{"id":405058,"date":"2024-02-01T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=405058"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"Camacho-to-Tinian-PSS-stakeholders-I-m-here-to-listen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/Camacho-to-Tinian-PSS-stakeholders-I-m-here-to-listen\/","title":{"rendered":"Camacho to Tinian PSS stakeholders: I\u2019m here to listen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho recently met and engaged with Tinian Public School System staff and personnel to hear directly from stakeholders on what needs to be done to guide him in accomplishing more.<\/p>\n

The Tinian visit last Jan. 24, which is the second leg of Camacho\u2019s \u201clistening tour,\u201d saw him speak before a crowd of close to 200 public education staff and personnel. His conversation with PSS personnel was aimed toward learning more about everyone\u2019s role, and how the school district leadership can provide continuous support and services.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came here with a clear expectation: to hear from you,\u201d Camacho told Tinian Elementary School, Tinian Middle School, and Tinian High School staff and personnel at a gathering at the THS cafeteria.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not a miracle worker. But I am here to listen to you and make things work for you, for all of us in the Public School System. I will do my very best. I am reachable and accessible,\u201d he added. \u201cOn a personal level, I am with you. This is not the last of my visit but part of an ongoing engagement that will make sure you are all part of the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tinian\u2019s elected Board of Education member and former chairperson, Antonio L. Borja, welcomed Camacho upon his arrival on Tinian. This was Camacho\u2019s first time to visit Tinian since being named Education commissioner on Jan. 8.<\/p>\n

Camacho\u2019s \u201clistening tour\u201d aims to engage with the close to 1,500 teaching and non-teaching personnel of PSS, as part of his long-term goal of a student-centered and educator-driven school district. Meeting with Rota PSS stakeholders was his first stop earlier this month.<\/p>\n

At the start of his term, Camacho pledged to spend his \u201cfirst 100 days\u201d listening and talking with all public education stakeholders.<\/p>\n

He believes PSS can achieve more because it is the \u201chome of professionals\u201d that advocates for every child\u2019s success. \u201cI will not spend most of the time on Capital Hill and pretend to know everything because I am a firm believer that we are all professionals who listen to each other in getting things done for our children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Like you\u2019<\/p>\n

Jan. 24 was a learning day for Camacho when he toured and spoke with Tinian students.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s good about Tinian Middle School?\u201d he asked a group of students. \u201cEverything,\u201d they chorused.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, it\u2019s the leadership class that we have here in middle school,\u201d said another student. He was referring to the Middle School Leadership Corps that was implemented by PSS in all middle\/junior high schools on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian. The program prepares these students as they transition to high school\u2019s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.<\/p>\n

Another student chimed in, \u201cWe need more fun [activities].\u201d<\/p>\n

Camacho agrees with the students. \u201cI\u2019m glad to be able to meet with all of you. This is what we are here for\u2014to hear from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

In visiting various classrooms, he shared with Tinian public school students how public education played a crucial part in his childhood.<\/p>\n

\u201cI also believe in our public education system. I was once a student like you,\u201d he said, sharing how he finished his elementary years at the then-San Roque Elementary School, which was later renamed after his grandfather, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School.<\/p>\n

Camacho went to attend Hopwood Middle School and finished high school at Marianas High School.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy grandfather used to drop me at school, and I am happy that my former school was renamed after him,\u201d Camacho said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you can see, you can also be leaders. What I am today is because of the good education I received [in the CNMI] and because of that, I am humbled to serve as your commissioner of Education.\u201d (PR)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, center, is flanked by personnel and staff of Tinian Elementary School, Tinian Middle School, and Tinian High School, led by principals Lou Connie Manglona and Liz Perzinski.<\/p>\n

-PSS
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