VSU faculty member named High-Performing Alumnus in US-sponsored TESOL Program

Dr. Joseph E. Padilla, faculty member of the Department of Arts, Languages, and Literature and the University Admissions Officer of Visayas State University (VSU) has been recognized as a High-Performing Alumnus in the Spring 2025 cycle of the U.S. Department of State’s Online Professional English Network (OPEN) program. 

Dr. Padilla earned this distinction after completing a 64-hour intensive Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages  (TESOL) Methodology course offered by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) from April 8 to June 2, 2025. 

Finishing with a perfect score of 100%, he not only met all academic requirements but also stood out among global participants for his strong classroom engagement and leadership in peer learning. 

The recognition carries weight beyond personal achievement. His work in the OPEN program, which connects educators from around the world to best practices in English teaching, is expected to enrich language education at VSU and beyond. 

“I don’t see this as an individual award. This is for my students, my colleagues, and for VSU. I carry with me the responsibility to give back what I learned and to make sure others benefit from it,” Dr. Padilla shared.

The OPEN program is a professional development initiative funded by the U.S. Department of State, designed to equip English language educators with up-to-date methodologies and strategies. 

Participants in the Spring 2025 cohort joined a virtual graduation on June 26, 2025, attended by the U.S. Embassy officials, representatives from the Regional English Language Office (RELO), and OPEN program administrators. 

This recognition opens potential opportunities to engage in future teaching or training activities with the U.S. Embassy and RELO, such as co-facilitating future cohorts or contributing to academic exchange projects. 

[You might also want to read: VSU-DALL partners with RELO to advance English language teaching]

Beyond his professional training, Dr. Padilla brings practical impact to the local learning environment. His role in VSU allows him to cascade new knowledge directly to fellow teachers and future educators, especially in the areas of language instruction and learner-centered strategies. 

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

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