that the interviewer was kind, making me feel comfortable. During the interview, I learned that they were hiring Filipino teachers because there were not enough in Baltimore City Schools to teach math, science, and special education during that time. The No Child Left Behind Policy (NCLB) has been requiring school systems to hire highly qualified teachers, or those who are certified or have the potentials to be certified in the said areas. As a result, they ended up hiring teachers overseas. They included the Philippines because our educational system was patterned after theirs and English is our medium of instruction. In addition, speaking and hearing someone speaking the English language is an everyday occurrence in the Philippines in business and schools. Even the street vendors, some of whom may not be able to express themselves in English fluently, are also able to understand the language. Isn’t it amazing? This is an asset that I think our country has. I was interviewed for at least 30 minutes and I was able to pass the interview with flying colors. The district’s representative told me that I was already hired, even if she was not supposed to disclose the result until all of more than 200 applicants have already been interviewed. It was such an unforgettable day! When I got out of the room, it felt like I was in heaven! I kept jumping up and down while the rest of the applicants were looking at me like I was crazy, or maybe they were envious. Others also asked me about the questions thrown by the interviewer. I thought passing the interview was my ticket to the US, but NO! It was just the beginning of a very tedious and agonizing process. I was scheduled for an interview before the US Embassy in May 2005. I would not forget that day when my visa was granted. It was a dream come true. All of my sleepless nights, effort, perseverance, and patience paid off. I immediately thought about the financial gains that it was going to bring me and my family. My family and I started building castles in the air, like migrating to the US as a family and seeing snow. I was also after the wonderful experience of being able to teach English to a country whose mother tongue is English. But I felt awful after getting the visa. I needed to resign from the school where I taught English for eight years. I needed to face my students, colleagues, and administrators confidently to let them know that I was fine. But in reality, I was not! Aside from saying goodbye to my institution, I was also leaving my two children and my husband in less than a month. My daughter was just in third grade at that time, while my son was just in first grade. That thought started to pierce my heart. I would cry every night just thinking about it! It was too painful. But then again, the dream of giving my children a brighter future defeated my loneliness. As a parent, that was more important for me. When the day of my departure came, reality started to sink in! At the airport, I could see how lonely my children were that their beloved Mama was going to leave them. I could see how they wished they could stop me from leaving! It was the loneliest moment in my life -- even more painful than when my father died! It was like a nightmare. I wish it was! That way, I could have just waken up and found out that it was nothing but a dream. But it was reality. They were sitting on the bench outside the airport as they bade goodbye. I needed to show them that I was brave but the truth was my heart was bleeding inside! I, together with 50 other teachers, came to Baltimore City, Maryland in June 2005. We shared the same experiences and heartaches. We had difficulty adjusting to a new country, city, and most of all, living with three other Filipino teachers in a two-bedroom apartment. But we started to like it! We realized that aside from God, we only had each other because we did not have any family members who would be able to assist us in times of need. We would take the bus, metro, and the subway whenever we needed to go to shopping centers. We would also gather in each other’s apartment on Friday nights for Bible studies. My first year was a challenging one! I realized that teaching the native speakers of the English language is still different from teaching English to second language speakers of the language. They used a lot of idioms some of which I was not even familiar with, despite being an English teacher. My accent and pronunciation were also different, even though I taught Speech and Oral Communication to college students. My students would correct me and ask me to repeat what I was saying. I did not get slighted by it but rather, took it as a challenge. I had students who had behavioral problems, but being strict with my students in the Philippines and my knowledge about special education helped me a lot during my first year! They came very handy. I did not have serious problems with classroom management compared to my colleagues. Some of the students were disrespectful, but it was not because of my accent and being a Filipino. One thing that these children are very much oriented with is that they could not discriminate people because of speech, nationality, and the color of one’s skin. They know that it is racism. It was an adjustment to the culture as well. I missed some of the things my students in the Philippines did, which my students here do not do. Back home, our students and parents regard us as their second parents. They have high regard for teachers. Filipino students stand to greet their teachers and whenever they respond to our questions. It took me maybe a month to adjust in this matter. Then, I realized that my students and I were actually adjusting to each others’ ways and cultures. I also realized that children are children wherever you go all over the world. They will always need affection, love, care, and most of all, will always be hungry for knowledge. I started to build and develop a rapport with my students, the parents, and my colleagues. Then, my students started inquiring about the Philippines and its people. They wanted to know about my country. They were so curious about our country because, mind you, they were not even familiar that our country exists until I came to my school. One thing that amazed them was when I told them that when the American children are in school, the Filipino children are sleeping. They did not have any idea that it was happening on the other side of the world! My administrators and parents liked me as well. Parents were happy that their children were being taught by a highly qualified teacher. They also liked me because they saw my passion and dedication to the teaching profession. I had colleagues who were already deciding to go back home during our first year. However, with continued support and faith in God, we were able to survive our first, tough year! One thing that I can say about us Filipino teachers is that we’re resilient and as pliant as the bamboo! Trials make us fall down but we just dust ourselves off and continue to stand from where we left off. In retrospect, it was a very challenging yet rewarding first year! Aside from the administrators, students and their parents, we are also thankful to the Filipino communities that supported us all the way. We truly have witnessed the authentic “Bayanihan" spirit from our friends in the River of Life International Christian Fellowship. They were the ones who were there to provide not only our tangible needs but most of all, our spiritual needs. They demonstrated the real essence of a Christian spirit—helping brothers and sisters without any expectations of being paid back! Our first year was successful because of their support. I’m now on my sixth year in my school and in my district. I have now been a part of our leadership team and executive board. I, together with my principal and other selected colleagues, meet weekly to discuss school policies and programs that will improve the school. My principal has given me multiple awards because of my contributions in my school’s achievement of the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for three consecutive years. I have also dismissed a lot of special education students because they have already been performing on grade level after giving them intensive reading instruction. I am glad and blessed that they recognize my contribution in my school. I have a lot of things to thank God for. My family has been here with me for three years now. My daughter is now in ninth grade and my son is now in seventh grade. Both of them are consistent honor students. Aside from enjoying some financial gains that coming to America had brought me and my family, I am so thankful that I was able to know the real God. My God who continues to love me unconditionally despite of my inequities. My God who promises in Jeremiah 29:11 that, “ For I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future!" But if you’ll ask me, I sometimes feel bad for leaving the Filipino students behind because they need good teachers. On the other hand, I also believe that we do not have to be in our country to make our country proud. Every day, I always tell myself that I am not just carrying myself but also the flag of my beloved country. Every day, I make my country proud by making sure that I am giving my best to my American students. That way, they will remember my country because of this Filipino teacher who touched their lives and whose name has been engraved in their hearts. I serve my students because I do believe that God brought me to this country for a reason, and that is to be like a parent to these children who are hungry and longing for a parent’s love that some parents could not provide. It has been a very successful six years because of my faith in God! Without Him, I am nothing! I would have gone home and accepted my defeat! I offer all of my success to Him. I hope that my story will inspire other Filipino teachers overseas. I know that it is tough to be away from our families but there is always light at the end of the tunnel. That light is God! The more we experience struggles or challenges the more that we should cling to God because He is our rock and provider. May God continue to bless us and our families with good health, perseverance, wisdom, and determination! May He also continue to bless our country and our adoptive countries as well. When you feel lonely about being away from your family, just read Romans 5:5, Matthew 6:25-34, and Jeremiah 29:11. I hope that this article inspires all of the Filipinos worldwide! Mabuhay tayong mga Pinoy! - RJMD, GMA News