American Excellence in English Teaching Empowers Batanes Educators

U.S. Embassy Manila — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:08:14 +0000

Batanes teachers present their classroom strategies to a U.S. English Language Fellow during a workshop organized by the U.S. Embassy’s Regional English Language Office.

Basco, Batanes, January 28, 2026—From January 19 to 20, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, through its Regional English Language Office, equipped 50 high school teachers from across Batanes with innovative American teaching approaches that integrate artificial intelligence (AI), critical thinking, and communication skills.

Led by two English Language Fellows who are American experts from the U.S. Department of State’s English Language Fellows program, the “Engaging Learners: Communication, Criticality, and the Future of Instruction” workshop highlighted the strong academic partnership between the United States and the Philippines as the two nations celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.

“The U.S. Embassy is proud to invest in the educators of Batanes by sharing American excellence in education through expert facilitators and world-class resources,” said U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna. “By expanding their teaching methods, Batanes educators are ensuring that the next generation of Ivatans are well-prepared to enter the workforce—positioning the province for greater international collaboration and as strong future partners of American companies.”

A U.S. English Language Fellow discusses key teaching strategies with Batanes teachers.

“We are grateful to the U.S. Embassy for this multidisciplinary approach,” said Department of Education Senior Program Supervisor Kym Clyde H. Moro. “The program provided our teachers with practical tools that will greatly improve how our students learn and communicate. This is a meaningful investment in our teachers and the future of education in Batanes.”

Participants also developed “action projects” that integrate real-world data and hands-on learning, including lessons on Ivatan stone houses to promote community resilience, debates on future investment in Batanes using economic data, and cultural exchange activities comparing U.S. and Philippine traditions using American AI tools. These projects ensure classroom learning is directly connected to local community challenges.

The Regional English Language Office team also shared information on additional Embassy programming resources, which empower participants through first-hand exposure to American best practices. By investing in education and innovation, the United States and the Philippines continue to work together to make both countries more prosperous.

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American Educators Train 48 Filipino Teachers in Cutting-Edge AI and Literacy Tools

U.S. Embassy Manila — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 03:28:07 +0000

American Educators Train 48 Filipino Teachers in Cutting-Edge AI and Literacy Tools

U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna and English Language Fellows Laura Roach, Maryann Miller, and Michael Schapiro (seated) join 48 Filipino teachers at “The Educator’s Edge: Mastering Literacy, AI, and Critical Thought” workshop organized by the U.S. Embassy in Mactan, Cebu, on September 26.

Mactan, Cebu, September 30, 2025—On September 26 and 27, the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Regional English Language Office (RELO) hosted a two-day intensive training in Mactan, Cebu, to equip 48 educators from various regions across the Philippines with innovative strategies for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in their classrooms.

This professional development was facilitated by three American English Language Fellows—Laura Roach, Maryann Miller, and Michael Schapiro. These Fellows are highly-qualified U.S. TESOL professionals selected by the U.S. Department of State for 10-month assignments abroad to support public diplomacy and educational capacity building.

The workshop, entitled “The Educator’s Edge: Mastering Literacy, AI, and Critical Thought,” focused on creating an integrated learning module that guides learners from basic language skills to critical thinking skills. This module will serve as a tool for the educators to utilize in their own classrooms and share with their colleagues, creating a multiplier effect in enriched pedagogical practices.

English Language Fellow Laura Roach leads a session on integrating AI in English language instruction.

The training also provided hands-on experience to implement American-developed instructional technology. Educators were given a showcase and practical experience with a half-dozen U.S. AI/EdTech tools designed to personalize learning and increase classroom efficiency. These tools enable teachers to streamline tasks like content creation, assessment, and differentiation, allowing them to focus more on student interaction and critical thought development.

U.S. Embassy Regional English Language Officer Jeff McIlvenna framed the initiative as an investment in a critical bilateral relationship. “The paradigm of this activity was specifically designed by our American trainers for the professional development of Filipino educators,” he said. “This program is a concrete example of the robust bilateral cooperation and shared values between the United States and the Philippines, providing revolutionary techniques, and showcasing American excellence in English teaching in the Philippines.”

The program is the latest in a series of initiatives by the U.S. Embassy’s RELO to support education in the Philippines. American English Language Fellows are currently teaching and assisting in projects at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Southern Leyte State University, and Mariano Marcos State University, actively building long-term collaborations in education.

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American Excellence in English Teaching Empowers Batanes Educators

American Educators Train 48 Filipino Teachers in Cutting-Edge AI and Literacy Tools