Special education in the Marion School District is getting a boost this year with the arrival of a team of highly qualified educators from the Philippines.
Three of the Filipino educators joined the school district in August. Three others arrived in September, and the last two arrived early in October. They come to Marion with a wealth of experience and qualifications among them, including five doctoral degrees, 13 master’s degrees, and eight bachelor’s degrees. Combined, the eight teachers have 119 years of experience in education.
“We couldn’t be more happy to welcome these outstanding educators to our special education team,” said Dr. Glen Fenter, Marion superintendent. “They have already begun to make a significant impact on the quality of education for students with special needs. At Marion, we are committed to enhancing the learning environment for all students, and the addition of these passionate and experienced professionals is a key part of that mission. These teachers bring with them a wealth of international experience and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments.”
The Marion School District worked through a company called Career Studios Inc. to recruit and place the Filipino educators. Career Studios is a U.S.-based company that specializes in placing international teachers at American schools. The company focuses on special education, English, ESOL, and mathematics.
The international teachers coming to Marion, and their years of experience in education, are as follows:
Ludy Englis – 27 years
Janet R. Alqueza – 25 years
Grace L. Pil Engin – 23 years
Jeovanie Tariman – 12 years
Jellie Anne L. Sical – 9 years
Maria Lea U. Cabudbud – 9 years
Flora Mae Jainar – 8 years
Peaches M. Tampus – 6 years
For the Filipino teachers, joining the Marion School District has been a smooth experience. One of the new educators, Ludy Englis, shared her excitement about joining the Marion team.
"I am currently assigned to teach as a resource teacher at Marion Junior High School,” Englis said. “Before I came here, I taught in my home country for 27 years as an inclusive teacher for junior high and volunteered as a special education teacher. I am very fortunate to be one of your teachers here because of the support I have received from the district and the school. It’s amazing to me and feels like my ‘second home.’ Though I miss my family, the support I’ve received here has lightened my heart. I hope to broaden my knowledge through the support and training provided, and be as productive as possible."
Flora Mae Jainar, another new addition to the district, is already making an impact at Marion Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, where she works as a self-contained special education teacher.
"I spent eight years teaching in Thailand before coming here, and I wanted to expand my teaching experience in a new educational setting,” Jainar said. “The district has been incredibly helpful, which has made my transition much smoother. One of the key differences I’ve noticed here is the strong focus on individualized learning, which is both refreshing and challenging. I’m looking forward to connecting more with my students and becoming more involved in the community."
Meanwhile, Jeovanie Tariman, who has taken a role at Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet, is equally thrilled with his new role.
"Before joining Marion, I spent 12 years as a kindergarten teacher and one year as a college instructor in the Philippines,” he said. “I came here to broaden my experience, and Marion has already felt like a second home. The strong team support, exceptional mentorship, and well-equipped classrooms have been incredible. I’m eager to settle into a routine and continue my growth in this role with the district’s professional development programs."
All eight international teachers are coming to Marion through the H-1B Visa Program for Specialty Occupations, which is a nonimmigrant classification. Rachael Vaughn, the district’s director of human resources and legal affairs, said the process to get the teachers here has taken months of work, coordinating with both Career Studios and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“This has been a months-long process that required constant communication between our school district, Career Studios, and Immigration Services,” Vaughn said. “We had actually hoped to get all of our teachers here earlier in the summer, but the process was delayed several times as we worked through some of the bureaucratic hurdles. We’ve also worked hard to pool community resources to ensure our new teachers all have the resources they need to set up their residence here in the Marion community. I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to welcome them and help make their move here go smoothly, helping ensure our most vulnerable students have the resources they need.”
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.