Courage to Start

God Never Fails by Clarisse

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It all started with being curious and slowly taking chances.
 
And then – deciding to take a risk with uncertainty.
 
To major sleepless nights and unending self-preparations to land a job!
 
And then getting US visa approval, and finally, flying to the USA! YES!!!
 
It looks easy, huh?
 
At first, I didn’t even think achieving my dream was possible. 
 
I have no idea where to get my immediate needs – like fee payments! But miracles exist!
 
All my worries (money+skills+self-doubt) didn’t stop me. God provides, and He never fails to do that. 
 
Overcoming doubts and negativity is challenging, but with the guidance of my dearest mentors in Teach-USA, everything became smooth. 
 
I never thought TEACH-USA could change someone’s life in the blink of an eye, but it happened. I am so grateful to be part of it!
 
My advice to those who aspire to be in the Land of Milk and Honey is never to let your doubt take away your chances. 
 
Progress is all about taking a risk and being ready to jump!
 
PROGRESS+FAITH+COURAGE requires ACTION. 
 
And complete trust in God. Because, in Him, nothing is impossible!
 
To God be the Glory.

#iloveTEACHUSAfamily

– Written by: Clarisse

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I Made It by Jsel

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“Aren’t you too young for this?” “You are inexperienced, you think it would be enough?”   “Are you sure about your decision?”   “Will you make it?”   I get these questions from others and at some point I also asked myself about it.    The moment I decided to pursue my BEEd Special Education … Read more

Ghie: J1 Visa Holder for the 2nd Time

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Ghie‘s story is one of a kind too.   Two years ago, I met her in New Mexico when I was still working with the NM Public Education Department. She held a J1 visa from one of the Mississippi school districts. She introduced herself and told me that she’d make sure to get my services … Read more

Meet Jemmry in New Mexico

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Meet Fellow: Jemmry Velasquez Jemmry is currently the 8th grade Science teacher and Department Head of Heizer Middle School in Hobbs, New Mexico. He has been teaching science in the United States for the last three years, but has been teaching for 19 years. He is the former Academic Supervisor at Hope Christian High School … Read more

On Student’s Behavior

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STUDENTS’ BEHAVIORS – WARNING   New teachers in the US, please take a little bit of time to know the US culture before being adamant with your Filipino ways of doing things – especially in disciplining students who speak bad words A LOT!     The sad reality is YOU will HEAR cursing, swearing, insulting, … Read more

Making Right Decisions by Catherine

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Three years ago, the thought of teaching in a foreign land came across my mind. It gave me an ecstatic feeling and I was extremely inquisitive to start the process. I emailed TEACH-USA CEO Maam Gemma to signify my intention of joining and immediately started with my application.    I began to ask for the … Read more

Faith In God by Judel

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When you allow your courage to plunge into uncertainties, it’s almost impossible to believe you can fly high!   But because of your enormous faith in God,  you’ll have a spirit of a prayer-laden eagle which allows your strength to fight your battles! This was exactly my experience with life the moment I entered into … Read more

Miriam: Alaska Pioneer

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“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing” Helen Keller….   To teach in the USA is a great opportunity and a great blessings. It is an experience of a lifetime not only from the location and cultural aspects of the position, but also from the personal adjustment that I have to make for myself. … Read more

Jasmin: Oregon Pioneer

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Your Science Teacher is featured on the local newspaper of Astoria, Oregon. So grateful for this opoortunity to share my story to the community I now belong to. I am teaching here for just 3 months, but I guess, word spreads quickly!    I am beyond grateful for the people the Lord has allowed to … Read more

Simple Reminders

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SIMPLE REMINDERS TO INCOMING J1 VISA TEACHERS   You all have four different sponsors. Sponsors with different fees, processing styles, and personalities!   Upon US entry, you all become under the jurisdiction of your sponsor. So, make sure to have good relations with them.   They are all very strict with following the US Dept … Read more

Food For Thoughts by Anonymous

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Food for Thoughts for Aspiring J1 Teachers  by: Anonymous       1. Know your agency. Make sure you are satisfied with the services they offer. Wag pag dating dito nag iba na ang ihip ng hangin kesyo mas maganda at mas mura ung iba. It’s a choice, and be happy with it.     … Read more

The Don’t of Teaching by Rheux

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The Don’ts of Teaching in the US by Rheux Serendipity Britt     1. Don’t ask unless google can’t answer your question.   2. Don’t play know-it-all; we all start back from scratch when we get here, everything here is completely different from the Philippines.   3. Don’t just wait and speak up only after … Read more

God’s Plans by Maria Theresa

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God’s PLANS. by: Maria Theresa Alvarez-Jackson     GOD ALWAYS HAS A BETTER PLAN. HE HAS THE BEST REASONS AND HE WILL NEVER FORGET TO REWARD YOUR HONESTY AND HARDWORK.   These thoughts capture my 3-year journey.   My first J1 program was way back in 2011 as a university fellow at Clemson University in South … Read more

Mga Chika Ng Mga Unang Salta sa Amerika

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Pagdating nyo dito sa US… hindi magiging perfect agad ang buhay nyo. Lahat ng nag sisimula, mahirap.     Madami kwento ng sacrifice, wala naman libre dito, wala din kayo pinabaon na pera para sitting pretty na lang kayo pag dating dito.   Sa kadamihan, eto naexperience:   1) need maglakad… sa Pinas naman todo lakad … Read more

How Do I Fail?

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  The possibilities are infinite! So, why choose to think about FAILING? But to make you happy, here goes: HOW DO I FAIL 101. 1. Think negative. 2. Say negative. 3. Do negative. 4. Speak negative. 5. Be negative. Yey, you succeeded! Congratulations! I hope you are happier! 🙂 Please feel free to check the … Read more

No SPED Experience

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MY STORY: I had 33 units in MA Sped.  I also did not have SPED teaching experience since I was teaching Computer subjects in the Philippines then. (or so I thought!)   But, during the interview, something popped into my mind –  I did have SPED teaching experiences!   1) I had a computer class … Read more

There’s Time For Everything!

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When I was taking my masters in SPED, I’d hear teachers talk about working in the US.   I wasn’t interested.   Why?    At that time, I was still in the process of knowing what I wanted and I was happy with where I was. I didn’t even bother to inquire or ask questions … Read more

All for GOOD! #Weeklies

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Week 50/52 #Weeklies I saw a Southwest airlines flight promotion and suddenly thought about flying to California for the sake of getting the deal. I called my friend Ronalyn and told her I’d visit her on April 30, just in time for her birthday! Then, she told me that if I’m traveling on my own … Read more

Behavior IT IS!

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We told the parents to pick up their son at exactly 3:05 pm.

One of our students with special needs couldn’t handle long delays. He’d climb, shout, scream, push, throw objects, and show aggressive behavior because it’s time to go, and he has to go! He has zero patience for waiting!

 

I tried everything to redirect and allow him to focus on other things!

 

The other day, tickling him while he plays with the door buzzer, running after him while he tries to open the office door (so he can run the other direction), counting 1-100, and asking him to do deep breathing worked – the student was, obviously entertained!

 

Finally, at 3:16 pm, the stepdad came with his dog. I was sweating and catching my breath! Boy, that was the longest 11 minutes of my day!

 

So, I had to tell him what I had to say to him! “Dad! The agreement was to pick him up at 3:05! You are 11 minutes late!”

 

He said, “Oh, I thought I have to pick him up at 3:18?” (He was feeling proud because he was 2 minutes early!)

 

I exclaimed, “No! It’s 3:05! Eleven minutes is unacceptable! Can you see my sweat?! I had to play with him!”

 

He smiled! As if I was funny.

 

I continued, “Here’s his Behavior Intervention Plan. And please get the dog out of my way. I’m afraid of dogs!”

 

He laughed.

 

I said, “Bye! 3:05, OK!? 3:05!”

 

Sometimes, I wonder why God will bring a person into my life. But for this little kid, the purpose is clear: to ensure my 10,000 steps (and so on and so forth!) LOL!

 

As for the stepdad, he should learn his lesson too! (He smells like weed! Wahhh!)

 

BUT, what about you? Any thoughts about the following:

 

  1. What possible strategies can you do to stop the behavior?
  2. What can be the replacement behavior? And how will you teach it?
  3. If parents are not cooperative, what will you do?
 
—
Real Story.
Yes, there’s a lot more to earning US dollars!

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