Despite a number of issues affecting her ability to function normally, Leon Guerrero has learned to accept and overcome her physical challenges to pursue her lifelong goals.
Leon Guerrero was awarded the Individuals with Disabilities Employee of the Year 2011 last Friday during a National Disabilities Employment Awareness Month Conference at the Holiday Resort & Spa. The event was sponsored by the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities.
Leon Guerrero is a special education teacher at Benavente Middle School and has been with the Guam Department of Education for 12 years. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
During the awarding ceremony, Leon Guerrero, humbled and shocked, could not hold back her tears. She said: “I didn’t know they were going to do something like this during the conference. This was a total surprise,” said Leon Guerrero.
“I stood there holding a trophy with the Guam Seal, shocked and just thinking of God’s blessings. My mother was sitting in the audience and I noticed she was in tears. She smiled at me and I felt honored and humbled to accept this award,” she added.
Born with cerebral palsy — a congenital disorder causing physical disability in human development — Leon Guerrero’s speech and ability to walk were affected. She underwent surgery to correct her walk, and speech therapy to communicate more clearly.
“In my early years of teaching, I used assistive technology to help me speak clearly,” said Leon Guerrero. “Today, I no longer use it, because I educate students and colleagues to learn to accept me as I am. I give them a rule of thumb, like asking for clarification if they don’t understand me, and I will repeat what I said.”
In fact, Leon Guerrero today enjoys exercising and running on the treadmill.
As a special education teacher, Leon Guerrero is an advocate for anyone challenged with a disability. At BMS, she teaches life skills to students with significant disabilities, so they may become productive citizens in school and in the community.
