Five years ago, while most of the world stood still, they said yes.
In the early days of a global pandemic—when uncertainty was high and the future unclear—a group of courageous educators made the bold decision to leave behind their homes, families, and all that was familiar to teach in American classrooms. They didn’t arrive with certainty. They arrived with purpose.
And that purpose shaped everything that followed.
On Saturday, May 17, we gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina, to celebrate the Ambassador Teacher Class of 2025—not just for completing a five-year journey, but for the resilience, leadership, and cultural bridges they built along the way.
While recognizing this graduating class, Participate Learning’s CEO David Young shared, “Your presence and determination reminded us of our mission and helped guide us through adversity—emerging stronger, more connected, and more inspired than ever before.”
This wasn’t just a graduation. It was a moment to honor the incredible impact these teachers have had—on their students, their schools, and on all of us.
A Bold Leap, and an Unforgettable Journey
Leaving behind loved ones, careers, and the comforts of home, the Class of 2025 arrived in the United States during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. With masks, virtual learning, and social distancing as the backdrop of their first school year, they stepped into unfamiliar environments with courage, flexibility, and deep commitment.
And over the next five years, they did so much more than teach.
They became trusted mentors, leaders in their schools, and cherished members of their communities. They embraced American culture and values while sharing their own cultures proudly. They helped students see the world not just as it is, but as it could be—with curiosity, compassion, and connection.
They traveled across states, explored the natural and cultural beauty of the U.S., and developed a deep love for the country they called home for half a decade. From national parks to local diners, from school board meetings to soccer matches, they truly lived the American experience—while enriching it with the perspectives and traditions they brought with them.
International Teachers as Cultural Ambassadors—In Every Sense
These educators were not only teachers—they were cultural ambassadors in the truest sense of the word. In their classrooms, they wove stories, traditions, languages, and perspectives into their daily lessons. They gave their students more than knowledge—they gave them a window into the world.
And just as they helped their American students and families better understand the cultures they brought with them, they also came to appreciate and grow fond of the many traditions, values, and ways of life that make this country unique. In doing so, they built lasting connections—shaping the perspectives of those around them, and deepening their own in return. Our Ambassador Teachers changed, and so did the people around them.
And now, as they prepare to return home, they bring with them not only professional growth and academic knowledge, but a new understanding of the people, culture, and values of the United States. They return not just as teachers from their home countries, but as bridges between nations—representing the best of what they’ve learned and experienced here.
As Anayansi Young, 2022 Participate Learning Teacher of the Year and Class of 2025 speaker, reminded us all:
You are not just educators, but cultural ambassadors. The impact of your work extends beyond the classroom, contributing to greater international understanding and cooperation… Keep striving, keep connecting, and keep leading with passion.
A Lasting Legacy: How International Teachers Prepare U.S. Students for a Globally Connected Future
The accomplishments of this class are many—and they are meaningful.
Many members of the Class of 2025 pursued and completed graduate degrees while teaching full-time, earning master’s degrees that will continue to shape their careers and broaden their impact. Others were named Teachers of the Year in their schools and districts, honored for their instructional excellence, creativity, and the steady leadership they brought to their school communities.
They led student clubs, mentored colleagues, organized school-wide initiatives, and became an essential part of the school culture. They didn’t just meet expectations—they redefined what was possible.
Equally important, they helped prepare students for the future. Ambassador Teachers play a powerful role in ensuring that students are ready not only for academic success, but for life and work in an increasingly interconnected world. They equip students with the human skills essential for any career: the ability to listen with empathy, to adapt to new situations, to work across cultural lines, and to express ideas clearly and respectfully.
Because Ambassador Teachers are themselves living examples of what it means to navigate a new culture, they model these skills every day. Their presence in the classroom shows students what it looks like to be open-minded, flexible, and curious. Students don’t just learn about global perspectives—they see them in action. They watch their teachers solve problems, build relationships, and lead in real time—across cultural, linguistic, and interpersonal differences.
The Ambassador Teachers’ students didn’t just master subject matter. They learned how to think globally, communicate with clarity and care, and grow into individuals who can thrive in collaborative environments and fast-changing workplaces. Ambassador Teachers helped shape not only more informed students—but more capable, confident, and future-ready citizens.
Ambassador Teacher Graduation 2025: Honoring Five Years of Impact
The celebration in Raleigh was filled with joy, gratitude, and heartfelt moments. Teachers from 15 different countries were recognized, each receiving their Ambassador Teacher diploma—an acknowledgment not just of time spent, but of impact made.
There were flags, cheers, tears, and laughter. Colleagues, friends, and members of the Participate Learning team watched with pride as each educator walked across the stage, holding five years’ worth of memories, growth, and stories in their hearts.
And we were reminded, once again, just how much this program—and these teachers—mean to us.
In the words of David Young:
Congratulations, Ambassador Teacher Class of 2025. The world is a better place because of you.
The Lifelong Impact of the Participate Learning Ambassador Teacher Program
At Participate Learning, we often say: Once an Ambassador Teacher, always an Ambassador Teacher.
It’s more than a phrase—it’s a reflection of the deep, lifelong connection that grows between our teachers and our community. The impact of these five years doesn’t end with a flight home. It endures. It lives in the friendships formed, the students inspired, the growth each teacher experienced, and the stories that continue to be told long after their final day in a U.S. classroom.
Our alumni carry the lessons, relationships, and memories from their time here into every aspect of their lives—into new classrooms, new leadership roles, and the communities they return to. And even as they move forward, we remain connected. We continue to walk alongside them, offering opportunities to grow, reconnect, and lead within our global network of passionate, purpose-driven educators.
A Heartfelt “Thank You” to the Ambassador Teacher Class of 2025
To the Ambassador Teacher Class of 2025: Thank you.
Thank you for stepping into the unknown. Thank you for sharing your stories, your songs, your food, your language, and your traditions. Thank you for making all students feel seen and celebrated. Thank you for believing in your mission—even when things were hard.
Thank you for showing what it looks like to lead with love, to teach with heart, and to live with purpose.
You have changed countless lives during your time here—and we know you will continue to change lives for many years to come. You leave behind stronger schools, more connected communities, and a generation of students who see the world differently because of you.
We are forever grateful.
Once an Ambassador Teacher, always an Ambassador Teacher. And you will always be part of the Participate Learning family.
Congratulations, Class of 2025. We are so proud of you.
