Road to greener pastures
Teaching is the noblest profession. A teacher does not simply work to impart knowledge to learners but to shape their minds and build their characters as well to become productive citizens.
Hence, teachers are respected and regarded as significant figures in the society, especially here in our country. There is nothing more satisfying than having a job that positively influences the life of others, and the future of a nation.
Ideally, yes, it is true. The heart of a Filipino teacher is always full that it could not ask for more.
Moreover, beginning a career in public teaching means security and stability. One will never have to worry again about being unemployed. It is a lifetime job.
But regrettably, it appears that constant rallies/demonstrations by teachers asking for salary increase mean that filling the pockets is a different story.
Our high regard for the teaching profession and the salary that comes with it is perceived to be a paradox.
Since the 1980s, teachers in the country have been claiming to be overworked and underpaid. They are constantly praised for carrying out responsibilities and tasks that are even beyond the nature of the job.
Yet, the fight for a higher salary is seemingly endless.
According to a comparison of salaries by the ASEAN in 2019, the Philippines ranked third to the last. Our entry level salary of P20,754 did not even match the average teaching wage in the Region.
Some say what we receive is a sufficient amount, and teachers are just fighting for an increase to cover for their over-spending or over-borrowing.
Teachers, in return, have criticized the government for the inadequate provision of educational materials which forces the teachers to spend their personal money.
Whoever throws or takes the blame, whether it be true or not, would it not be great to hear a way out? Just in case. After all, a greener pasture is always part of an employee’s dream. As for teachers, not anymore.
In the past years, the US government has been experiencing a shortage of teachers, particularly in the states of Arizona and Nevada. To fill the gap, the government has opened its doors to foreign teachers who wish to teach in the US through the J1 visa.
The J1 Teacher Program is a non-immigrant cultural exchange program which offers teaching positions to foreign teachers in accredited host schools for a period of three years or more.
The aim is to share educational and cultural practices as they teach American students full-time.
Due to its minimal requirements and fast processing of partner agencies, the applicants and grantees are growing in number every year. More and more Filipinos are becoming members of the American teaching community.
If you are currently teaching in a public school here, with at least three years of experience, and are proficient in the English language, you are one step closer to living the American dream.
And even if you initially do not have such ambition, the starting monthly salary of $300 or P150,000 will certainly bring you this instant to the sites of partner agencies either out of curiosity or genuine interest.
These agencies are all over the web, just waiting for applicants from countries like the Philippines, who wish to get a taste of high salary rates.
However, nothing great comes without a risk. Homesickness, culture shock, and security are just some of the things that might get in the way — difficult situations one does not necessarily have to deal with here in our beloved country, despite our meager salary.
Filipino teachers are known to be competent and hard-working, thus, are given much consideration as applicants. May it be for a dream, financial stability, cultural exchange, or setting foot on American soil, worth it or not, it is appeasing to know that a greener pasture awaits teachers who might really feel the need to go.
Jamm Y. Villavecencio
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