Meet The Departing Educator: Ms. Lara Claire Zamora, 1st-Grade Reading Mastery Teacher

This week, our Departing Educator series turns the spotlight on a versatile reading teacher whose J-1 visa chapter is closing in the United States, but whose teaching journey is far from over. After a number of vibrant years at Mission Achievement and Success Charter School, she will embark on a new adventure as a secondary-school teacher in New Zealand before returning to her native Philippines to visit family and friends. Meet Ms. Zamora, in her own words...

MAS: What roles have you held during your time here?

MS. ZAMORA: I began as a 6th-grade Reading Teacher for two years, then served a year as an Istation Interventionist. This year I shifted to 1st-grade Reading Mastery, which has been pure joy.

MAS: You’ve traveled widely in the U.S. Any favorite stops?

MS. ZAMORA: I managed to visit 25 states! Miami tops my city list. The sports, beach, food, music, shopping; it had everything. But the most beautiful state for me is Colorado; every season there feels like a postcard.
MAS: What advice would you give future international teachers in the U.S.?

MS. ZAMORA: Bring patience, resilience, and smart financial planning. The learning curve in culture, classroom norms, and paperwork is real. Build a support system, celebrate small wins, and budget carefully for those first-year expenses.

MAS: What’s next for you professionally?

MS. ZAMORA: In July I’ll start teaching secondary school in New Zealand. My family and I can’t wait for this new chapter, though we’ll fly back to the Philippines in December to spend Christmas at home.

MAS: What are you most looking forward to when you do eventually visit home?

MS. ZAMORA: Time with family, beach parties, and an unlimited supply of Philippine mangoes and fresh fish!
MAS: Any plans to return to the United States down the road?

MS. ZAMORA: Definitely. We’ll visit my husband’s family here, and I still have Alaska at the top of my bucket list.
MAS: Favorite MAS memory?

MS. ZAMORA: Bonding with my first-graders and my colleagues. From the classroom laughs to after-work potlucks and restaurant outings, we built friendships I’ll carry with me.

MAS: What will you miss most?

MS. ZAMORA: In the U.S… the epic road trips with my family and the variety each place offered. No country matches that mix. At MAS… the fun, supportive staff community and the many chances to grow beyond the curriculum.

From Albuquerque and Miami Beach to the mountains of Colorado, Ms. Zamora has wrung every drop from her American journey. We’re grateful for the energy and expertise she poured into our classrooms, and we wish her and her family every success as they trade New Mexico sunsets for New Zealand sunrises. Mā te wā, Ms. Zamora… you’ll always have a home at MAS!