Influencing the Future

The Filipino American Educators of Washington (FAEW) is a professional educational organization that advocates for the recruitment, growth, development, advancement, and contributions of Filipino Americans in the schools and communities they serve. Founded in 1972 by 4 Filipino American Educators in the Seattle School District by Gloria Ysmael Adams (School Counselor), Obdulia Rigor Castillo (Physical Education Teacher), David Daranciang (Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher) and Rodrigo Magat (Mathematics Teacher), the idea was to promote the presence of more Filipino American educators in the administrative, certificated and non-certificated positions in the public and private school systems.

2011 marks the 39th year of FAEW's illustrious involvement in educational excellence and community service. Through the years, its activities were focused on the accomplishment of its avowed purposes: to help improve the educational standards of the school system through the professional advancement of its members; to provide opportunities to discuss professional, cultural, social, economic and political trends and educational issues; to promote professional ideas and standards to better serve the educational objectives of Filipino American educators and students; and to raise funds for the advancement of the association's programs.

To achieve its objectives, FAEW established numerous programs:
• Celebration of Excellence in Education, a tribute to graduating high school students, their families and their teachers
• Book scholarships to students going on to college, tutition to a college student pursuing a degree in education
• The GLORIA Educator of the Year Award, an annual honor given to an outstanding active FAEW educator who has demonstrated excellence and commitment to education
• Distinguished Service Award for an FAEW Retired Educator who continues to serve the community even after retirement – donated by the family of the late Purificacion Manangan
• Literary Musical Contest, to recognize and encourage K-12 students to develop writing, reading, speaking and musical skills, through essay writing, singing in a Philippine language, playing a musical instrument, and declamation or dramatic interpretation of a self-selected literary piece or a self-authored piece
• Co-sponsor of the WASL Prep Saturday School (FILSTAR) at the Filipino Community Center for high school students during the term of Former FCS President Bert Caoili. The vision for the future is to cover pre-K, K-12 and beyond
• Annual Presidents' Day Spelling Bee for elementary students (co-sponsored with the FYA, now with the FCS; recently added, the Math Olympiad)
• Welcome Back to School Family Workshops (K-12 and beyond) in the fall since 2005 now dubbed as the Pista Sa Iskwela
• Staffed Future Teachers' Display and First Aid booth since 1990 during the SEAFAIR's Pista Sa Nayon
• Advocacy for Filipino American students, families and educators, and issues that affect the Filipino American community with regards to education
• USA-Philippine educators exchange program - visitation of schools and professional development conferences in Washington and Philippines by educators from the Philippines and Washington, respectively
• Many other community support activities

 

Participate in FAEW sponsored events "Literary Musical Contest" and "Celebration of Excellence in Education" at the Center House Conference Room H, 3rd Floor, Center House Balcony on June 4th from 12 noon to 5:30 pm.