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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
For teachers from the Philippines, getting hired to work in Alaska is only the first step
Julieth Tapado has met with recruiters each time Kodiak Island Borough School District held a screening event in Manila. (Photo by Brian Venua/KMXT) Alaska school districts are ramping up international hiring. For some, that means sending their own recruiters to the Philippines. In Part 2 of this five part audio series, Mabuhay sa Alaska, KMXT's Brian Venua reports that the process can be pretty complicated, and it's only getting more stressful. Julieth Tapado was one of hundreds of teachers waiting for the chance to impress recruiters from Alaska school districts earlier this year. She drove about an hour from Cavite City to the recruiting event in Manila, then waited even longer to get in. She said Alaska was at the top of her list — she hadn't applied anywhere else in the U.S. 'I'm curious and excited to work in Alaska because I believe the tradition and the culture is still not like other states,' Tapado said. She said she's heard the people are more genuine in places like Kodiak. This is Tapado's third attempt to get a job in Alaska. She has friends and family that have been successful in Alaska, and she wants to join them. 'There are a lot of school districts looking, so I might be one of those blessed aspirants!' she said. Serjoe Gutierrez has taught in Kodiak for the last three years. Now he also helps Alaska districts fill vacancies with teachers from his home country. 'This is the start of your dreams,' he told Tapado and 120 of her peers at the start of the event. They were the first of six groups about that size that the recruiters would meet on their 2025 recruiting trip. The administrators asked candidates about classroom management and how they connect with families. They were also looking for skills like English fluency and the ability to respond to questions quickly. Each candidate had less than 10 minutes with recruiters. They could earn more time through a callback, but less than a third were asked for one. That's where the process shifts to the bureaucracy around immigration. 'You need to go through (the) Visa Application Center, get your biometrics, get your pictures done,' Gutierrez said to the crowd of applicants. 'And once you're done, you need to schedule a U.S. Embassy interview.' Teachers also have to pay hundreds of dollars in application fees to the U.S. embassy and work with the Philippine government's Department of Migrant Workers and its licensed agencies. After arriving in the U.S., but before starting in classrooms, new teachers have to file for teacher certification and Social Security numbers. All of the paperwork gets pretty complicated. That's why at least seven Alaska districts, including Kodiak's, work with immigration lawyer Russell Ford. Ford, of FordMurry Law, is based in Maine but has public school districts and private schools across the country as clients. He helped his Alaska clients figure out which visa was most appropriate. 'When we met them, most of their teachers were on J1,' Ford said. J1 visas are supposed to promote international cultural exchange. They allow foreign nationals to live and work in the United States for three years and can be extended up to five years. A former J1 visa holder can reapply after returning to their home country for two years. In the past, many Alaska school districts hired from abroad through third-party recruiting agencies that used J1 visas. Now that administrators are recruiting directly with Ford's help, many have shifted to using H1B visas. Those are designed for high-skill jobs like teachers and allow for longer careers in the U.S. 'If everything is working out, then there's the possibility of sponsorship for permanent residence or a green card,' Ford said. That opens the door for districts and communities to build long-term relationships with international hires. Neil Frank Rivera Ferrer is the Philippines' consulate general in San Francisco and provides immigration services for Philippine nationals across 10 states, including Alaska. He said switching to the H1B visa is the right call. 'We would prefer if those that are coming to Alaska and coming to the U.S. in general, for work purposes, should get a work visa – the H1B visa instead of a J1 visa, which is really more of a temporary, cultural, short term visit to the U.S.,' Ferrer said. But U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services issues a limited number of H1B visas each year. And President Donald Trump's administration has sworn to deport millions of illegal immigrants. Some legal immigrants have been caught in his crosshairs, too. Ford said that's left his clients with more uncertainty about living in the U.S.. 'I'm having conversations that are a little tougher – it's about people's fears,' Ford said. 'It's about – 'Can I go home? Should I go home? Can I travel? Do people want me here?' So I'm doing more counseling, and not from a legal sense, but just having someone to talk to.' Ford said H1B applications have had a few more delays than before, but he's trying to run business as usual. He just makes sure to remind clients to be extra careful to follow the law and avoid attracting negative attention. At least one Filipino migrant in Kodiak was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, in April. Elsewhere, ICE has deported legal Filipino immigrants. But for candidates like Julieth Tapado at the recruiting event in Manila, the work is worth it. This wasn't her year — again — but she's already planning to try again next year. 'I'm still hoping that somehow, in God's time, in God's beautiful time, I could be able to achieve my dream working in Alaska as an English teacher,' Tapado said. This story was originally published by KMXT, as part two of a five part audio series, Mabuhay sa Alaska.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Key depts told to brace for monsoon readiness
Hyderabad: In preparation for the monsoon, VB Kamalasan Reddy, director, Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre, on Monday called upon all departments to collaborate and nominate qualified officers to join TGICCC. He emphasised importance of forming a dedicated joint action team and urged timely use of TGICCC services throughout the monsoon period. At the meeting held at the war room in TGICCC key officials representing the Hyderabad Collectorate, GHMC, Fire Services, HYDRA, TGSPDCL, Medical & Health department, IMD, SDRF, HMWS&SB and the commissionerates of Cyberabad & Rachakonda headed by the DG & Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad were present. The meeting focused on assessing and enhancing the preparedness for the monsoon with special emphasis on flood monitoring and traffic management at 141 identified water-logging hotspots in GHMC limits. An action plan was discussed for power restoration during heavy rainfall, diverting floodwaters to designated nalas, mitigation of seasonal diseases, Identification and necessary action on dilapidated structures, deployment of Aapda Mitra volunteers and NGOs for emergency support, promotion and use of SACHET Mobile Application and other government services to ensure public safety. City Police Commissioner CV Anand appealed to all departments to proactively anticipate challenges and pre-deploy teams at vulnerable water-logging and critical points by teams from GHMC, Traffic Police, HMWS&SB, TGSPDCL, HYDRA. He called for optimum utilisation of TGICCC advanced facilities and communication system for real-time coordination during disaster and emergency situations. Y Nagi Reddy, representing the Fire Services department, emphasised the need for the command control centre to draft a standard operating procedure (SOP) defining the roles and responsibilities of various departments, including Medical & Health, for efficient handling of fire-related incidents during the monsoon. Officers AV Ranganath (HYDRA), Mukunda Rao (Hyderabad collectorate), N Narsimlu, Director (Operations)TGSPDCL, Sahadev Ratnakar, CE(M) GHMC, Dr Gajarao Bhupal, Joint CP, Cyberabad and others attended the meeting. It concluded with a collective commitment by all departments to work in synergy for the safety and well-being of the citizens during the monsoon.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
TNPSC Group IV 2025: Registration begins at tnpsc.gov.in, direct link to apply
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, TNPSC, has released the notification for Group IV services and invited online applications for direct recruitment to the posts in Combined Services Examination -IV. Interested and eligible candidates can apply before May 24 at This recruitment drive aims to fill 3,935 vacancies across a wide range of posts including Village Administrative Officers, Junior Assistants, Typists, Forest Guards, and more. Opening date of application: April 24 Closing date of application: May 24 Correction window: May 29 to May 31 Prelims exam: July 12, 2025 The online application invited is for a total of 3935 vacancies in various Group IV services. The vacancies include 25 different posts such as the Village Administrative Officer (215 vacancies), Junior Assistant (Non-Security, 1621 vacancies), Junior Revenue Inspector (239 vacancies), Typist (1099 vacancies), Steno Typist (grade III), Forest Guard and more. the official website at 2. Look for the "Apply Online" section and choose "Group-IV" for the specific exam. 3. Enter details like email, mobile number for OTR. 4. Use your OTR credentials to fill the application form. 5. Fill the TNPSC Application Form 2025 6. Scan and upload necessary documents. 7. Pay application fee. 8. Review, submit and download application fee for future reference. The TNPSC Group IV application fee for the OTR platform is ₹150 (Valid for 5 years) and the examination fee is ₹100. For further details refer to Annexure II of the Notification. Candidates must go through the official notification, certain posts require technical degrees while others require general education degree. The written examination includes 200 questions from three parts to complete in three hours. Part A consists of 100 questions from Tamil Eligibility cum scoring test, Part B contains 75 questions from general Studies and Part C includes 25 questions from Aptitude and mental Ability. Part A is 150 marks alone, while Part B and Part C are 150 marks combined. The maximum marks of the examination are 300. Parts B and C will be evaluated only if a candidate secures 40 per cent marks in Part A, while total marks in all three sections will be assessed for ranking. Except for part A, the other two parts will be in English and Tamil. For more detailed information, refer to the official notification available on the official website.
Edinburgh Reporter
22-04-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
New bid to build holiday accommodation on farmland outside Penicuik
A new bid to build holiday accommodation on farmland outside Penicuik has been launched a year after councillors rejecting proposals for 'shepherd hut' style pods on the site. The proposals for five holiday 'units' on land between Braidlaw Farmhouse and the A766 is set to go before Midlothian planning committee later this month for a first look. Public consultation events are set to be held in June to give people a chance to find out more about the proposals. Last year the council refused permission for five glamping pods to be built on land at the farm in the style of shepherds huts. At the time, the project was described as creating a horse lovers haven with visitors able to spend time with the animals in the stables or bring their own for a stay. Planners ruled the pods would be too 'conspicuous' from the road and would stick out on the hillside. Now a Pre Application Notice for a new application for holiday units has been lodged with the local authority. In a report to elected members, officers said that while the new proposals were on land designated as countryside the council's own development plan is 'generally supportive' of holiday accommodation, but they warned the design of the units would need to blend with their surroundings. They said: 'While the principle of holiday accommodation is generally accepted, detailed consideration will need to be given to the design matters. In particular, the site's relationship to the surrounding rural area and the impact on the landscape character of the area, as well as the layout, siting, scale, design and materials of the proposed accommodation and any other associated works. 'There must also be an important emphasis placed on the sustainability of the development and its impact on the climate crisis.' Planners also point out there is a high pressure gas pipeline running through the site which will need to be considered. A Pre Application Notice gives councillors the chance to give their views on plans and public views to be gathered before a formal planning application is lodged. The public events will be held in Ladywood Leisure Centre, in Penicuik on June 11 and June 25. By Marie Sharp, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
22-04-2025
- Edinburgh Live
New bid for Midlothian farm land to be turned into holiday site
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A new bid to build holiday accommodation on farmland outside Penicuik has been launched a year after councillors rejecting proposals for 'shepherd hut' style pods on the site. The proposals for five holiday 'units' on land between Braidlaw Farmhouse and the A766 is set to go before Midlothian planning committee later this month for a first look. Public consultation events are set to be held in June to give people a chance to find out more about the proposals. Last year the council refused permission for five glamping pods to be built on land at the farm in the style of shepherds huts. At the time, the project was described as creating a horse lovers haven with visitors able to spend time with the animals in the stables or bring their own for a stay. Planners ruled the pods would be too 'conspicuous' from the road and would stick out on the hillside. Now a Pre Application Notice for a new application for holiday units has been lodged with the local authority. In a report to elected members, officers said that while the new proposals were on land designated as countryside the council's own development plan is 'generally supportive' of holiday accommodation, but they warned the design of the units would need to blend with their surroundings. They said: "While the principle of holiday accommodation is generally accepted, detailed consideration will need to be given to the design matters. In particular, the site's relationship to the surrounding rural area and the impact on the landscape character of the area, as well as the layout, siting, scale, design and materials of the proposed accommodation and any other associated works. "There must also be an important emphasis placed on the sustainability of the development and its impact on the climate crisis." Planners also point out there is a high pressure gas pipeline running through the site which will need to be considered. A Pre Application Notice gives councillors the chance to give their views on plans and public views to be gathered before a formal planning application is lodged. The public events will be held in Ladywood Leisure Centre, in Penicuik on June 11 and June 25.
