MANILA, Philippines – In a world that often celebrates loud success, the story of Rosel Joy Sison Dalisay rises with quiet power—proof that faith, grit, and purpose can carry a simple dream from a small town in Bulacan to the global stage of education.
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| Photo courtesy: Rosel Joy Sison Dalisay |
Exclusively sharing her journey with The Summit Express, Rosel Dalisay offers a deeply personal look into the struggles, sacrifices, and defining moments behind her success as a Filipino educator abroad.
At 33, Rosel Joy now teaches Special Education in Montana, USA, serving Indigenous learners in the Crow Tribe Reservation with a mission rooted deeply in compassion and inclusion.
Her journey did not begin with certainty, as she admits, “I initially chose Elementary Education because my grandmother, a teacher, encouraged me when I was still unsure of my path.”
What started as guidance soon transformed into purpose, as she discovered that teaching—especially Special Education—was not just a job but her calling.
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| Dalisay presented at CEC convention on building relationships for better behavior and learning support. Photo courtesy: Rosel Joy Sison Dalisay |
Her academic journey quietly supported her rise, from earning her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in Bulacan to completing a Master’s in Early Childhood Education in Manila and later graduating magna cum laude in a Special Education program in the United States.
Like many Filipinos, her path was shaped by struggle, including financial limitations and self-doubt, which she faced with perseverance and quiet determination.
Even during her board exam, her biggest battle was internal, recalling, “My main struggle was my self-esteem and doubts about whether I would pass the exam.”
Yet, anchored in faith and family, she triumphed—passing the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in 2012 with a rating of 82.80, marking the first step toward a life of impact.
Her story reflects the sacrifices of Filipino families, including a moment she treasures when her father drove through the rain just to bring her to her exam—“we arrived wet but determined.”
From the Philippines to Oman, and eventually to the United States, her journey mirrors the resilience of Overseas Filipino Workers striving for a better life, alongside her husband Kevin Dalisay and their daughter Riella Liel Dalisay who remain her constant source of strength.
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| Dalisay received the Council for Exceptional Children Rising Star Award, honoring emerging leaders in special education across the United States. Photo courtesy: Rosel Joy Sison Dalisay |
When the pandemic threatened to halt her dreams, she held on, believing that “what once seemed impossible became a turning point in my life.”
Today, she stands recognized on the international stage, earning the 2026 Council for Exceptional Children Rising Star Award for emerging leadership, the Division on Developmental Disabilities Teacher of the Year for excellence in teaching learners with disabilities, and a Distinguished Service Award honoring her impactful contributions to education.
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| Dalisay received the 2026 Division on Developmental Disabilities Teacher of the Year Award. Photo courtesy: Rosel Joy Sison Dalisay |
Despite these achievements, she remains grounded in purpose, driven by her family and her desire to create opportunities for others.
Her message to dreamers is simple yet powerful: “Your doubts do not define your outcome—your effort and perseverance do.”
In every child she teaches and every life she touches, Rosel Joy proves that true success is not measured by titles, but by the lives we uplift along the way.
— The Summit Express