Irenea Conato Apao, a Filipina teacher who met her untimely death at age 41. Irene, as called by friends, hailed from Basak, Cebu City Philippines; She was married (but separated) and had two children : daughter Ivy (17 yrs old) and son Paulo (10 yrs.old). The two children have been under the care of Irene's older sister Tita Conato in Cebu City since Irene left the Philippines. Irene finished her Master's Degree in Education at De La Salle University in Manila under the Philippine Government's Scholarship Program and had been teaching in the Philippines for nine (9) years prior to her U.S. stint. Representing Region 7, she was one of the very prestigious Top Ten Selected Educators' Awardee (from among the educators all over the Philippines) conferred by the Philippine Department of Education.
Irene arrived in the U.S. on 26 August 2005 and started teaching Physics and Chemistry for 11th and 12th graders of the Riverbend High School in Spotsylvania, Virginia. She later transferred to Baltimore, Maryland in 2006 and taught Math and Physics to the 9th to 12th graders at the Baltimore City Talented Development School. Among her many hobby talents was singing which made her one of the avid participants of the Filipino Choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore City.
She was an active member of the Filipino-American Association of Stafford, Virginia (FASSV) and the Mabuhay Inc., and a staunch/ dependable volunteer of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC). She had participated in various community activities such as Migrant Heritage Commission's (MHC) People's Ball, Asian Festival, other MHC programs and supported festivities, FAASV projects and Mabuhay Inc's events.
On the side, she engaged in a boutique business modeling and marketing trendy and classic line of clothing and accessories. She had been known to be a gregarious, jovial and multi-talented person. Considering her great passion for her teaching profession, she maintained excellent quality of her academic craft, exuded much warmth and charm that won the respect and love of her students and friends. Irene had no immediate family in the U.S. and had lived independently until her demise.
The Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC), a metro Washington D.C. based organization that addresses the needs of Filipino migrants in the U.S., spearheaded a campaign to help in repatriating Irene's remains to the Philippines. Through the concerted efforts of MHC, Mabuhay, Inc, the Filipino Teachers' Groups in Spotsylvania (Virginia), in Baltimore (Maryland) and in New Jersey/ New York, Mabuhay Inc., Fil-Am Ass'n of Stafford, Virginia (FAASV), Sanbayan Inc., Katipunan/ Kaycettes, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C., Rendon-Hale Funeral Home, APODCCA, Baltimore County School Board, FALC, other Fil-Am groups and businesses, Irene was provided appropriate necrological and final rites before being shipped back to the Philippines.
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Real World English in Classrooms - Philippinesby sleigh6423,918 views
RIP, I'm an ex-teacher. Quit the job. The conditions are unbearable. The children threaten you, and curse you out and sometimes hit you. People expect teachers to be saints. Condolences to her family and fellow teachers.
orilocs 1 year ago
My mom went to her Funeral.
Part of FAASV
VDpunkdarlings 2 years ago
I am so sorry for her.
stephendorkk 3 years ago
I am a Filipino seeking help to all Filipino in USA, to support my "You Tube Video" Gaylord National Convention Center" as I am denied employment due to my National Origin as a Filipno. I alone in America searching for greener pasture in life, I have a one daughter 7 years old in the Philippines. I am Terminated and Denied employment because I am a Filipino. Please help me support my "You Tube Video. Thank you all for allowing me to connect to all Filipino.
krystalphilipp 3 years ago
I would shoot myself to if I had to teach in a Baltimore high school. Its bad enough I had to attend those schools growing up.
vicekitty 3 years ago