By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE newly elected president of the Association of Commonwealth Teachers says they will conduct survey to determine the group’s priorities for the upcoming school year.
San Vicente Elementary School teacher Betty Miller said yesterday she is honored to have been selected as ACT’s new leader.
“I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and look forward to a productive year for the Association of Commonwealth Teachers.”
She said their organization will continue to seek collaboration among all stakeholders in the educational system of the CNMI.
“If parents, schools, and communities work together in education, we will all have a vested interest in the success of our students. It is difficult to be apathetic about something you have played an active role in building,” she told Variety.
Miller defeated Kagman Elementary’s Sam Joyner and Pastor Gagaring of Hopwood Junior High School in the elections held in February.
According to Miller, “all schools in the CNMI will have an active voice in the association; teacher representatives from each school will bring forward the needs and concerns of teachers, parents, and students which will be respectfully addressed by ACT and, when appropriate, the Board of Education; and matters addressed with the Board of Education are those we have collaboratively agreed to be of the utmost importance, thereby allowing the board to balance their time between addressing our concerns and conducting the business necessary to ensure a quality education for the children of the CNMI.”
In a separate interview, outgoing ACT president James Yangetmai said he’s happy that the election is over and is looking forward to more progress for teachers.
“I received word that the ACT ballots have finally been counted and the new officers have been informed. I am glad this is over, and I am confident that the new set of officers will steer us on the right track,” he told Variety.
Miller said seeking input from 20 public schools on three islands will be a time-consuming process but, she added, she has faith that they can represent the needs of all public school teachers and students in the CNMI.
“We will take time to gather everyone’s input before publishing opinions or positions on topics regarding education in the commonwealth,” she said.
On May 8, a meeting is scheduled to take place in Room A-11 at SVES where the formal induction of the new officers will be discussed. The meeting will start at 6 p.m.