Mary is a secondary school teacher committed to nurturing the next generation of young minds and empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to grasp the complexities of a diverse and ever-changing society. Through the Fellowship, she intends to connect with educators and develop initiatives that support local youths.

Raised by Filipino and Chinese parents, Mary’s diverse background opened a gateway for her to fully immerse in a more open-minded and socially aware environment. Hong Kong holds a special place to her as she is always imbued with a deep sense of commitment to fostering an inclusive and harmonious society that is built on the principles of equity, respect, and understanding.

Currently, Mary works as a secondary school teacher who sees her students as potential leaders of future change. As an educator in Hong Kong, she is aware that despite many schools’ pronounced emphasis on the importance of whole-person development, most of them only focus on academic achievements. Through teaching and engaging with unprivileged students, she sees students who are often left behind because of the many difficulties posed by their backgrounds.

Mary is a supporter of values education with the aim to advance equality in the classes she teaches because she believes everyone deserves the opportunity to learn. While addressing social issues and critical thinking skills in the classroom, she hopes to cultivate her students’ personal development and sense of self-worth, helping them to reach their fullest potential while incorporating concepts such as allyship and active bystander intervention in her teaching. Her previous work exposure to government policy also helped her develop a deep understanding of public affairs.

Through the Fellowship, Mary wants to seek further personal development and aspires to contribute to the community, particularly in the field of education. She is driven to embark on this journey of self-discovery by gaining insights through the workshops and the opportunities to collaborate with other Fellows on future projects. Outside of work, Mary enjoys bowling, drawing and watching movies.