HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — In addressing the shortage of teachers, the Guam Department of Education’s Project Prugråman Tiningo’ – Mapoksai is developing the workforce through a high school mentorship program focused on becoming a CHamoru teacher.
“The activity aims to poksai, or rear/raise, GDOE high school students (in) grades 10 to 12 who aspire to become future CHamoru language and culture educators in Guam. The activity will task up to two teachers from each GDOE high school to mentor two students from grades 10 to 12,” a GDOE release said.
Much like the ancient CHamoru culture, the project uses a master-apprentice approach “that focuses on CHamoru language and culture through the view of a native lens that harkens back to the time of our CHamoru ancestors,” the release said.
According to GDOE, the approach allows for the teacher to mentor the student through high school graduation.
“The ensuing goal is to mentor each student all the way to graduation and provide them with the necessary skills and language competency to attend college and graduate to be a certified CHamoru language and culture educator,” the release said.
GDOE noted that each teacher would be compensated up to $5,000 per semester under the Fiscal Year Consolidated Grant project.
“High school CHamoru teachers interested in this opportunity may contact the CHamoru Studies and Special Projects Division or their principals. Other high school teachers interested in the Mapoksai activity will be able to avail of this opportunity. (They) must be a fluent speaker (of) CHamoru and have a deep understanding (of) CHamoru core values and advocate for CHamoru language revitalization,” the release said.
Project Prugråman Tiningo’ – Mapoksai will continue to the next school year.
Rows of latte stones are displayed at Sen. Angel Leon Guerrero Santos Latte Stone Memorial Park in Hagåtña on Friday, March 1, 2024.
