What It’s Really Like to Be a J-1 Teacher: My Journey
Becoming a J-1 teacher was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, but it came with its own set of challenges and surprises. In this post, I’m sharing my personal journey—what I learned, what I wish I knew before I started, and how the experience shaped my teaching career. Whether you’re considering the J-1 visa or just curious about the process, I hope my story helps you understand what to expect and how to make the most of your own journey.
J.K Callow
4/20/20254 min read
Most of you are probably wondering how my J-1 teaching journey started.
It all began when my cousins, J and N went to Houston, Texas to teach. Manang N was the primary J-1 visa holder, and Manong J, along with her son JD, held J-2 visas. N, or "Manang" (which means "older sister" in Filipino), encouraged me to apply to their agency because she trusted them. In 2018, I decided to take the leap and apply.
The agency, though not widely known, promised the opportunity to teach in the US. Despite the thousands of dollars it cost me, I thought, "Why not? This could be my chance to experience teaching in the US." So, I went ahead with the process.
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The big moment came when the Clark County School District (CCSD) sent 9 officials to Cebu City, Philippines for interviews. I was nervous, to say the least. We were divided into groups, and there were 9 of us in mine. I was happy at first to see a Filipino principal as one of the interviewers. I thought, "Maybe he’ll connect with me," but that wasn’t the case. Many applicants were being rejected, and our agency consultants even mentioned they thought his goal was to fail everyone. That made me even more anxious, and as my turn approached, I felt my eyes welling up with tears. I was sitting outside with only 2 years of experience, while the teachers beside me had 10, 20, and even doctoral degrees. I knew I couldn’t go home without an offer-not this time. I even saw a friend from my province getting her job offer and signing it.
I vividly remember the applicants who came out of the interview room-red-faced, teary-eyed, and clearly disappointed. It felt like an American Idol audition where contestants leave the room without the golden ticket. The nerves hit me hard, and I thought I might pass out from the tension! I was the only one wearing a formal suit, which made me feel overheated in the cold, air-conditioned room.
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When it was finally my turn, I sat down, trying to steady my breath. The interviewer, whom I’ll call Mr. U, stood up to get some water. I overheard him talking to another principal, proudly claiming that all the teachers on his roster had failed- 7 out of 9, and I was the second to last. They laughed, and I almost fainted right then and there. I wanted to give up and walk away, but I couldn’t. I had to push through.
When Mr. U returned, he sat down, looked at my resume, then at me, and asked, "How are you feeling right now?" I nervously replied that I was feeling overwhelmed, just like everyone else outside. It felt like an American Idol audition with lots of happy and sad tears. He smiled and followed up with, “Why the U.S.? What makes you different from the other teachers here?” I was completely caught off guard—he didn’t ask me to introduce myself like I had practiced! But I took a deep breath and answered, “I appreciate your question, Mr. U. I think what sets me apart is that I graduated with my master’s degree at 23.” He responded, “Well, I’ve seen a lot of teachers with doctorates who can’t teach or handle students.” I paused because he was right- not all teachers with advanced degrees have the ability to teach.
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I then replied, “I agree. Not all teachers can teach, and not all teachers have the passion and heart for it. I have that heart. I’m new to the field, but I’m confident I can deliver quality lessons. As a special education teacher, I’ve built strong relationships with my students and communicate daily with parents. That’s passion with consistency. If you hire me, I will make you proud. I’ll come back to you and say, ‘We did it. Thank you for trusting me.’”
Long story short, he was pranking me, but I ended up getting the job offer.
So, why am I sharing this story? I’m sharing it because your journey is unique, just as mine is. You are you, and that is what makes you special. Have faith in yourself. It’s easy to feel scared or tempted to compare yourself to others, but don’t let that happen-comparison only steals your confidence. You may encounter judgment from people you know or even colleagues who might laugh at your decision to apply, questioning your teaching skills and language skills. Let them. Surprise them. You know what? If you decide to apply, do it quietly, so that when the news comes, they’ll be shocked by your success. Just be yourself, trust the process, and surrender it all to the Almighty God.
The Las Vegas Strip at night