ALUMNI FOCUS | Mr. Juan Carlo Donato Antonio is a proud alumnus of the University of Northern Philippines-College of Teacher Education. He was the former Governor of CTE’s Mandated Student Organization. During his term, they were able to clinch the title of the Most Outstanding Mandated Student Organization after eight years of title drought. He also bagged the Silver Medal in the Search for Most Outstanding Student Leaders of the university.

Recently, he has received his teaching license and awarded a Level Three-A Instructional Leader (Secondary Level) with endorsements in Language Arts and TESOL by the New Mexico Public Education Department, New Mexico, United States of America. Prior to his current designation, he worked as an English Language Arts Teacher at the University of Northern Philippines-Department of Arts and Humanities, Laemchabang Municipality High School, “English For All” Project, Provincial Government of Phitsanulok and Naresuan University Secondary Demonstration School, Phitsanulok City, Kingdom of Thailand.

He has finished his Master of Arts in English with High Distinction at the Faculty of Humanities, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok City, Thailand.

He also received numerous awards as a Researcher, as an Educator, as a Keynote Speaker, as a Plenary Speaker, as a Trainer, as a Conference Chair, and as a Judge. Among those awards are, Honorable Mention under the Humanities and Social Sciences Strand, awarded during Thesis Innovation Awards 2020 by the Naresuan University- Graduate School on September 3, 2020 at the Office of the President, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok City, Thailand. Outstanding Asian EFL Teacher (Secondary Level), awarded on the World Interdisciplinary Research Congress on Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (WIRCTESOL2019) on November 16, 2019 at Phra Nakhon Rajabhat University, Thailand. He was as well active in representing the Philippines in the field of Research along with scholars from Thailand’s best universities such as Mahidol University, Thammasat University, Chiang Mai University, Mae Fah Luang University, among others. His significant contributions in Education made him one of the recipients of Father Jose Burgos Award 2020, the most prestigious award given by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, Philippines and many other more.

During his stay in Thailand, he was designated as the Head, Foreign Teachers, Laem Chabang High School, the President, Saint Nicholas Church Foreign Community, and the Head of the Commission on Professional Development-The Filipino Council of Phitsanulok, accredited by the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok.

Mr. Antonio left the Philippines nine years ago. Certainly, it was a test of mental fortitude as he left with the optimism that his sacrifice will bear a greater effect in the future.

He is guided by this quotation “Behind the many upheavals in our lives, do not consider these as difficulties, but opportunities to learn and grow. One who fears failure will never achieve greater heights. Besides, failure is truly life’s greatest teacher. Furnished with the experience accumulated by highs and lows, give back all the glories to Him in prayers. Trust me, He will bless you abundantly.”

Truly, an achiever and pride of the University of Northern Philippines.

Article by: Arpee Arruejo