The arrival of six hundred American school teachers, known as Thomasites, marked a turning point in the educational landscape of the Philippines. The Thomasites, who traveled aboard the USAT Thomas, were part of a broader initiative by the United States government to reform and improve the educational system in the Philippines after the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. The U.S. recognized the need for an educated populace to ensure effective governance and promote American values under colonial rule. These teachers were not only educators but also ambassadors of American culture, hoping to instill democratic ideals and a sense of citizenship among Filipinos.

The Thomasites faced numerous challenges upon their arrival, including language barriers, cultural differences, and the need to adapt teaching methods suitable for their new environment. Despite these obstacles, they were determined to set up a public school system by training Filipino teachers and eventually handing over the educational system to local authorities. The teachers were instrumental in introducing English as the medium of instruction and implementing a curriculum that emphasized science, math, and literature.

The legacy of the Thomasites extended beyond their teaching roles. Their influence shaped the Philippines' educational policies and established foundational practices that continue to impact the Filipino education system. Many of the original Thomasites later returned to the United States, but their impact was deeply felt in the islands, contributing to a gradual modernization of education and a shift towards greater access to schooling for the Filipino people.