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Future english teacher: IRIS HUANG
Iris Huang was drawn to the Taiwanese Air Force for the steady paychecks and possible pension. At just 21, fresh out of college with a degree in computer science, she passed the physical, then boot camp, and was soon commissioned as an officer.
Fast forward 15 years to the present, and Huang is still going strong as a maintenance officer with TAF. Though she’s given 15 years to her country’s armed forces, Huang looks forward to her retirement where she can pursue another longtime dream. She wants to be a teacher in Taiwan, specifically teaching English in a private school.
Fortunately for her, the latest three-year assignment with TAF placed her in Phoenix, Ariz., specifically at Luke Air Force Base, where she helps with aircraft maintenance. She loves the chance to improve her English – a skill she only learned in the Air Force – but her temporary home also provides her with a chance to chase her teaching dream through Wayland Baptist University’s campus in Phoenix.
Before heading to America, Huang anticipated the chance to complete another master’s degree – she recently earned her MBA in Taiwan – and had all her transcripts translated. She searched out educational opportunities on Luke and ultimately selected Wayland for her Master of Education degree, choosing a specialization in instructional leadership.
“I chose Wayland because they had a master’s degree that will help me become a teacher. But I have really enjoyed it,” Huang said. “The people at Wayland are very nice to me and encouraging, though the study has been difficult for me with all the English. I have to spend a lot of time reading and writing the assignments, but the teachers have been so nice and have taught me many things.”
Huang said the master’s degree program with Wayland works for her in several different ways. First, she was able to choose a specialization that did not require student teaching, an important aspect since her full-time, active duty status does not allow her to take off a full term. She also likes the ability to take her classes on the base, making for little commute, and appreciates the chance to take face-to-face classes and learn better given her slight language barrier.
“They are all very patient with me, though sometimes the language gap makes it difficult and I can’t express very well in English,” Huang said. “But I am learning and they are good to help me. They encourage me a lot as well.”
For now, Huang is satisfied to serve out the rest of her 20-year commitment to the TAF, allowing her to retire with full military pension at 41 and enter her second career as a teacher. Her family is with her on this third stint to America, and she’s glad they have the opportunity to learn English as well and experience American culture. Her husband works at the Luke golf course and their children, ages 4 and 11, attend local schools.
With two degrees already on her wall and the third one in the works, Huang might be satisfied with her educational achievements. But she’s not planning on stopping.
“Once I finish the degree with Wayland, I would like to study Spanish,” Huang said, noting she already speaks four languages. “I like learning the languages and if you can still learn, then go for it.”
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