A meaningful cultural exchange can create an impact that reaches far beyond one classroom—or even one country.
For Jessebel Teves-Keil, an English teacher from the Philippines, her experience through the BridgeUSA J-1 Teacher Exchange Program became a journey of teaching, cultural connection, professional growth, and ultimately, educational leadership.
During her time at William C. Jack School in Arizona, Jessebel built meaningful relationships with students, families, colleagues, and school leaders. Her dedication was recognized in April 2025 when she received Glendale Elementary School District’s Teacher of the Year – James Philip Lively Inspirational Award during the district’s annual Celebration of Excellence.
Today, her journey continues thousands of miles away in New Zealand, where the lessons and practices she gained during her U.S. cultural exchange experience continue to influence her work as an educator.
Celebrating Excellence at William C. Jack School
Jessebel participated in the BridgeUSA J-1 Teacher Exchange Program at Glendale Elementary School District in Arizona from August 2022 through December 2025.
Throughout her exchange, she became more than an educator in the classroom. She developed strong relationships throughout her school community and created opportunities for students to learn about a culture beyond their own.
Her dedication to education and her school community culminated in an important recognition in April 2025: the Teacher of the Year – James Philip Lively Inspirational Award.
For IAG, Jessebel’s recognition represents exactly the kind of impact worth celebrating—not simply because of the award itself, but because of the relationships, learning, and cultural connections behind it.
Bringing the Philippines Into the Classroom
Cultural exchange was an intentional part of Jessebel’s teaching experience.
As an educator from the Philippines, she created opportunities for her U.S. students to learn about her home country through classroom presentations about Filipino culture.
But she took that exchange one step further.
Jessebel developed a pen-pal project connecting students in the United States and the Philippines. Through their conversations, students were able to compare their cultures, schools, traditions, and everyday lives.
Instead of learning about another country only through a textbook, students had the opportunity to connect directly with young people living there.
That is cultural exchange in action: creating authentic opportunities for students to become curious about one another, recognize their differences, discover what they have in common, and develop a broader understanding of the world.
When the Exchange Continues Beyond the U.S.
Jessebel’s BridgeUSA experience eventually came to an end, but the impact of that experience did not.
Today, Jessebel teaches in New Zealand, where she has incorporated instructional practices developed during her time in the United States into her new educational environment.
Her experience in Arizona introduced and strengthened practices involving learning objectives, student data tracking, positive behavior supports, classroom routines, and the gradual-release instructional model. Rather than leaving those lessons behind when she departed the United States, Jessebel carried them forward.
This is an important part of the BridgeUSA Teacher Program story.
International educators don’t only bring their own culture and educational perspectives into U.S. classrooms. They can also return—or move forward—to other educational communities with new knowledge, methodologies, relationships, and perspectives gained during their exchange.
The result is an exchange whose influence can continue traveling long after the original experience ends.
From International Teacher to Educational Leader
Perhaps one of the strongest examples of Jessebel’s continued professional growth can be seen in what happened after she arrived in New Zealand.
Within her first five months, Jessebel was appointed to two leadership roles: sports coordinator and English department team leader.
Her progression from an international teacher in Arizona to an educator taking on leadership responsibilities in another country illustrates the long-term professional impact cultural exchange can have.
The knowledge teachers gain during an exchange can become something they share with new colleagues and students elsewhere. New instructional approaches can be adapted to different educational systems. Experiences working across cultures can strengthen communication and leadership skills.
In Jessebel’s case, an experience that began with a journey from the Philippines to Arizona continues today in another part of the world.
Cultural Exchange Creates a Ripple Effect
Jessebel’s story beautifully illustrates why the BridgeUSA J-1 Teacher Exchange Program is about much more than teaching in the United States.
What began with bringing Filipino culture into an Arizona classroom grew into meaningful connections between students in the United States and the Philippines. Along the way, the exchange also became an opportunity to discover new educational practices, develop professionally, and gain experiences that would continue shaping her journey as an educator.
Today, those lessons have traveled with Jessebel to New Zealand, where they continue to influence her classroom and her growing role as an educational leader.
One teacher. Three countries. And an impact that continues to grow.
That ripple effect is one of the most meaningful outcomes of international teacher cultural exchange.
Celebrating Jessebel Teves-Keil
At IAG, we are proud to celebrate Jessebel not only for receiving the Teacher of the Year – James Philip Lively Inspirational Award, but for everything that recognition represents.
Her journey demonstrates what can happen when an educator approaches cultural exchange with curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to both share and learn.
From the Philippines to Arizona and now New Zealand, Jessebel continues to build connections, share knowledge, and grow as an educator and leader.
Congratulations, Jessebel, on this well-deserved recognition—and on the impact you continue to make around the world.
Discover More IAG Teacher Stories
Every IAG Teacher brings a unique culture, perspective, and experience to their school community—and the impact of those experiences can continue long after the exchange ends.
Discover more stories from IAG Teachers and the communities they have inspired.