Act Upon Your Dreams

Dreaming is good but dreaming without action makes you simply a dreamer.

I am a Filipino teacher with 29 fruitful years of teaching experience in the Philippines. With the length of service I had in the Philippine educational system, one might think that I should be content by now and find comfort on what I had been doing for 29 years as a Teacher. However, a part of me longed to go beyond my comfort zone to gain experiences that I am hopeful would bring me to another developmental phase of my career; would provide me with new knowledge and skills; and would allow me to disclose distinct know-how which I would love to share to new students, fellow teachers, and to a new community as a whole. These are some of the reasons why I applied on a teaching job away from my homeland.

I would like to share the challenges I faced during my application to participate in the J1 Visa Program, and what advice I can give to those who want to join iTeach America (ITA).

The onset of my US journey started when I came to a firm decision to apply as a J1 teacher through iTeach America. This agency was recommended by my post - graduate classmates who successfully became licensed J1 Visa teachers in Alaska and New Mexico under this agency's Batch 1,2 and 3. The encouraging recommendations from them pushed me forward to submit my application documents to iTeach America last December 2021.

True enough, iTeach America team quickly responded to me through emails and direct messages in social media platform, informing the receipt and review of my complete documentations. After a month into my application, I was part of ITA's wide pool of official applicants. It was a bit competitive, but with the guidance and support of ITA, you would always feel you have a big chance of becoming successful in the program. On January 2022, I started receiving a series of orientations from ITA, such as mock interviews, filling out various forms, searching for accredited schools alike, which all heightened my knowledge, skills, and capabilities. My motivation to pursue this dream was even strengthened when I received a message from ITA that one of their partner schools - Anchorage School District (ASD) in Alaska, USA was hiring special education teachers. I was advised to complete my application via the district’s job portal. This information gave me with so much hope and excitement that without hesitations I completed my application in just a split second. I was then personally endorsed by my agency to the district's HR Personnel and I received a job interview invite the following week. I went through a few more rounds of interview with various school administrators as that was ASD's hiring process. Time flies so fast. After a series of interview in ASD, I was finally offered a job placement sometime in February 2022. I couldn’t have done this without the guidance and support of iTeach America - my agency. From creating an appealing resume and cover letter, to filling out forms to even answering interview questions - these are all well - provided to us.

April 2022 came and the application process became more exciting. ITA has now assigned me to a specific visa sponsor. I went through the visa sponsor interview and completed the required forms and documentations. I passed it with flying colors. However, after a couple days of waiting for the next steps of my visa application, the visa sponsor suddenly decided to limit their Alaska placements. It was worrisome, but my agency advocated for us and never gave up. In no time, this visa sponsor reconnected with our group. Indeed with iTeach America, I felt secured. I was even granted assistance on my financial obligations with my visa sponsor. Words are not enough to show how thankful I am.

May – June 2022 was like a roller coaster of emotions because I was at the stage where I need to

fill out more significant forms like DS 160, to prepare my US teaching license forms and mandatory training certificates, and to schedule my embassy interview to mention a few. All of these I successfully hurdled so to move forward to the next stages of my application.

July 2022 - this was the month of huge success in my entire application I should say. I passed my embassy interview, and few days after I found myself already booking my flight to the USA. Amazing, would you agree? I successfully did it with all the scaffolds I receive from iTeach America.

I safely arrived in the land called The Land of the Midnight Sun – Alaska, USA on July 29, 2022. I had tears of joy. My heart was filled with gratitude especially to those who had extended help to me. Above

all, I was very thankful to God’s divine providence. I couldn’t have done this alone.

Based on my personal experiences, I can say that iTeach America deals with every teacher applicant’s concerns effectively with utmost professionalism. Despite the challenges along the way, including financial constraints, with ITA, you are in good hands!

If you dreamed of becoming a licensed teacher in the United States, be positive, find ways to make it happen and I hope you join iTeach America team.

I would like to end this with a quote that was shared to us from our ASD training, "The minute you think of

giving up, think of the reason why you held on so long”. Ponder and act upon your dreams and your goals. That's the only way to a successful venture.

- GERALDINE ANGELES

MY CLASSROOM IN THE U.S.A.

IN FRONT OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH FELLOW J1-VISA TEACHER

WITH MY FELLOW J1-VISA TEACHERS ON OUR WAY TO THE USA