American educators and leaders of Filipino descent to be celebrated at TEACH awards event in New York City
First Filipino American TEACH Awards to Celebrate Multicultural Excellence in Education
New York City will play host to the inaugural Filipino American TEACH Awards on August 22, as 15 individuals and one organisation are set to be honoured for their outstanding achievements in education and leadership.
The awards, organised by the International Association of Multicultural and Filipino American Educators, Inc. (IAM FAME), aim to advance visibility, support, and equity for multicultural educators and leaders. IAM FAME, founded in March, is dedicated to supporting multicultural educators, promoting Filipino heritage, and creating inclusive learning environments.
Among the recipients of the awards are Jocelyn delos Santos, who will receive the Community Engagement Award; Arnold Libayo, who will receive the Innovative Teaching Award; Elton Lugay, who receives the Cultural Heritage Award for his community organizing and initiatives highlighting Filipino American excellence; and Shawn Chisty, who will receive the Educational Leadership Award.
Other honourees include Nadia Jackson Henry, who receives the Inclusive Teaching Award for her focus on equity and social justice as a special education and math teacher; Arwin Alitagtag, who receives the Dedicated Service Award for fostering a college-going culture as a math teacher in Salt Lake City; Bernadeth Peña, who receives the PEACE Award for her child-centered teaching and cross-border education initiatives; Joel Dogelio, who receives the PRIDE Award for his work in early childhood education innovation in the Bronx; and Kate Nwako, who will receive the Teacher Impact Award.
In addition, Dr. Everly Rose Platon will receive the Inspiring Minds Award; Dr. Ana Isabel Espino will receive the Teaching Excellence Award; and Talisay Association USA receives the Spirit of Solidarity Award for their civic outreach work in the US and the Philippines. Dr. Francisco Sy will receive the Beacon of Light Award for his work as a public health professional and advocate for health equity.
The ceremony will also present the Patriotic Women's Award to Judilyn Canete for founding MedStar Billing, which supports healthcare training in underrepresented sectors. The event will culminate with the presentation of the Treasure of the People Award to Cristina DC Pastor for her work as editor of TheFilAm.net and host of Makilala TV.
The TEACH Awards are planned to become an annual celebration of Filipino pride and excellence in education and leadership, recognising the outstanding achievements of multicultural educators and leaders and fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.
The International Association of Multicultural and Filipino American Educators (IAM FAME) commends Elton Lugay for his contributions in education and self-development, as he receives the Cultural Heritage Award for his efforts in promoting Filipino American excellence.
Judilyn Canete, founder of MedStar Billing, is being honored with the Patriotic Women's Award for her work in healthcare training, showcasing a dedication to education and a commitment to her community.
