From Culture Shock to Teacher of the Year | International Teacher in the U.S.

What is it really like to start over as an international teacher in the United States? Meet Nad Santos, a fifth-grade teacher at Palm Lane in Phoenix, Arizona, originally from Brazil. After teaching at the same school in Brazil for 16 years, Nad came to the U.S. looking for a new challenge. What she found was a completely different school system, a new culture, time away from her husband and three children, and the experience of rebuilding her life and career in a new country. In this international teacher story, Nad shares the reality of culture shock, adapting to the U.S. education system, learning new teaching strategies, building relationships with colleagues, maintaining her Brazilian culture at home, and finding a community that made her feel welcome. Her journey eventually led to an incredible milestone: being named Teacher of the Year. Her principal at Palm Lane describes Nad as one of the hardest-working teachers on campus and shares how she builds strong relationships with students, brings her international experiences into the classroom, and has become part of the school community. Nad’s story shows what cultural exchange in education can look like beyond borders: educators sharing their culture, learning from a new community, growing professionally, and creating meaningful connections with students. As Nad says: “Be brave. Come. Do your best.” And perhaps her principal says it best: “Ms. Santos is our community now.” 🌎 Interested in becoming an international teacher in the U.S.? Explore the International Alliance Group teacher journey and learn about eligibility, requirements, and the cultural exchange experience: 👉 https://iagusa.org/teachers/ About International Alliance Group International Alliance Group connects international educators and U.S. school communities through cultural exchange, supporting teachers throughout their journey of teaching and living in the United States. Cultural Exchange with The Human Touch. #InternationalTeacher #TeachInUSA #CulturalExchange #j1visa #BridgeUSA #TeacherOfTheYear #InternationalEducation #TeachingInUSA #ArizonaTeachers #BrazilianTeacher #TeacherStories #IAGUSA