SELECTED educators of the Public School System began last week the first of the five series of continuing education training aimed at empowering them with the skills to handle bilingual or multi-lingual students.
PSS bilingual coordinator Jesus Elameto said there is a need to upgrade the skills of certified bilingual teachers to improve the learning environment in the classroom.
“We have teachers who come in and they don’t know what to do with the kids so we want to equip them with the necessary skills to handle bilingual students or multi-lingual students,” Elameto said.
PSS teacher Pat Kapileo, who also helped coordinate the project, said the first training started on June 24 and ended on June 28.
Elameto said the participants must spend at least three hours in the classroom to complete the requirements.
“This is a 1.5 continuing education unit. It’s three hours a day for five days or 15 clock hours. This is a one-shot deal between PSS and Northern Marianas College,” he said.
Sixty teacher aides participated during last week’s course, according to Kapileo. They were divided into two separate classes—one was handled by Joe Limes, the former acting principal of Garapan Elementary School, while the other trained under former Oleai Elementary School Principal Evelyn Ooka, who is now connected with Pacific Resources for Education and Learning.
Kapileo said the participants will have to complete four more weeks of instructional training to fulfill the requirements.
From July 8 to 12, the teacher aides will undergo a 1.5 semestral unit on planning and assessment for diverse classroom at NMC or OES.
From July 15 to 19, William S. Reyes Elementary School Vice Principal Alfred Ada will lecture on instruction for students with disabilities.
