DC Honors Asian American Teachers

By Jennie L. Ilustre

The Appreciation Reception, hosted recently by the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA), paid tribute to the rich diversity in the District. Indeed, Chancellor Kaya Henderson noted, “We are an international community.”

           The event also highlighted the major contribution of Asian Pacific Americans in the field of education in the mainstream in general, helping insure the nation’s progress and its competitive edge.

           The reception honored the outstanding works of Asian American and Pacific Islander teachers in the District.

There are over 130 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPIs) teachers serving in the D.C. Public Schools (DCPS). Many have been acknowledged for their excellent performance.

At the reception held on June 18 in Chinatown, Jonathon Jou from Jefferson Middle School and an educator for 20 years now, was awarded the DCPS Excellence in Teaching Award.

Honoree Jou received a special appreciation from Chancellor Henderson, who greeted him by name and hugged him on seeing him before the program started.

Among those present was Pavanaja Komma, currently a librarian at John Burroughs Education Campus. She is a former recipient of an outstanding teacher award from the District government, and the ceremony took place at the Kennedy Center. The award included a $6,000 prize, which she used “to visit my relatives in India.”

Other teachers present, like Shuzhi Guo of Seaton Elementary School who teaches English as a Second Language (ESL), provide Asian American students with a skill that is so essential in achieving the American Dream and becoming productive citizens in the country.

Special Ed Teachers

Then there are the likes of Maria Nguyen, a at Seaton Elementary School, who provide basic coping skills and encourage confidence to students with severe intellectual or physical disabilities.

Ms. Nguyen exemplifies those engaged in this noble profession: She doesn’t think it’s hard work.

           “The kids are great–they come to school eager to learn,” she said. “It’s so inspiring, because some of them have severe disabilities.”

           Ms. Nguyen, who came straight from graduate school in California, has been teaching in the District for two years.

She teaches children with autism and intellectual deficiencies. “I teach the kids basic daily skills, like brushing their teeth. Because of their disabilities, they really need assistance and attention. It’s difficult to make their parents involved, they are busy working hard for their families on a daily basis.”

           Ms. Nguyen was one of 26 Asian American educators in the D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) who attended the Appreciation Reception.

Chancellor Henderson thanked the teachers profusely, stressing, “I know we don’t pay you enough.” She said: “I want to thank all teachers, specially the special education teachers…All teachers treat the children as if they were your own.”

She added: “We appreciate your dedication and outstanding work for students in the District of Columbia…We are happy to partner with you. We cannot do this alone.”

“A great teacher plays the role of a parent, providing encouragement, inspiration, and guidance,” she pointed out.

Remarked Soohyun “Julie” Koo, Director of OAPIA: “We hope this event will inspire and encourage individuals to consider a career in teaching, especially within the AAPI community.”

She said the event was part of the District’s way of honoring unsung heroes. Last year, the honorees were the area’s first responders.

Surjeet Ahluwalia, Director of Asian American LEAD, was among community leaders and professionals who attended the reception.

Maria Angala, a special education teacher, thanked the District for recognizing the work of the Asian American teachers in her remarks.

Ms. Angala was among the first batches of educators who came from the Philippines with others like special ed teachers Sheila De Torres of Columbia Heights Educatioon Campus and Marcelina Pascual of Roosevelt STAY High School.

Asian Fortune is an English language newspaper for Asian American professionals in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Visit fb.com/asianfortune to stay up to date with our news and what’s going on in the Asian American community.