Beyond Survival: Emotional Challenges, Coping Mechanisms, and Cultural Resilience of Filipino Teachers in U.S. Schools

This study delves into the day-to-day experiences of teachers from the Philippines working in U.S. middle schools during the first few months of their employment. The study focuses on emotional difficulties, coping methods, and cultural resilience.  The data were gathered from a publicly accessible Facebook group called "J-1 Filipino Teachers in the United States," where teachers willingly contributed reflective stories. The research used a netnographic qualitative methodology.  To create a collection of posts, a selection was made based on whether each posting was relevant to the teachers' challenges and coping mechanisms. Following a thematic analysis, five significant conclusions were reached which are: Filipino teachers frequently encounter cultural dissonance and high levels of emotional exhaustion; they depend on faith, community, and structured routines to help them cope; their motivation is maintained by family and financial objectives; institutional support is frequently inadequate; and there is a need for systemic improvements in the areas of mentorship, onboarding, and mental health care.  To ensure international teachers are not only well-supported but also retained, these findings highlight the importance of establishing culturally appropriate, emotionally supportive policies.  This study contributes to the ongoing discussion of adjustment processes for migrant teachers and emphasizes the importance of placing cultural identity at the heart of educational policy and practice.