Some careers measure success in titles or salaries. In teaching, it’s measured in moments most people never see: a child who finally cracks a difficult problem, a quiet student who finds the nerve to raise a hand. Maria Agnes Sequito-Corbes has built her life around those moments, carrying them from a Montessori classroom in Bataan to an elementary school in the Arizona desert.
At 31, she now teaches third grade at Ochoa Elementary School in the Tucson Unified School District, where she has spent the last three years. But the classroom is only part of her remit. She also serves as an AVID Coordinator, Science Advocate, and District Teacher Exemplar—roles that put her in the position of shaping not just how her own students learn, but how her colleagues teach. “These roles allow me to collaborate with fellow educators, support high-quality instruction, and promote equitable learning opportunities for all students,” she says.
It is a long way from where she started, and the distance is measured in more than miles.
The road out of the comfort zone
Maria Agnes earned her Bachelor of Elementary Education in the Philippines and later pursued graduate studies in Administration and Supervision. Her teaching career began in 2015, on the recommendation of her university, at a Montessori school in Bataan, where she taught for two years before moving into public education under the Department of Education for six.
She was good at it, and she found it fulfilling. But fulfillment, she came to realize, was not the same as growth. “While I found great fulfillment in teaching in my home country, I aspired to broaden my professional experience and explore education on a global scale,” she says. The decision to leave was the kind many Overseas Filipino Workers recognize—equal parts ambition and sacrifice. “I wanted to prove to myself that I could thrive in a new environment while continuing to make a positive impact on students’ lives.”
Working abroad, she says, has sharpened her in ways she didn’t anticipate. “Working abroad has strengthened my resilience, broadened my perspective, and helped me become a stronger educator and leader.” The leadership opportunities, the exposure to different instructional approaches, the access to professional development—all of it added up. So did something quieter: independence. “Personally, I have become more independent, adaptable, and resilient.”
What the leave request revealed
The narrative of the determined teacher chasing opportunity abroad is a familiar one, and it is true. But it leaves out the part that is harder to tell.
Late in her six years with the Department of Education, a new administrator arrived, and the climate of Maria Agnes’ working life shifted. “With a new school administrator, my work was constantly questioned, which created a stressful and discouraging environment.” Then her father became critically ill. For the first time in her career, she asked for a leave of absence—and despite having the credits to cover it, the request was denied.
The detail lands heavily because of what it forced her to weigh. “I was torn between my responsibilities at work and my desire to be with my family during one of the most important and painful moments of our lives.” Her father passed away. “It made me realize that while I truly love teaching, the environment I was in was no longer healthy for me emotionally and personally.”
That reckoning reframes everything that came after. The move abroad was not only a pursuit of opportunity; it was also a departure from a place that had stopped making room for her as a person. Seen that way, the courage it required reads differently.
The new country brought its own difficulties. “Leaving behind my family, friends, and everything familiar was incredibly difficult. I struggled with homesickness, cultural adjustments, and the pressure of adapting to a new educational system while proving myself professionally.” There were stretches of doubt. “There were times when I felt overwhelmed and questioned my ability to succeed so far from home.” What carried her through was a combination of faith, persistence, and the people who refused to let her give up on herself. “My family has always been my greatest source of inspiration. Their sacrifices continue to motivate me to move forward, even in the face of adversity.”
Why the small moments still matter most
For all the recognition Maria Agnes has earned in Arizona—being named one of the Top 20 Teachers of Southern Arizona, and a Tucson Unified School District Spotlight Teacher—she is clear about where the real reward lies. “While these honors are deeply meaningful, my greatest achievement continues to be the growth and success of my students.”
She chose this work for reasons that have not changed since her first day in a classroom. “I chose this profession because I genuinely love working with children and believe that education has the power to transform lives.” The most satisfying part, she says, is watching a student arrive somewhere they didn’t think they could reach. “Whether it is a child mastering a difficult skill, gaining confidence, or realizing their potential, those moments remind me why I chose this profession.”
That conviction extends past her own classroom. She volunteers through Junior Achievement, helping students build financial literacy and career awareness, and stays active in her school’s Optimist Club International. She mentors student teachers from the University of Arizona—paying forward the kind of guidance that once set her on this path.
Her ambitions now point toward something larger than any single classroom. “I aspire to pursue greater leadership roles where I can influence positive change, promote educational equity, and help develop future teacher leaders.” Whether her future lies in the United States or back in the Philippines, the mission stays the same. “I am passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to quality education and the support they need to succeed.”
For the kababayans navigating their own difficult chapters abroad, she offers something earned rather than borrowed. “There will be challenges, setbacks, and moments when you miss home, but do not lose sight of your goals.” Stay grounded in your values, she says, and let the rest follow. “Your character, integrity, and resilience will carry you through difficult times and open doors to greater opportunities.”
It is advice shaped by experience—by a denied leave request, a grief carried across an ocean, and the slow discovery that the right environment can make a person whole again. Maria Agnes measures her own success the same way she hopes others will. “Success is not measured only by what you achieve for yourself but also by the lives you positively impact along the way.”
