During his trip to the Philippines, Dr. Carruthers was able to meet up with one of our recent graduates and hear how God is using the training she received at BJU in an international school setting.
Let’s begin by having you tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well, my name is Ana Carandang. I was born on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. When it came time for college, I first got my associate degree in Bible and Music Ministry at Bob Jones Memorial Bible College in the Philippines because I believe that God called me to be in full-time ministry in church. After that, I went on to Bob Jones University to receive my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in music. After that, I completed my Master of Education degree in Teaching and Learning from SCOPE.
And so, now you are teaching at Southern Palawan Christian Academy in the Philippines. Tell us about your time and responsibilities there.
SPCA started nine years ago, and I was one of the first teachers hired. I started off as a kindergarten teacher before I went to BJU. Now that I am back, I am teaching English to Grades 4-7, and I am the adviser of Grade 6. Also, I am the school principal.
That’s excellent. Tell us what a typical day looks like for you at your school.
Our school starts at 7:30 AM when the faculty and staff meet to have devotions and pray as a group. Then the whole day, I jump from one class to another. When the kids are dismissed, I focus on my administration jobs, such as checking papers, submitting required documents for the Department of Education in the Philippines, planning for the next day’s lessons, and checking with the teachers regarding student needs or teaching strategies.
Sounds like you are staying busy.
Definitely! This school year, the Department of Education granted us government recognition in the elementary department (meaning we will not have to apply for a permit for another 50 years). The Lord graciously granted the desires of our hearts. We are the first private school in our town to have a government permit. It is also a testimony of God’s grace in other private schools that God answers prayer. SPCA started with 44 preschoolers and now we have 305 students from K3- 10th grade. Our prayer is that God would use our school to exalt His name in our town.
What are the challenges and blessings of your position?
It’s always a blessing to serve God through teaching. It’s a blessing to see God work in the life of young people and change them to follow Christ. Also, whenever they understand a lesson and thank me because they got the lesson, it is fulfilling. There are challenges in being both the principal and a teacher. One of the challenges is to deal with the students and their parents. Since we have open enrollment, kids from the community and their parents often have different values. As a Christian educator, this is challenging because I have to deal with the problem, but at the same time, be a testimony to them.
What are your professional goals for this coming school year, and what are you doing to invest in the spiritual and professional growth of your teachers?
I want to be a help and encouragement to the teachers in our school. As much as I can, I sit with them and talk to them about their days or about their students. I check with them and encourage them about their spiritual walk. Also, I suggest new strategies and techniques in teaching. I also ask them about what they need or what can help them.
You went through our online master’s program. What would you say to encourage other faculty to work on pursuing an advanced degree themselves?
In most countries, having an advanced degree is an advantage to the work or to the job. As an educator, learning never stops. There is always something to learn and one way to learn more is to get an advanced degree.
How did your training at BJU prepare you for your current position?
I am grateful to the Lord that He gave me the opportunity to study at BJU. BJU prepared to be a better servant of the Lord. They influenced me to always reach for excellence and serve God in every opportunity I get. As I reminisce about my days at BJU, my methods classes were my favorite classes because they were very helpful not just during Clinical Practice days, but in the “real world.”
What would you say to other graduates, or soon to be graduates, to encourage them to consider serving at an international school?
Asian countries value education. Teachers are highly esteemed in Asian countries. Most students respect teachers and love learning. Most importantly, it provides an opportunity to share the Gospel with the kids and their families.
