As a Teach for the Philippines fellow, CJ Feria taught in an island community where the school regularly flooded during heavy rains. Despite the storms and the flooding, CJ saw that his students were eager to learn and engage in their lessons. Inspired by his teaching experience, CJ later joined the Department of Education’s Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Service, where he helps ensure students and schools across the Philippines are safe and education continues in emergency circumstances. CJ’s role involves many things, from coordinating disaster responses to directly supporting these efforts in the field, but listening to schools, families, and communities share their experiences and stories so he and his team can best respond to their needs is his favorite part of the job.

Watch the video to learn more about CJ’s work providing services and training educators to support students in crisis situations, and learn more about how Teach For All partners and their teachers and alumni are addressing Education in Emergencies across the network.