Success Story- Naome Caballero Cardinal
Meet Naome! Naome is from the Philippines and graduated from our TEFL certification course on March 5, 2021. She is currently a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at a school in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
Naome initially decided to travel because she knew she wanted to make a difference in people’s lives by sharing knowledge. There was only one question: Where to begin?
While on her search, she came across our website and immediately saw our program as a wonderful opportunity to pursue her dream. She began familiarizing herself with our mission and vision here at Costa Rica TEFL and before long, Naome chose us to certify her in teaching English as a foreign language to non-English speakers all over the world.
Naome agrees that the location is definitely a plus- Who wouldn’t want to live and work a walk away from the beach!?
“What are some of the most important things you’ve learned while at Costa Rica TEFL?”
After completing the TEFL certification course, some things Naome’s learned include learning to adapt to cultural differences, to radiate confidence in all that you do- especially in the classroom, and being “open-minded and innovative to the demands or needs of the teaching and learning process in an EFL classroom.”
Adapting to cultural differences extends to much more than learning about Costa Rican culture, although that is a big part of it. As a teacher/trainee at Costa Rica TEFL, we come in contact with people from everywhere! Naome says that one of the best experiences she’s had at Costa Rica TEFL was meeting all different kinds of people from all walks of life and all different parts of the world.
“What makes a great teacher?”
“I believe that what makes a great teacher aside from the knowledge and skills which are your important tools will be the heart to teach and to make a difference in the lives of your students. Teaching would demand more than your intellectual competence. It would demand compassion, patience, and dedication. Having the heart to teach and God’s grace will be your driving force, the lamp on your feet, and the light to your path to keep you on the right track.”
Naome, we appreciate your wisdom and dedication to your students. With these words, we have no doubt that you as a teacher and human being make a lasting impact on the minds and hearts of your students.
To students thinking about becoming TEFL certified, Naome says to focus their goals on what they want to achieve after getting certified. She says that in choosing to be certified, you are “choosing to make a difference in the lives of people who desired to learn the English language”. Regarding Costa Rica TEFL, she says “it’s guaranteed that they [teacher trainees] are in good hands.”
We here at Costa Rica TEFL want to encourage you to take that leap of faith and choose to make a difference in other people’s lives!