Filipino-American professor,Dr. Ligaya Avenida-US panel of experts for Teacher Recruitment Standards

Dr. Ligaya Avenida is a Filipino-American professor, who has been a pioneer in bilingual education, was named as one of the members of panel of experts in the United States whose duty is to formulate uniform standards for employing teachers in US.

The US Task Force on International Teachers was a newly-established organization where Dr. Avenida was designated to serve. The said organization was formed in cooperation of the George Washington University and the US Department of Public Health Services.

Dr. Avenida mentioned in an email interview that they were pleased to the invitation of the Task Force. For her, it is required that everyone must apply some standards defining processes and procedures as the recruitment of teachers and other professionals increase.

According to her, the Task Force hopes to hear issues concerning the processes of recruiting teachers that includes matters regarding fees and the welfare of foreign instructors that were hired to teach in the US.

The Task Force aims to establish standards eliminating the procedures that do not contribute to the success of migration of Filipino professionals to work to the US.

Avenida had served in San Francisco Unified School District for 30 years. She began working as a teacher and was then promoted to be an (–foul word(s) removed–)istant to the superintendent and eventually became a director of the human resources office.

Ten years ago, she established the Avenida International Consultants that to address the lack of instructors in Science, Math and Special Education throughout the US school districts.

Since Dr. Avenida had already been tasked for the international hiring of teachers for more than 10 years, she is now an Executive Vice President for recruiting and education of the Jeepnee Inc. based in United States.

There were already 2,000 teachers sent to work on several school districts throughout the US based on what Avenida had shared. She adds that those educators have been employed and are paid with similar salaries and benefits like any other teacher working within the district.

Avenida says that the salary of each teacher depends upon their education degree. The will be earning an annual average income ranging from $40,000 to $65,000. She also mentioned that the employment terms are tied to work visa that is subjected to renewal. It will always depend on the performance of a teacher towards her duties.

Furthermore, Dr. Avenida tells that there is a set of criteria that must be followed in the selection of teachers. These includes their educational degree, number of teaching experience, knowledge of current best practices in teaching, character, beliefs as well as the strength of their commitment towards helping the children to learn.

On the other hand, Avenida is proud to say that the education officials of the United States give high regards for teachers who are Filipino citizens.

The Filipino-American educator said in a statement that the district administrators, principals and school superintendents salute to the competence and excellent work of Filipino teachers.

For Dr. Ligaya Avenida, the action of the United States on formulating a standard procedure for teachers becomes a way to step in the right direction. She is pleased to have been requested to give service on the Task Force as she goals to become an effective member of the panel.