Humans of Blair: From the Philippines to Maryland

Maureen Pascual

Photo: Maureen Pascual, an Advanced Placement Calculus teacher at Blair.

Maureen Pascual, an Advanced Placement Calculus teacher at Blair. Photo courtesy of Thea Womack.

“I see my children in my students, and just as I want the world to love and accept my children, I strive to provide the same experience to others."

Though new to Blair, Advanced Placement Calculus teacher Maureen Pascual is no stranger to teaching. She brings a wealth of professional and personal experiences that distinguish her both as an educator and as an individual. Before moving to the United States in 2015, she spent many years teaching in the Philippines. The differences in expectations between the two countries were striking, both in the classroom and in cultural norms. From navigating students' shorter attention spans to modifying her instructional methods, Pascual had to learn to bridge this gap. “It was like a 180-degree shift,” she explains. “I had to adapt my teaching methods and find new ways to earn my students' trust.”

She credits her eagerness to adapt to her time raising three children. The experience gave her a deep understanding of the diversity of her pupils. "Raising three very different children has helped me understand the unique needs of every student," she explains.

Pascual’s consideration for each individual student was crucial when she took a teaching position at a juvenile detention center where she worked with teens and young adults awaiting trial. Entering this unfamiliar environment, she felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation. Choosing to take a supportive role initially, Pascual focused on listening to her students and meeting them where they were. “I wasn’t there to command them or tell them what to do,” she says. “I just had to listen.” Her approach worked; she was able to connect and bond with her students and get them to stay engaged. “One student opened up emotionally, sharing that they never had a mother figure in their life," she recalls. “This experience was especially rewarding because I do see my children in my students.”

At Blair, Pascual remains committed to learning and growth, both for herself and her students. Having recently welcomed her first grandchild, Pascual is reminded that learning in life never truly ends. “Every day is just about enjoying the journey and adapting,” she says.