After dedicating 20 years to teaching Filipino students in Antique, educator Rafael Puod has achieved a major career milestone in the United States, becoming a school principal in Arizona after years of financial struggles and perseverance.
Puod, affectionately known as Sir Raffy, now leads Piñon Middle School in Arizona, fulfilling his longtime ambition of becoming a school administrator while building a more financially secure future for his family.
His journey began in Antique, where he spent two decades in the classroom. Despite his commitment to education, Puod struggled to make ends meet on his teaching salary and frequently relied on loans to cover everyday expenses.
In 2020, he decided to pursue opportunities in the United States. He initially worked as a teacher in Alaska and New Mexico before eventually moving to Arizona, where he continued advancing his career.
His breakthrough came after he passed the qualifying examination for school principals, allowing him to move into educational leadership and take charge of a school in the American education system.
“Gaya ng karamihan ng teachers, ang cycle ng loan, iyan ang bumubuhay sa amin noong nasa Pinas pa ako. Tapos dito sa US, kahit paano, maka-save ka kahit kaunti, maka-invest ka sa Pinas. Dito mabibili mo ang gusto mo, hindi kailangan na mag-struggle,” he shared.
Puod said working abroad significantly improved his financial circumstances, giving him opportunities that had been difficult to achieve during his teaching career in the Philippines.
