Fil-Am teacher brings pride to PH with US awards

 

Krishyl Alos Laderas with her family

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

A MATH teacher with roots in the Philippines is chosen as this year’s ‘Teacher Of The Year’ of Anson Middle School at Wadesboro, North Carolina as well as the ‘Outstanding Secondary Math Teacher’ by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Krishyl Alos Laderas, who finds numbers interesting as it makes her think and solve life’s problems feels inspired to continue giving, uplifting and making a difference in the lives of her students. 

 

Laderas, who always carries a smile on her face. said the awards are not only a validation of what she does inside the classroom but also what she instills into her students everyday which are persistence and dedication.  She said the awards is a reminder to her of the responsibility she carries as an educator. 

Laderas, whose language revolves around square roots, quotients, absolute value and coordinates was nominated by her administrator which to her is an honor because it reflects confidence in her work and her impact on students.

It was learned that the Criteria for Outstanding Secondary Math Teacher by NCCTM (North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics) covers such areas as: Strong Mathematics Content Knowledge, Student-Centered Instruction, Building Student Confidence and Curiosity, Professional Growth and Leadership, Innovation in Teaching, Positive Impact on Students. 

Challenging, rewarding

The NCCTM is a professional organization that supports math educators across North Carolina. 

When asked why she loves Math, Laderas explained that Math makes her think. 

She enjoys solving problems, finding patterns and figuring out how things connect.  Math can be challenging but that’s part of what makes it rewarding, Laderas said. 

“I also like that there are different ways to reach the same answer,’ she said and now as a teacher Laderas enjoys helping others understand it too.

She said a number is a tool for thinking—something that helps students make sense of problems, decisions, and everyday life. Teaching students to understand numbers is teaching them to understand the world, Laderas said.

Laderas was born in Sayangan, Atok in Benguet province, Philippines. She finished high school at St.Paul’s Academy of Sayangan Inc. and completed her degree in Secondary Education major in Math at St. Louis University.  

Married to Vic Jomar Laderas with whom she has four children—two boys and two girls—Laderas later pursued Masteral Units in Mathematics at the Benguet State University.

Q and A

Over the years, Laderas said she had grown deeply passionate about helping students build confidence by developing their problem solving skills. She said she wants the students to see Math as something they can understand and succeed in. 

Here’s my interview with Laderas:

Q: Why choose the teaching profession?

A: I chose teaching because I wanted a career that made a lasting, meaningful impact. I’ve always believed that education can change the trajectory of a young person’s life, and I wanted to be part of that transformation. 

Teaching gives me the opportunity not just to explain lessons, but to inspire, mentor, and guide students through challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

Q: Why teach in the US? 

A: As for teaching in the US, beyond the practical and obvious reasons, I was drawn to the opportunities for professional growth, access to strong instructional resources, and the chance to be immersed in a diverse learning environment. 

The U.S. education system encourages innovation, data-driven practices, collaboration and continuous improvement—all of which align with the kind of teacher I strive to be. 

Being here allowed me to expand my instructional strategies, learn new technologies, and experience a broader range of student needs and backgrounds.

Q: Challenges teaching in US?

A: Teaching in the U.S. has been fulfilling, but not without challenges.
Some of the biggest ones include:

Adjusting to cultural and behavioral differences, especially in how students express themselves and their learning needs.

Understanding new curriculum standards, pacing guides and state-level assessments.

Managing diverse academic levels in a single classroom, from students needing significant support to those requiring enrichment.

Navigating instructional technology, digital platforms, and school-wide systems that were new to me when I first arrived.

Balancing high expectations with emotional needs, especially with students who face personal or social challenges outside the classroom.

These experiences pushed me to grow professionally, reflect on my teaching practice, and strengthen my classroom management and differentiation skills.

And Laderas said she  is grateful to everyone who in one way or another helped me reach this far. 

‘My talented instructional coaches Monica Wall and Veronica Smith, Anson County School District especially my Anson Middle School family, headed by Arthur Jackson, and the Baguio City National High School family especially the Mathematics Department, headed by Nino Martinez and Editha Laop, who I worked with for 12 years in the Philippines. Thank you for believing in me and seeing my potential as an educator,’ Laderas said.

We congratulate Laderas for once again bringing honor to the Philippines in the global stage and letting her continue teaching sums, integers and decimals to her students.