Michaella Banate

Meet Michaella Banate from the Philippines

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What has been your most memorable cultural experience so far?

I have been teaching in my home country, the Philippines, for 7 years before I became a cultural teacher exchange here in the US and I have been teaching here for four years now. I have to say that this has been an incredible opportunity for my professional and personal growth as an educator, meeting culturally diverse people and learning so many things from different perspectives.

I have so many remarkable cultural experiences but the best so far is getting recognition from our school, district and state. My first year of teaching is not a walk in the park, I have to make so many adjustments to better my classroom management and strategies and to connect and build relationships among my American students and colleagues. After gaining confidence and understanding how things work here as a teacher, I have been awarded in my school as Rookie of the Year during my 2nd year, then Teacher of the Year during my 3rd year. I was also recognized as a Legendary and Spotlight Teacher in my district, Most Valuable Teacher in STEM by DBacks, an organization in state giving back to educators, and as an Honorable Mention in Arizona Science Teacher of the Year in 2022. It is humbling to be awarded with so many distinctions as a foreign national teacher but I can't be more proud as a J1 educator, making a mark in this exceptional journey.  

What has been your favorite part about living in the US?

Living in the US is living the American Dream. I have been dependent to my family all my life back in my home country but now that I am here, I have to be independent and take every opportunity to learn and grow. My most favorite part is traveling to many places and different states not just for leisure but also for gaining professional advancement. Many organizations here in the US support teachers by providing all expense paid professional development trainings. Recently, I was able to travel to Washington D.C. to attend a National Conference among STEM and Research teachers. I met some of the influential people in Science and STEM education and I am now part of national organizations that I can utilize to support Science education in my own classroom. Traveling with fellow J1 teachers is one of my favorite part as I explore the beauty of this country and share my own culture as well everywhere I go.

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What has been the most challenging?

The most challenging was the first year adjustment. I remember my first year, I live with fellow J1 teachers in one house, with no car and just trying to survive each day away from our families. Public transportation is a challenge where we live, so we need to carpool or ride a bicycle just to go shopping in the groceries. Work adjustment is also a real big thing. Students are different when it comes to behavior. There is communication barrier as English is not my first language, I have to adjust with conversational English among my students and colleagues. The curriculum are taught differently too. But after weeks of observing and gaining knowledge from my mentors, I started connecting with everyone around me, and I gain confidence in teaching my area on content in a way my students would really learn and understand the lessons I am sharing to them. The most rewarding is that students after a year will continue to communicate or just get back to you to say they miss you as their teacher and that they learned so many things from you.

Do you have tips for your fellow J-1 teachers?

As a cultural exchange teacher, we must be willing to learn and be teachable. I know we have lots of things to share to our students and colleagues but it is also essential to gain different perspective from other's experiences as well. As a J-1, our responsibility is to build connections by sharing our culture here in the US and also bringing the American culture as we go back to our home country after our program. Take advantage of the resources that your school and state offer and make the most out of your stay by traveling, meeting people and making memories.

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