Bahrain-based educator and member of the Filipino Writers’ Circle (FilWrite) Bahrain, Ruth, has been selected for a prestigious exchange program in the United States. With 17 years of teaching experience, Ruth sees this opportunity as a way to enhance her teaching methods and interact with fellow educators. She will be an Ambassador Teacher at John W. Tolbert Elementary School in Virginia’s Loudon County Public School District, where she plans to share her insights and creative teaching approaches to inspire colleagues and students.
President of FilWrite, Cecilia V. Ancheta, expressed pride in Ruth’s achievement and emphasized the opportunity this exchange program provides to showcase the Filipino cultural heritage in American educational settings. Selected educators engage in professional development and exchange best practices with American counterparts through the program facilitated by Participate Learning.
Ruth's colleague, Rodel Pomperada, commended her accomplishments and offered pragmatic advice as she transitions to teaching in the US. Ruth's selection for the exchange program highlights her exceptional teaching skills and dedication to education, as recognized through a competitive evaluation process. Vice President of FilWrite Bahrain, Ruth Mirhan Orense, is thrilled about the prospect of contributing to the literary community and promoting cross-cultural understanding through education.
The Filipino Writers’ Circle endeavors to nurture Filipino literature through workshops, readings, and literary events that encourage dialogue on themes related to Filipino culture and identity. Despite the transition to a different educational landscape in the US, Ruth is reminded to leverage the professional network she has built in Bahrain and maintain her teaching excellence and student-centered approach.
The exchange program signifies the transformative impact of education and the positive influence of cross-cultural collaborations in empowering individuals. Filipino Writers’ Circle members are encouraged to support and mentor one another, creating a supportive environment for writers and literary enthusiasts. Although departing from Bahrain is a significant change, Ruth is excited to embark on this new chapter of her teaching career, recognizing the difference she has already made in Bahrain's educational community.