THE Public School System has been unwavering in its investment in strengthening indigenous language instruction and supporting cultural preservation, ensuring that public school students receive quality classroom education. Recently, the Chamorro and Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies or CCLHS program successfully conducted specialized professional development for its instructors.
This initiative reflects the CCLHS program’s deep commitment to professional growth, community collaboration, and language revitalization. By empowering instructors with skills, knowledge, and a shared purpose, the program helps ensure that the Chamorro and Carolinian languages and cultures remain vibrant in CNMI classrooms.
Respected Carolinian language educator Jesus Elameto led the professional development focused on the Carolinian component of the training. The initiative is designed to help instructors meet Board of Education requirements while enhancing classroom instruction through curriculum development and visual arts integration.
The specialized professional development was held from July 21 to 25 at Hopwood Middle School.
Instructors are collaborating to design engaging lessons rooted in the unique traditions and identities of the Chamorro and Carolinian peoples. The sessions emphasize creativity, cultural authenticity, and the use of instructional technology to produce bilingual materials, including visual aids, multimedia presentations, and culturally relevant content in both languages.
“This training is not just about meeting certification requirements,” said Dr. Rizalina Liwag, senior director of the Office of Curriculum and Instructional Services. “It’s about equipping our instructors with meaningful tools to inspire the next generation through our native languages and cultural heritage.”
Through hands-on activities, peer collaboration, and guided lesson planning, instructors are building a library of classroom-ready materials tailored to their students’ learning needs. The development of these resources reflects a broader goal: to ensure that language education is dynamic, accessible, and rooted in cultural pride.
This professional development initiative was made possible through funding from the federal Consolidated Grant, which supports programs promoting academic achievement and literacy across the CNMI.
Educator Jesus Elameto, 3rd left, led a successful specialized professional development session for PSS CCLHS instructors.
Some participants of the specialized professional development training gather for a photo prior to the start of their activities.
One of the goals of the specialized professional development is to help PSS CCLHS instructors create classroom-ready materials tailored to their students’ learning needs.
Senior Director of the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Rizalina Liwag, left, also participated in the specialized training.
