Empowering Educators: Filipinx Teachers Forum
30+ Filipinx international teachers from five school districts gathered at the Philippine Center of Minnesota for discussions around legal pathways and cultural adjustments through presentations, workshops and storytelling. Attendees came from ISD 14, 28, 288, 622, 62.
On March 14, 2026, the Philippine Center of Minnesota in Maplewood buzzed with energy as Filipinx international teachers on H-1B visas gathered to share their experiences. Sponsored by Philippine Center of MN (PCM), Filipinx for Immigrant Rights in MN (FIRM) and Elevate Teaching, the majority of the educators in attendance were Special Education teachers, bringing vital expertise to U.S. K-12 public schools.
The event featured legal insights on visa rights from attorney Loan Huynh (Fredrikson and Byron), alongside cultural workshops led by local Filipina American educators Glazell Toledo (PELSB board member) and Jen Shier (Educators For Excellence Teacher Action Team). Additionally, Elevate Teaching specialists Dr. Marci Levy-Maguire, Seema Pothini and Media & Public Engagement Specialist Marlina Gonzalez facilitated story circles. Teachers shared unique on-the-ground challenges, ranging from navigating Minnesota winters to adapting to American classroom norms, such as students casually addressing teachers by their first names.
The gathering underscored the profound impact of community support on professional success. Reflecting on the event's collaborative atmosphere, ISD 622 Superintendent Christine Tucci Osorio noted that international teachers are often more comfortable asking questions and speaking up when they are training alongside peers from their cultural community.
Asked what we can do for teachers through Elevate Teaching, Superintendent Tucci Osorio said, “Anything that can facilitate our existing teachers and elevate their voices in knowing how they’re really experiencing our schools.
Providing spaces and opening dialogues such as this event is the ultimate key to empowering educators, ensuring BIPOC teachers in general feel heard, valued, and fully equipped to thrive in our schools.