Phillips will attend a conference in Dallas, Texas from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1 with the 55 other outstanding teachers representing the states and territories.
A private organization coordinating the national teacher program will select the final four candidates.
Obama, who will be sworn in next month, will choose the nation’s teacher of the year from the final four.
“In March, the final four candidates will be called to Washington, D.C. to meet with the committee for interview,” Phillips said. “We expect the winner to be announced by the president in the traditional gathering of teachers from all states and territories in early May.”
Currently in his fifth year at Marianas High School, Phillips holds a master of science degree and is a staff instructor for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.
At MHS, he developed a marine science course for students to earn a PADI Open water certification while conducting their own underwater marine research.
He likewise developed a diving industry vocational education course to allow participating senior students to earn PADI instructor credentials prior to graduation. This will prepare them for employment in Saipan’s diving industry.
Phillips on Monday delivered an inspirational message to the new teachers of the Public School System.
Teaching, he said, is “very exciting and fulfilling.”
The cultural diversity of PSS is one of the qualities that make the islands public schools “very unique.”
He also believes that PSS is not alone among the nation’s other school systems in facing financial concerns.
The CNMI’s current financial situation, he said, should not affect PSS educators in their efforts to further improve student learning.
