– Post by current LTS student Emma Snyder

It’s been another crazy week of weather in Eugene! Don’t worry friends; winter’s end comes ever nearer, and all of us at LTS are excited to welcome in the spring! We hope you all are looking forward to the end of another productive term, and have made some plans over break to celebrate all your hard work. Today, we are spotlighting Aissa Canteras. Welcome, Aissa! Please, tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello! My name is Aissa, and I’m an international graduate student from Manila, Philippines. I’m taking the 2-year track of the LTS Program, and am currently in my second year. It’s hard to believe how I had a completely different career path many (many) years ago. I graduated with a major in Business Management and took on a corporate job for a couple of years. It was a rewarding experience but it wasn’t the right job for me. Somehow I knew I wanted to teach so I shifted careers and never looked back.

It is always so fascinating to hear how our students have come to join us in the program. We are so glad you are here, and so excited that you have found a home in language teaching. Was there something that first piqued your interest toward teaching? Toward UO?

After my first year of working as a preschool teacher, I went back to school to earn my Masters in Education. Before my graduation, I joined a global internship program where I took a 6-month language teaching internship in Japan. Two months into my stay, the school director shared her plans of launching a bilingual program and offered me a permanent teaching job. I was over the moon! I completed my masters, returned to Japan, and taught in the kindergarten. Because the program was fairly new, I became so invested in finding ways to provide effective and meaningful learning experiences in the classroom. Language also became a huge part in our home because we were learning Japanese and teaching our eldest child Filipino. Over the years, I definitely grew a deeper love for the field.

After two years, I gave birth to my second child and decided to take a break from teaching. What originally was a one-year teaching hiatus got extended when the world unexpectedly shut down. While on an extended hiatus, I came across the LTS Program. I remember feeling so excited about how it offers the flexibility for students to focus on various languages. And now here I am!

It sounds like you’ve had some truly incredible and rewarding experiences. From your time teaching, are there any moments in particular that stand out? Moments that you feel specifically fond about?

In the Philippines, I tutored school-aged children in Filipino and English. I also briefly taught Japanese ELLs online. Most of my students were adults but had varying proficiency levels so it was a challenge having to constantly adjust based on their needs. In Japan, aside from teaching in the kindergarten (children ages 3-6), I also taught 1st and 2nd graders in English after-school programs. I’m currently a classroom tutor and conversation partner at the AEI, and also a language teacher to my kids at home.

That is wonderful! Now that you’ve been in the program for a bit, what would you say is a highlight of your time here?

I absolutely love being in the classroom! Just the thought of being a student is already a highlight for me. I love how I’m gaining so much inspiration and knowledge from our professors’ different teaching methods and styles, and also from the way they manage classes and find ways to cater to the needs of their students. I’m not only learning about language pedagogy but I’m also learning how to teach. I also have to mention that another highlight is being part of two cohorts. I love the supportive environment and that everyone is helping one another succeed.

There truly is a wonderful community to work with and learn from. After you complete your master’s, do you have any plans for your future in teaching?

Aside from teaching, I’m interested in learning more about early dual language learning so I can find ways to promote early bilingualism to Filipino families living in the Philippines or abroad. I hope to develop Filipino language materials, particularly storybooks, and also offer Filipino immersion classes for children. I’m currently designing a curriculum in one of my classes so I’m excited.

That sounds incredibly exciting! Early dual language learning is truly fascinating. Lastly, what is something outside of language teaching that you are passionate about? A fun fact about yourself that others may not know?

I love making things! My most recent project was a colossal squid costume which my son wore last Halloween. Aside from my random projects, I love spending time and traveling with my family.