A Filipino educator in Arizona has been named Teacher of the Year for Legacy Traditional Schools, a recognition given to a single educator selected from all 23 campuses of the organization statewide.
John Saavedra, who teaches English and writing at the secondary level at Legacy Glendale School, was initially honored as Teacher of the Year for his campus during the network’s annual awards banquet in Phoenix on May 6. He was later announced as the statewide recipient that same evening — an outcome he said he did not anticipate.
“It never crossed my mind that I would even be considered,” Saavedra shared with TGFM. “I was completely shocked and overwhelmed.”
Saavedra believes he is the only Filipino teacher at his school and possibly the only one across the Legacy organization statewide. He had brought a Philippine flag to the event intending only to mark his campus-level recognition. When his name was called for the statewide award, the moment took on a different meaning. “I felt an overwhelming sense of pride — not just for myself, but for the Filipino community I represent,” he said.
After the announcement, he called his closest friends. He was in tears. “I have never been the type of teacher who focuses on awards,” he said. “My greatest reward has always been seeing my students grow academically, emotionally, and personally.”
He dedicated the award to his students, who had not yet been informed of the news at the time. “This award is not just a plaque or a title. It is a reminder that when you know your purpose and genuinely care about the lives of your students, the impact becomes greater than recognition itself,” he said.
In the classroom, Saavedra said the value he most consistently tries to instill is self-belief. “I always remind my students to believe in themselves no matter what challenges they face,” he said. “Setbacks do not define who they are.”
To young Filipinos considering a teaching career abroad, he offered a straightforward message: “Embrace your culture, stay resilient, and never underestimate the impact you can make in the lives of others. Students may not remember every lesson or grade you give them, but they will remember how you made them feel.”
Saavedra has been teaching for nearly two decades, beginning his career in Guam before relocating to Arizona. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Capella University.
