Grateful Reflections and Highlights from My First Year in the U.S.
Global Teaching Partners
Originally from Honduras, Josselyne Almendares shares reflections and highlights from her first year in the United States.
Educator and Coach
Being an educator involves much more work than teaching content. Josselyne Almendares is an educator who exemplifies this belief. She is currently a middle school teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) and is also making history as one of the first Hispanic women to serve as an assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team at Jordan-Matthews High School.
Originally from Honduras, Josselyne came to the United States as a Global Educator, fulfilling her lifelong dream to work in a multicultural setting. Teaching is more than a career for her, it’s a mission. She believes deeply in the power of education to create real change and is committed to inspiring her students academically and personally.
In The Classroom
Josselyne brings passion into her classroom, making language learning engaging and deeply meaningful. Her students explore novels like The Alchemist, The Little Prince, Esperanza Rising, and The Outsiders. Speaking about these choices, Josselyne said “These texts not only enhanced their language acquisition but also encouraged deeper reflection on issues like perseverance, belonging, and empathy making English learning meaningful and relevant.”
On the Court
Josselyne’s impact doesn’t stop in the classroom. During her time in the United States, she has served as assistant basketball coach. Her experience from Honduras seamlessly transferred to coaching, allowing her to motivate and empower young female athletes. Her dedication was evident, balancing long practice hours and travel for games, while still showing up energized for her students every morning. She embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, thanks to the unwavering support of the athletic director, fellow coaches, and the hardworking players. A highlight of the year was taking her team to the Charlotte Spectrum Center, home of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. The experience; standing courtside, interacting with the NBA players as they were warming up, and seeing their school name displayed on the jumbotron, was unforgettable. It reinforced how far this journey had taken her.
What’s Next?
Josselyne isn’t stopping here. She is determined to keep growing, beginning a Master’s degree in TESOL at Greensboro College in the Fall. She will continue coaching, pursuing certifications to refine her skills, and leaving a lasting impact on both academics and athletics. When asked about her hopes Josselyne said, “In the classroom, I want my students to remember me as someone who helped them find their voice, improve their skills, and believe in their dreams. On the court, I want to continue breaking barriers and inspiring young women, especially in underrepresented communities.”
Her story is a testament to passion and the ability to make a difference, one lesson, one game, and one student at a time.