"Children, Meet Your Teachers"

Browsing the seemingly endless variety of Filipino newspapers available here in Southern California, I came across one that captured my interest. The top story in the mid-August edition of Philippine News is a photo entitled, "Children, Meet Your Teachers." Pictured are 93 newly-arrived teachers from the Philippines being welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa on August 11, in front of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. The report goes on to describe that the Philippine Embassy offers services including orientation seminars designed to ease the teachers' transition into American classrooms.

It looks like the Philippine Embassy is doing what FAEALA is doing. Or, is it the other way around? Whatever the case may be, action is taking place and invaluable services are provided. It is a wonderful thing. Perhaps there is an opportunity here for collaboration and partnership among groups that ultimately share the same vision. Whether it is the Philippine Embassy, FAEALA, churches, businesses or individuals, that welcomes and support our fellow 'Kababayans,' the spirit of 'Bayanihan' is alive and well. Might there be others out there?

FAEALA District Tour

As far west as La Cieniga, as far east as South Gate, as far north as Eagle Rock and as far south as San Pedro, FAEALA today took newly-arrived teachers from the Philippines along for a tour of LAUSD schools.

Led (and driven) by Daniel and Glenn, 14 teachers were afforded with a rare opportunity to visit a variety of schools in different communities and Local Districts. To date, it is common practice that Filipino teachers are offered employment at a school that they have not even seen or visited. The school is usually just a name that applicants have only heard and read about during the placement process. Sometimes, the school is described for them much in the way the puppeteer describes reality in Plato's cave. Given the pressures exerted by staffing schools with highly-qualified teachers and the shrinking number of available positions, teachers are caught in the middle and will often "bite the bullet" without any idea of what their work environment is like. Sure they have a school job, but where is the school? Is it reasonably accessible by public transportation? What are the housing possibilities in the community? Does the school have a healthy culture?

The goal of the tour is to give teachers some idea about the schools they might just find themselves teaching in. Here are a few questions to think about. Does a school select its staff or is it the other way around? Who buys a car without test driving it first? How much apparel would a department store sell if there were no fitting rooms? Perhaps, through this effort teachers will be able to make a more informed decision during the placement process. As educators, is this not what we ultimately want for our students? To be able to make informed decisions, why should it not apply to us? Let the dice roll.

FAEALA on TV: Back to School Tips

FAEALA member Daniel Gumarang joins Elaine Garcia (Corona HS) along with "Kababayan LA" host Janelle So offering tips for students and parents on how to do better in the coming school year. For additional information on how parents might be more involved in their students education, the website, www.parent-institute.com is a good place to start.

"Kababayan LA" is Southern California's first and only locally-produced daily show for and about the Filipinos. The program aired on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 4:30pm on KSCI Channel 18.

FAEALA on TV: Filipino Teachers in LA

FAEALA members Erick Mata and Glenn San Pedro appeared as guests in Kababayan LA. Hosted by Janelle So, Erick and Glenn talked about issues surrounding Filipino and Filipino-American teachers and in particular, the plight of Filipino teachers recruited from the Philippines to teach in American schools.

"Kababayan LA" is Southern California's first and only locally-produced daily show for and about the Filipinos. The program aired on Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 4:30pm on KSCI Channel 18.

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Historic Filipinotown Festival

Yesterday was a bright sunny day in Los Angeles. Needless to say, it was hot and a perfect day to celebrate the Historic Filipinotown Festival.

FAEALA wishes to thank members and friends who have contributed to make our participation in the street banner campaign possible.

About the festival... Temple Boulevard between Westlake and Burlington Avenues were closed off to traffic to allow for information and food booths, a performance stage and a small carnival rides for the kids. While the festival was relatively small compared to others, it was bold and big in spirit and goals. It seems to have been well attended and a few teachers were also spotted among the crowd.

Perhaps FAEALA should have a booth next year... What do you think?