LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — For the third year in a row, CCSD is welcoming dozens of special education teachers from the Philippines.
The nationwide teacher shortage forced the district to look overseas to fill vacancies.
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Rowena Tabuyo, Loremia Loremia and Janine Paula Guese are among the 57 special education teachers from the Philippines who will soon shape the minds of students in Clark County. Being away from their families in a foreign country was not an easy choice
Guese says, "It was really tough because my grandmother is really sick right now."
But it's a shot at a better future.
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"I also look forward to more opportunities, that I'm going to learn in here at the same time be able to go back to the Philippines to share what I've learned," says Tabuyo.
And a chance to send money to their families back home.
"What we earn here is I think we have to work hard for 6 months in the Philippines for a month here," says Loremia.
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The Clark County School District has been looking 7,400 miles away to fill special education vacancies since 2017 to address the nationwide teacher shortage.
The new teachers all speak English. They all have teacher exchange program visas, returning home after three years.
They all have college degrees -- some even have doctorates like Tabuyo and Loremia. They all have experience with special needs kids.
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Dr. Michael Santa Juana of the Filipino American Educators of Nevada helps with the recruits' training and cultural integration. "We follow the same curriculum with the U.S. standards and the Philippine standards. That's the advantage of the Filipino teachers so they can teach anywhere else."
The teachers are welcoming new challenges ahead of this school year, hoping to work with the district and parents to help children in the valley grow.
Loremia says, "We need your cooperation for the development of your child or children. And it's going to be a great day in my class. Welcome to teacher loris class."
