Through the Looking-Glass: Teacher Fianne

It feels great to know you have done something that makes your parents proud. For teacher Fianne, making your parents proud is more than just walking down the path they have cultivated for you to navigate easily; it’s more about blazing a trail to your own destination - the opportunity to go through the looking-glass, one that she herself took with 51Talk.

Teacher Fianne is an only daughter. She was her “papa’s princess.” She started her professional journey as a hospital nurse. Her parents were hopeful that she would eventually practice her profession abroad until she gave birth to her first child. “I wanted to be with my son 24/7 the very moment I laid eyes on him.” As a first-time mother, there was no other option for her but to dedicate her time to taking care of her child. She quit her job in the hospital. Unfortunately, this didn’t sit well with her parents. “They wanted me to go back to my hospital job a few months after I gave birth. The pressure was intense because I did not want to disappoint my parents.” Then, a friend invited her to join 51Talk and teach English online. Fianne was eager to know more about an opportunity that would prove to be the key to a door that led to something new. “The rest was history; blissful history no less.”

“It was August 2014 when I started to teach with 51Talk. Since then, I [have] never left.” Six years into her teaching journey, teacher Fianne is still in awe of how teaching with the brand helped her find her way. “For [the] six awesome years that I have been with 51Talk, my family has grown. I am now married with two kids. I am very grateful for the chance to earn while taking care of them. That is the most important thing for me.” Teaching at home allowed her to explore life’s possibilities. She was not only able to provide for her family but also invest in their future. “Now, I have a small business - I sell food online. I still teach while managing it.”

Teaching with 51Talk enabled her to reach new heights she never knew she could. Twenty-sixteen was her year. “I became a home-based mentor and trainer, and a kids' group class teacher.” Teacher Fianne also prides herself as the recipient of the “model teacher” award in 51Talk’s annual grand teacher’s gathering.

“51Talk has helped me become a better person. I learned to be more patient, understanding, and compassionate.” With every lesson she conducts and training session she completes, Fianne has grown to be “very patient with kids, jolly, and loving.” Her “enormous zest for teaching and touching the lives of the people” around her motivate her to be a better teacher to her students and a better mother to her children. “I want them to grow up in a positive environment. That's what 51Talk is all about.”

“I know my parents are very proud of me.” Despite daring to go about her life her own way, teacher Fianne is happy to have finally made her parents proud. “My mom also became a 51Talk teacher!” It is in teaching at home that teacher Fianne and her parents now create more memorable moments together.

“Dare to learn, dare to be trained, accept the challenge, and be humble and patient while in the process of learning the ropes.” Teacher Fianne hopes aspiring 51Talk teachers will have the same courage to go through a similar journey through the looking-glass, where a bright future awaits on the other side.