A Pinay teacher from Laguna is now making waves in the UAE as she molds the next generation of Filipino leaders and nation builders.
Marjorie Nazaret, principal and co-founder of Al Alfiah Filipino Private School (AFPS), and recipient of the 2019 The Filipino Times Educator of the Year award, shares how she manages to take care of hundreds of young Filipino students, along with her teachers and staff under her wing in an environment that fosters and nurtures the importance of family and togetherness.
Nazaret’s inspiring story as an educator turned principal propelled her towards the achievement as reminisces the steps that she has made for this milestone in her life.
Grassroots Educator
From her humble beginnings as a teacher in the halls of Jesus the Risen Savior School in San Pedro, Laguna; Pedro E. Diaz High School, and Muntinlupa National High School as a Mathematics and Physical Education teacher, she knows and has since realized the importance of providing quality education for these young kids.
And as she took her time to equip herself with solid experiences on teaching Filipino children, she then grabbed the opportunity to teach kids overseas at what would become her new home for 8 years at the New Filipino Private School (NFPS).
“I sharpened my skills as I taught Math, Technology and Livelihood Education, and Computer subjects from Grade 5 to Grade 10 for 8 wonderful years,” reminisces Nazaret.
As years went by, she parted ways with NFPS to teach in The Philippine School – Dubai but it was during this transition that she realized that she could offer a whole lot more for the growing Filipino community by founding and heading her very own school in the UAE, AFPS.
Multi-faceted approach
One of her secrets to running a successful school overseas is her approach towards finding the middle point from different perspectives, acting as a parent, an educator, an employer, and as an established organization.
“As a parent, I understand that aside from the need of the children to have the best education, receiving the best care and support should always be a priority. As an educator, creating an impact to the students through effective school venues or activities, is an important factor.
“As an employer, I empower the teachers by giving them the opportunity to decide in any program they handle and allow them to own the activity. And finally as an established organization, I make sure that the school understands the importance of education. It is not just providing service, we make sure that we create an impact to the lives of people we are working with,” explains Nazaret.
Bridging education, technology and affordability
Nazaret affirms that while not everything runs smoothly all of the time, she treats each difficulty as a challenge that the school collectively conquers: “Running a school is never a walk in the park, it is often an uphill climb. There were countless times of inevitable failure, but being no stranger to such it fuels me to keep going further even if I know in the end I will fail. Because, in the process, I know I will learn invaluable things that will help me trek those uphill climbs like it is nothing. Through these kinds of experiences, I cultivate a culture that celebrates failure. A culture that looks at failure as if it is an opportunity to transcend oneself,” said Nazaret.
She furthers that is proud of her ongoing legacy that she believes will help spring forth a new generation of trailblazers and changemakers: “Through AFPS, I have revolutionized the seemingly stagnating Filipino education by providing an alternative that is budget friendly yet at par with international school standards. I have struck the balance between quality high-tech education and affordability.”
Nazaret hopes that many Filipino families will get to provide their children with the quality education that will help them realize their dreams and aspirations for the future. “I may not be in the classrooms anymore, but I am still instrumental in educating the Filipino youth. AFPS has fulfilled my aspiration as a teacher of being able to educate the Filipino youth in a wider reach as it’s now an instrument that helps shape the future of the Filipino youth in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, and inadvertently, molds the future of the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, and the rest of the world,” said Nazaret.
Inspiring fellow educators
Nazaret also wishes for fellow educators to continue guiding the next generation of leaders towards a path filled with challenges for them to grow better: “Education is the most important tool that will make sure that our younger generation will be guided well to the right path they need to take. I hope that we, as educators, would be there to encourage them when they need it most. We should deliver the needed skills they must learn, and understand who they are and what they need. We should also learn to sincerely care for them, always stand by their side and take time to be with them. Lastly, we should inspire the youth and open our minds to the possibility of making an impact to all the lives of younger generation and never ever give up on them.”
