BYU-Pathway taught Savanna how to step out of her comfort zone, and now she's teaching others how to do the same
Savanna Magtalas, a mother of three young children living in Siniloan, Philippines, wanted to be fully present in her children’s lives. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Savanna and her husband lost their jobs. Concerned about supporting her family while also investing in her personal growth, Savanna took her concerns to Heavenly Father in sincere prayer.
Shortly after, her prayers were answered in a surprising way — a group chat notification from some mission friends encouraging her to become an online instructor for BYU-Pathway Worldwide .
This job would allow her to work from home and stay with her kids, something she hadn’t been able to do with the bachelor’s degree she’d earned 10 years ago. Though it was a step far out of her comfort zone, Savanna applied and was hired. Wanting to better understand the student experience, she also enrolled in BYU-Pathway and EnglishConnect 3 and volunteered as a service missionary with her husband.
Blessings of exiting the comfort zone
While Savanna enjoyed being so involved with BYU-Pathway, she often felt overwhelmed trying to juggle her many responsibilities.
“I had deadlines to meet, and, at the same time, my children needed my attention,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Savanna experienced many blessings throughout her BYU-Pathway journey. From her courses, she learned how to stay organized by creating a schedule and prioritizing important tasks. This helped her to manage her time efficiently so she could handle multiple responsibilities. Savanna also improved her communication skills as an online instructor. Through her leadership, she not only helped many other BYU-Pathway students but also her family.
“I’ve gained confidence, uncovered hidden talents and skills, deepened my relationships with my spouse and children, and recognized the value of education for myself and future generations,” Savanna said. “I continue to improve in every aspect of my life, discovering my full potential with the Lord’s guidance.”
Through it all, Savanna grew spiritually. As she included Heavenly Father in the process and turned to Him frequently in prayer, Savanna learned how to put her trust in Him.
Continuing education and discipleship
With determination and greater confidence in her abilities, Savanna earned her first certificate in
She also continues to take on new opportunities to better serve others, her family, and the Lord.
“I know BYU-Pathway is inspired by the Lord and was an answer to our prayers,” Savanna said. “Although stepping out of our comfort zone was challenging, joining has been a tremendous blessing for me and my family.”