Armed with determination and goals to strive, promote self-esteem and improve literacy, Association of Filipino Teachers of America (AFTA) Washington D.C Chapter is expected to hold its Alay Aklatan 2012 project this February benefitting indigenous students at Sapang Uwak Elementary School, Porac, Pampanga.

AFTA president Marites Curley, a Kapampangan and alumnae of Holy Angel University, said she wants to help not only children but the community as a whole.

“Since AFTA has many other projects, Alay Aklatan will not be its last project. We are also planning to donate classrooms and provide professional developments in the future,” she said. 

Curley added that her experiences and innate love for children motivated her to start working for projects that benefits children especially those that belong to indigenous groups.

Believing that her first teaching experience at Holy Family Academy, Angeles City helped her become the teacher and leader she is now, Curley became a recipient of the prestigious Veteran of Foreign Wars National Citizenship Educator Award in Maryland, United States.  

Curley is currently teaching at Perry Street Preparatory Public Charter School in Washington D.C. where she teaches fourth graders in an inclusion setting. 

She is a Reading specialist who is certified to teach ESOL, special education, early childhood and elementary education.