Blog
Featured Teachers

Minard Abenojar

Minard Abenojar from the Philippines shares his experience teaching in the US.
October 28, 2024

Table of contents

Meet Minard Abenojar from the Philippines

What was your most memorable experience while in the US?

My most memorable cultural experience was during the cultural week. I learned about cultural foods and had an opportunity to taste a native favorite, Akutaq (Eskimo Ice Cream). I participated in playing the Yupik drums for the native dance. At the end of the cultural week, the school put on a feast for the village and the teachers prepared food from our personal cultures and we were able to share our native food, “Pansit Bihon” with the local community. Another exciting cultural experience is during the Yup'ik class the students are taught to sew native garments such as the mittens and hats made with beaver fur. I made a pair of mittens for myself too. I was able to teach Filipino songs in my class. I am so glad hearing Americans who are singing Filipino songs such as, “Maliliit na Gagamba” (“Incy-Wincy Spider”) and “Ako ay may Lobo” (“I have Baloon”). They were fun singing these songs with actions.

What has been the most challenging?

The most challenging experience for me is finding the way to instill hope in my students. They haven’t experienced life outside this village. Hunting and fishing is their way of life in helping provide for their families and elders. I work hard daily to motivate my students to value the importance of education.

What advice do you have for your fellow J-1 teachers?

To my fellow J-1 teachers, you must be resilient and brave to face difficulties. This is our life now. Be inspired! Be motivated for the sake of our family. Know the reward of imparting knowledge to your students and giving them hope for a future is more rewarding than the tangible things in life.

Latest from Blog

More News & Stories

Stay up to date with our Intrax Education most recent blog posts.

Featured Teachers

Garcia Forbes Davis

Garcia Forbes Davis from Jamaica shares her experience teaching in the US.
November 18, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Dante Caseldo, Alma Guevarra, Annabelle Sison, Alona Galgo, and Romel Gatila

Dante Caseldo, Alma Guevarra, Annabelle Sison, Alona Galgo, and Romel Gatila share their experience in the US.
October 28, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Mary Rose Saycon

Mary Rose Saycon from the Philippines shares her experience about teaching in the US.
October 28, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Cristine Legaspi

Cristine Legaspi from the Philippines shares her experience teaching in the US.
October 28, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Rockhem Jade Raclip

Rockhem Jade Raclip from the Philippines shares his experience teaching in the US.
October 22, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Daniel Ferry

Daniel Ferry from the United Kingdom shares his experience teaching in the US.
October 22, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Michaella Banate

Michaella Banate from the Philippines shares her experience teaching in the US.
October 22, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Tamar Mota

Tamar Mota from Germany shares her experience teaching in the US.
October 22, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Are-Pee M. Castalon

Are-Pee M. Castalon from the Philippines shares his experience teaching in the US.
October 22, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Acer Ann Pitas

Acer Ann Pitas from the Philippines shares her experience teaching in the US.
October 22, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Excell Daguinotan

Excell Daguinotan from the Philippines shares his experience of teaching in the US.
October 22, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Chablefac Forchap

Chablefac Forchap from Cameroon shares his experience teaching in the US
October 18, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Hjayella Mandrique

Hjayella Mandrique from the Philippines shares her experience teaching in the US
October 14, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Moses Nkoroi

Moses Nkoroi from Kenya shares his experience teaching in the US
October 14, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Firstcoast News Teacher of the Week: Jumar Birao

Jumar Birao from the Philippines, one of our J-1 teachers, was recently chosen by First Coast News as their Teacher of the Week!
October 14, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Virginiah Onyara

Virginiah Onyara from Kenya shares her story of teaching in the USA.
July 15, 2024
Read more
Featured Teachers

Zavala Zavala, Bella

Zavala Zavala, Bella from Ecuador shares her story of teaching in the USA.
August 13, 2024
Read more

Enseña en el extranjero en los EE. UU.

Unimos profesores de todo el mundo con las escuelas K-12 de EE. UU. para fomentar la comprensión y la conexión culturales.

__wf_reserved_heredar