Filipina named one of New York's top teachers

Filipina teacher Marietta Geraldino (second from left, first row) received her Big Apple Award from New York City Michael Bloomberg (fourth from left, front row). Photo courtesy of New York City Department of Education's Facebook page

MANILA - A Filipina teacher is among the 11 recipients of the first-ever city-wide "Big Apple Awards", which recognizes the top teachers in public schools across New York City.

Marietta Geraldino is a 10th and 11th grade geometry teacher at the Frederick Douglas Academy II in Harlem, Manhattan.

In a press release by the NYC Department of Education, Geraldino is described as a teacher who provides her students with the opportunity and expectation that they will master content in order to learn about the world around them and develop the confidence necessary to succeed in life.

Geraldino has been teaching for 24 years, 9 years in New York and 15 years in the Philippines.

"I was a high school teacher for eight years in a Catholic University and then I went to teach in college at the same university. I graduated school and I became an executive, a Research Planning Director and Vice President for Academic Affairs. After that I became a Program Director. Then, I came to New York, and became a teacher again as an International Teacher," Geraldino wrote on her profile posted on the school's website.

Geraldino has two master's degrees--one in Math and the other in Educational Measurement and Evaluation. She then went for a fellowship in Australia at Queensland University of Technology and received a certificate in Teacher Education. She got her my doctorate degree in Educational Management.

The mother of four confessed that teaching for her is never boring.

"I cannot picture myself doing something else. You have to be good at what you’re doing and you must love what you’re doing and love the children for you to be able to teach in New York successfully. It takes a lot of heart," she further wrote on her profile.

Last week, Geraldino and 10 other teachers were honored by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott in a ceremony held at Gracie Mansion.

"Great teachers are a school's most valuable asset, and we must recognize their skills and the impact they have on our students - even beyond the classroom," said Mayor Bloomberg.

The program recognizes the city's best teachers and support a system-wide conversation about excellence in the classroom. All award recipients receive a $3,500 classroom grant to deepen their work with students.

"The Big Apple Awards celebrate the unsung heroes who go above and beyond every day on behalf of our 1.1 million students. This group of awardees is a shining example of the wonderful diversity of teachers throughout New York City's public schools," said Walcott.

The program received more than 2,000 nominations from students, families, teachers, school staff, administrators and other community members.