A FILIPINO special education teacher has been awarded in the US for her dedication to teaching.

Ella Wagan-Nava was the first Filipino to receive the Heart of Education Award, which recognizes outstanding teachers at Clark county schools in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Wagan-Nava admitted that there are many challenges in teaching children with special needs, especially during the height of the Covid19 pandemic where they were forced to switch to online and hybrid learning from traditional face-to-face classes.

“Mas gusto ko makita ‘yong estudyante ko next to me than online, kasi sobrang limited ‘pag online. Pero ayun nga lang, ang dami mong preparation saka parang inaasikaso mo online tapos may inaasikaso ka sa gilid,” she said.

“I find joy in teaching them kasi lahat ituturo mo tapos kaunting achievement lang ng bata, like, if my student imitated me verbally, sobrang laking achievement na ‘yon for me,” she said.