Angela Paula Apolonio is Bridging Cultures Through Education at Archway Scottsdale

Angela Paula Apolonio is currently working as an Exceptional Student Services (ESS) Coordinator at Archway Scottsdale through a cultural exchange program. Originally from the Philippines, she is teaching in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa, which provides foreign nationals like her the opportunity to participate in educational and cultural programs.

During this three-year program they not only teach but also learn about the American education system. They are tasked with sharing their own cultural experiences while immersing themselves in new strategies and approaches to education, which they will later apply in their home countries. This opportunity for Paula Apolonio was made possible through her sponsor, the International Alliance Group, which partners with institutions like Great Hearts Academies to place international teachers in U.S. schools.

She was inspired to pursue a career in special education in the Philippines after watching a member of her own family navigate the special education system and seeing the impact it had on the rest of the family. This motivated her to take a path in college that could make a difference in the lives of children with special needs. She said this is an underdeveloped field in the Philippines, where resources and trained teachers are limited.

After earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education, Paula Apolonio’s commitment to supporting students with special needs has now brought her to the United States, where she’s gaining a broader perspective on special education.

Paula Apolonio admits she knew little about Great Hearts Academies before her placement, but she now commends the classical charter network and its community. “It’s an amazing school,” she shared. “The administrator the administrators and the team are very supportive. It’s just an amazing environment to work in.”

At Archway Scottsdale, she works with students from kindergarten to fifth grade, providing specialized support in reading, math, and other supplementary services. She’s been impressed by the collaborative environment, where she is part of a team of professionals, unlike in the Philippines where special education teachers often work solo.

One of the most significant differences Angela has noticed is the systematic approach to special education in the U.S., compared to the Philippines, where resources like occupational and speech therapy are often privately funded by families, the U.S. offers a structured support system within schools. She’s been particularly amazed by the compliance processes that ensure students receive the services they need.

As part of the cultural exchange, Paula Apolonio also hopes to bring elements of her Filipino heritage into her work at Archway Scottsdale. She plans to introduce activities and strategies from the Philippines that haven’t been tried in her current school, hoping they might enhance the student experience and offer fresh perspectives to her colleagues.

Outside of the classroom, she is adjusting to life in a new country. The Arizona heat was a bit of a shock to her when she first arrived in the summer. She said she is used to the humid climate of the Philippines and has had to adjust to the “dry heat” of the desert as well as navigating the chill of air-conditioned classrooms.

While she found the initial transition challenging, her colleagues have been welcoming, and she’s made new friends along the way. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Arizona’s scenic beauty, with Sedona and Flagstaff being among her favorite destinations so far. She also finds joy in trying new foods, and admitted that while it is not fancy, Chick-fil-A has become one of her current favorite American dining spots.

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