Teacher Spotlight: Dhee-Ghee Palmer – Creating Memories Abroad: Ms. Palmer’s Summer in the Philippines 

At Cascade Virtual Academy, we’re proud to highlight the vibrant experiences and passions our teachers bring into the classroom. This summer, Dhee-Ghee Palmer, our school’s Art, Design & Technology teacher, and the equity leader at Cascade Virtual Academy, reconnected with her pinoy and instik (Filipino and Chinese) heritage in a deeply meaningful way. Dhee-Ghee spent most of her summer break in the Philippines, embracing culture, joy, and family. 

For Ms. Palmer, this trip was more than a vacation – it was a monumental milestone in reclaiming family memories. Reuniting with her parents, siblings, nieces, nephew, and sister-in-law was a powerful reminder of where her values and sense of resilience came from. “This is the first place I ever learned about love, culture, and strength,” she said. 

Ms. Palmer shared this experience with her 15-year-old son, giving him the chance to explore the Philippines through language, food, culture, and fun.  

From provincial adventures to carabao (water buffalo) and kalesa (horse carriage) rides, she made every moment an opportunity to connect with their heritage to build lifelong memories. 

As an artist and educator, Ms. Palmer’s passion for creativity is central to her travel itinerary. Visits to art museums not only refuel her spirit but also inspire the lessons she brings to Cascade Virtual Academy classrooms each school year. “Art helps me see the world, and my teaching, through a refreshed lens,” she added. 

From eco villages with the kids to waterfall mud hikes and stilt hostel cottages with her father, Ms. Palmer embraced joy in every form this summer. Whether boating on tranquil waters or savoring fresh tropical fruit, she made space to honor her father’s love of nature and the simple pleasures that connect generations. 

This trip also included a long-awaited complete family photo, the first since 1990. “Capturing who we are now is a way of honoring how far we’ve come,” she reflects. “No matter how far I travel or how fulfilling my work in the U.S. may be, a part of me remains in the Philippines,” Ms. Palmer added. “Love hard, give often, and don’t wait to celebrate those closest to you. Because family is forever.”