"Paghimakas": Lived Experiences of Filipino Teachers in Thailand during the Pandemic

Background/Objectives: This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of the Filipino teachers, specifically the Teacher Education (TED) graduates of Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College in the Kingdom of Thailand. Methods/Statistical analysis: A qualitative method was used to understand the subjective experiences and insights of the five participants who were purposely-selected for being graduates of the Teacher Education Program of NIPSC and employed as teachers in Thailand. Using the online medium, Messenger, they were interviewed as to their experiences and challenges encountered by working at a foreign country. Bracketing strategy was used to demonstrate validity. Answers were sent back in the form of a narrative, encoded, and interpreted to identify the themes. Participants were told that their responses will be treated with utmost confidentiality and will be utilized for this study alone and they will be coded to hide their identities. Findings: The participants viewed their experiences as full of opportunities through landing a job in a foreign country and proving their worth as good professional teachers. They also considered them as challenging because they were able to use their knowledge and skills learned and compete with other teachers in a foreign country and survive amidst conflicts in the workplace, thus made them enjoy their teaching career. They performed well in school and gained praises for work well done. Their experiences also contributed to their personal and professional growth by gaining self-confidence, trust in their potentials, and plan to improve their lives. This study also showed that despite the pandemic, the participants remained steadfast, prayerful, and have their good values intact worthy of emulation. This study may have contributed to the scant literature about the struggles of Filipino teachers to excel in their profession in a global arena by maintaining their personal and professional identities, providing evidence that they have embraced their roles as positive contributors to their learners and school communities, have overcome challenges in a foreign country, and have served as inspiration to educators to strive for excellence. Novelty/Applications: The findings of this study could serve as an inspiring note for everyone seeking for greener pasture whether here in the country or abroad. This also proved that TED graduates are resilient and strive to survive in any situation as good professionals