Ledwina goes beyond classrooms for a US masterals law degree

Ledwina C. Teston with this writer

By Susan Palmes-Dennis 

ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—Ledwina C. Teston enjoys teaching reading and math to exceptional children at Lexington Middle School and her eyes glowed while telling me this during one Saturday at a Filipino festival sometime ago at Oakridge.

This petite Filipina is smart, articulate and intelligent and despite her hectic work schedule she finds time to study law here in the US. She is licensed to teach  in the Philippines and holds a Professional Educator’s License here in the state of North Carolina. 

Back in the Philippines she is a sought after speaker in coaching, mentoring and learning and had been a recipient of numerous awards. 

She has a double doctorate in education. At one time she contributed to the official news magazine for Senior Citizens of her city. 

It’s been quite a journey for this educator who hails from Barangay Sta Fe to Barangay 86 Manlurip San Jose Tacloban City. 

PROUD TO BE AMERICAN. Ledwina at a Fil-Am program

Take time to read through my Q and A with her: 

Ledwina: Ten years from now, I imagine myself standing at the intersection of education and law, bridging two fields that have defined my life. 

I see myself mentoring the next generation of teachers and young lawyers, influencing policies that protect the vulnerable and continuing to champion the rights of children with special needs. 

I also hope to be a catalyst of change—someone who inspires innovation and reform in the educational sphere, working to make this world a better place for the generations of young learners to come.

But beyond titles and accomplishments, I hope my legacy will be simple yet lasting—that I was a teacher who never stopped learning, an advocate who never stopped fighting, and a woman of faith who never stopped giving. 

If my students, both in the classroom and in life, can say that I touched their journey, inspired them to believe in themselves, and sparked positive change, then I will know that my life, refined like gold through trials, was lived with meaning and purpose

Q: Your favorite motto/words of wisdom, author or writer and why?

A: I always carried in my heart the wisdom from the Bible specifically Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” 

These words were my compass through every season of my life—from my earliest days as a young teacher in the Philippines to pursuing my law degree today in the United States. 

They remind me that knowledge and success mean little without faith, humility, and a clear sense of purpose, even in the face of trials and obstacles.

There were times I felt like I was placed in the furnace of fire—tested through challenges that stretched my spirit and demanded perseverance. 

But just as Job said, “When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10), and as Jeremiah reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). 

Today, I can say that every hardship has refined me, making me stronger, wiser, and more compassionate, shaping me into someone who can serve others with both heart and conviction. 

Q: Best time of the day?

A: The early morning is the most sacred part of my day. Before the world becomes busy, I find a quiet space to pray, reflect, and prepare my heart. It is during these moments of stillness that I gather strength for both my students and my studies in law. 

The early hours remind me that every day is a fresh beginning, a new opportunity to touch lives and serve with purpose. For me, morning is not just a time of day—it is a symbol of hope and renewal.

Q: Favorite time of the day 

A: After my prayer time, I hold on to a simple personal mantra: to start the day right, I must first fix my bed. 

For me, an unmade bed feels like something unfinished, something unsettled—and once I set it in order, it gives me a sense of peace and discipline. It may seem like a small act, but it is my way of telling myself, “You are ready for the day.”

From there, I proceed to prepare my breakfast, which I call my “snottie”—a nourishing blend of different fruits and vegetables. 

It fuels my body the same way prayer fuels my spirit. With that balance of discipline, health, and faith, I step into each day prepared to give my best to others.

Q: Why study education and  law in the US? 

A: Education was my life’s calling for 25 years. From teaching young children in kindergarten to guiding graduate students in the Philippines, and now working with exceptional children in the US, I saw how education has the power to transform lives. 

Teaching is where I first discovered the joy of shaping minds and hearts, of helping others realize their worth and potential.

But over time, I also came to see that many of the struggles my students and their families face go beyond the classroom. Issues of accessibility, inclusion and fairness are often tied to legal systems and policies. 

That realization is what led me to pursue law—not as a change of career, but as an extension of my mission as an educator. 

I have a license as school administrator or Principal and as a school Superintendent in the NCDPI (North Carolina Department of Public Instruction). 

I also help indigents and organizations in the Philippines by facilitating educational and/or livelihood opportunities for them. I do so because I understand and am compassionate to their plight myself, having struggled financially when I was still in the Philippines. 

Law just gives me another language, another platform, to advocate for justice, equity, and opportunity. Education shaped my heart to serve; law sharpens my voice to fight for what is right.

Ledwina, who secured her doctorate in Education major in Educational Management is due to finish her Masters in Law at Dayton University in Ohio in December this year.

Indeed, Ledwina would be a great asset to all Americans in the US.