Maricopa special education teacher honored by Bruce and Gaydos

PHOENIX — In March, KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos’ Pay Tribute to a Teacher award went to Nerwin Balilu, an eighth grade special education teacher in Maricopa.

Balilu, known to his Desert Wind Middle School students as Mr. B, has been teaching for 11 years.

But he has only been behind the desk in the United States since 2019. Before that, he worked at a school in the Philippines. He explained that becoming a teacher was about inspiring the next generation.

Mr. B said he had learning disabilities as a child, which pushed him to pursue a career where he could teach students who also face challenges that disabilities don’t have to hold them back.

“I’ve learned that education is more than just a pathway; it was a lifeline. And that because of these hardships, I developed this sense of desire to make a difference in young lives,” he said.

He said that coming from the Philippines, which does not have designated special education, he also tries to teach kids in the U.S. how lucky they are to have resource opportunities.

“I would always tell them … feel and appreciate what they have right now and that they can take advantage of it in order for them to better themselves and become successful in the future,” he said.

How will Mr. B use Pay Tribute to a Teacher prize?

Each month, the Pay Tribute to a Teacher award celebrates educators like Belilu with a gift of $2,500.

When asked what he would spend the money on if he won, Mr. B said he has been looking to buy new swivel chairs and headphones for his classroom.

When he heard he had won the award, Mr. B couldn’t believe it, adding he couldn’t wait to get new supplies for his students, including a standing desk for kids who have ADHD, like him.

Want to nominate somebody for the Pay Tribute to a Teacher award? Submissions are accepted here.

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