By Cynthia De Castro
MAY 9, 2008
Asianjournal.com
BORN TO TEACH
Chito Atienza, New York Teacher of the Year 2008
LOS ANGELES—Sonam, a new immigrant usually go back to the islands every year. I often
in New York from far Tibet, could hardly visit my parents’ hometown in Lumban, Laguna.
speak English. To help her adjust to her new Last year I went to Boracay with family and
environment, she enrolled in a class called ESOL friends—it was fantastic. Shopping is fabulous.
(English to Speakers of Other Languages) offered We have the best shopping malls in the whole
in the community. world-Market, Market, Mall of Asia, Tiendesitas,
Sonam was lonely and uneasy in the concrete SM, National Bookstore!”
jungle of New York—a world apart from her Chito can’t stop gushing about the pleasures
native Lhasa with its snow-peaked mountains of going home to the Philippines. “Foods to die
and rivers. Her ESOL teacher, Chito Atienza, for—pandesal with quesong puti or adobo, fried
noticed Sonam’s sad demeanor in class. A hito and adobo wrapped in banana leaves. Oh,
naturally warm and caring person, Chito sat the cuisine of Manila is something else!”
down beside Sonam and engaged her in small When in New York, Chito loves to hang out
talk to put her at ease. He asked her about her giver and facilitator. at Barnes and Noble bookstore, in Central Park,
family in Lhasa and suddenly, tears filled Sonam’s “I used to live in Sta. Cruz, Manila before I Vinieros in the East Village and Cafe de la Artiste
eyes. The kind teacher affectionately tried to lift came to the US. I went to college at the De La in the West Village.
up Sonam’s spirits and soon, another Chinese Salle University in Manila. I have always been a “Or, sometimes I just sit down on a nice day at
student, Gui Feng, also emphatized with Sonam. teacher, working at different Catholic schools in Washington Square, read a good book and wait
Sonam looked up with hope in her eyes and told Manila and at Adamson University. My interest in for Anna Bayle to go out of her apartment and
her teacher and classmate that she’s okay. language teaching started with the foreign-born admire her legendary cat walk. Lots of places
For his outstanding work teaching English students at Adamson. They’re from Thailand, you can hang out here,” Chito said.
to new immigrants in New York for more than Taiwan, Jordan and some other middle Eastern Atienza admits that he learns a lot from his
20 years, Feliciano Jaime “Chito” Atienza was countries. Then it became more formalized as students too. “My personal hope for peace
honored recently with the 2008 New York Times a skill and a career at the Philippine Refugee and goodwill are played out in my classroom
ESOL Teacher of the Year Award by The New York Processing Center in Bataan, Philippines. The everyday. Roles are often reversed. My students
Times Community Affairs Department and the place became the birthplace of ESL (English as a become my teachers. They teach me that hope
Knowledge Network. Second Language). springs eternal, even on political humanitarian
Executive director for community affairs and “I came to New York for the first time in 1985 issues that even the UN can’t resolve,” he says.
media relations of The New York Times Diane before the EDSA revolution. Since I was already After the ESOL award came fame, as Chito has
McNulty said, “Thanks to their commitment, new trained at the refugee camp, I applied for a new been deluged with interviews from the media.
immigrants are being given the tools they need program under the YMCA, the ELESAIR Project. But he is careful to take it all in stride and give the
to build better lives for themselves and their I’ve been working with the program for more glory to God. He stressed, “I am the ESOL of 2008
families, continuing New York’s legacy as the than 20 years. The great thing about my job is but there is a greater Teacher of all times. And
city where everyone has a shot at the American that I’ve been a witness to the flow of immigrants from Him I draw my most important teaching
dream.” to this wonderful city. Refugees from Africa, and learning methodologies. His name is Jesus.
Atienza was chosen by a selection committee Russia, Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and now For me, this great Teacher is the embodiment of
of distinguished ESOL advocates from The the Latinos of South America and the Chinese. hope, trust, and above all of love and compassion.
New York Public Library, Queens Library, City “One doesn’t feel alienated in a city where I thank Him for being my role model. He said in
University of New York, Brooklyn Public Library, most of the residents are from other countries John 4:34. ‘My food is to do the will of the One
and the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education. Now or another state. Everybody comes to work who sent me and to finish His work.’ And that has
in its second year, the program recognizes ESOL harmoniously with people of different guided me as a teacher.”
instructors who have consistently gone beyond backgrounds, national origin, and other Atienza now looks forward to do something
the call of duty to help students learn English and differences. There is some kind of tolerance that for his homeland. “My future plan is to create
develop the skills needed to create successful permeates in the air that we breathe. And people projects with the Department of Education in the
new lives in the United States. are happy to share the commonalities that they Philippines that would foster teacher exchange
A Filipino immigrant, Atienza worked as an have.” or perhaps student exchange as well to promote
ESOL Teacher with the Queens Library’s Adult An admitted workaholic, Chito regrets having immersion in language and culture. I still have to
Learner–ESOL Program for more than 10 years, forgotten parts of his life in his first five years in sit and write some kind of a proposal about this,”
and with the YMCA International ELESAIR New York. “I just kept on working in the late ’80s he stated.
(English Language and Employment Services for five years without a social life and a religious Chito believes teaching is his purpose for
for Adult Immigrants and Refugees) Project for life. It’s like ‘Chito is dead and he’s now living in being.” I will always be a teacher, an ESOL Teacher.
22 years. NY.’ Then, I told myself ‘hey... take it easy... bond Long after my reign as the NY Times ESOL Teacher
He is a compassionate teacher whose once again with family and friends...’ which I did of the Year, you will still find me in the safe haven
classroom is characterized by a healing and and yes, even with my spiritual life.” of my immigrant dream, doing the will of the
empowering concept of “skinship” and trust. He Bonding with his family means going home Great Teacher who sent me to continue His work
possesses a cheerful “can do” attitude and time- regularly to the Philippines because his whole among the New Americans in NYC,” said New
tested skills as a teacher trainor, mentor, test family lives there. “I am the only one here. I York’s Best ESOL Teacher. (AJ)
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