ROTA (PSS) — The new commissioner of education, Lawrence Camacho, Ed.D., launched his listening tour here on Tuesday by visiting the island’s two public schools — Sinapalo Elementary School and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School — and meeting with their stakeholders.
Camacho was accompanied by Special Education Director Donna M. Flores, who was the interim commissioner prior to his appointment on Jan. 8, 2024.
“I am really here to see the good things that are taking place in this beautiful community,” Camacho said. “I know we all have been through obstacles and challenges like any schools out there. This is the reason why I am here today. Part of my first 100 days in office is to listen to you, to talk to you, and gather data that will guide me in serving you and all of our public education stakeholders,” he told the staff of both public schools on Tuesday afternoon.
Principals Daisy Quitugua of Sinapalo Elementary School and Annette Calvo of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School led the meet-and-greet session with Camacho. Close to 200 school personnel were in attendance.
“We want to include you in the process of moving forward with our plans and initiatives for our Public School System,” Camacho said. “This continuum of direction is the approach that your commissioner of education, with the support of our [Board of Education], will take.”
“Because a lot of my plan will come from all of you, we want to include you in the process,” he added.
Camacho at the same time recognized Rota’s education staff and personnel for their “talents and expertise.”
‘Thank you’
Board of Education Chairman Herman M. Atalig of Rota welcomed Camacho on his first visit to the island as education commissioner.
“Commissioner, your Rota school community welcomes you and is excited to meet with you,” Atalig said. “Thank you for visiting Rota.”
Camacho also conducted various classroom visits and one-to-one conversations with school personnel whom he praised for their hard work and commitment.
In the Instructional Technology and Distance Education class of teacher Angeline Guiao, Camacho told the educators, “Thank you for motivating our students and making sure that they come to school to learn every day.”
Camacho assured students that PSS “will continue to help you graduate and pursue college, or whatever you pursue after high school.”
“Just keep those ‘A’s,’ those good grades,” he added.
Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior-Senior High School and Sinapalo Elementary School staff and personnel pose for a photo with Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho.
Board of Education Chairman Herman M. Atalig with Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, who visited Rota on Tuesday.
At Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School, the Chamorro and Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies class of Therese Manalang was visited by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, who was accompanied by Principal Annette Calvo.
Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho talks with students of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School.
Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School Principal Annette Calvo, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho, and Special Education Director Donna M. Flores in the school cafeteria.
Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School’s Child Nutrition Program and food service provider were visited by Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, the newly appointed education chief, and Principal Annette Calvo.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho with Special Education Program Director Donna M. Flores at Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School.
From left, teacher aide John Mendiola, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho, Rota Special Education Contact Teacher Doralynn Barcinas, Rota Special Education Contact Teacher Nadia Manglona, RHI Principal Annette Calvo and Special Education Program Director Donna M. Flores.
Principal Annette Calvo, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho, and Special Education Program Director Donna M. Flores tour the campus of Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho explains the importance of a college education and career readiness to RHI students.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and Special Education Program Director Donna M. Flores receive an update on the ongoing repair and construction work at the Sinapalo Elementary School library.
Dr. Lawrence Camacho, the newly named commissioner of education, greets the kindergarten students of Sinapalo Elementary School.
The students of the Chamorro and Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies Immersion Program class of Tricia Manglona count numbers in Chamorro while Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho looks on.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho, center, discusses Sinapalo Elementary School’s agriculture/farming school program with Principal Daisy Quitugua, right. Also in photo is Special Education Program Director Donna M. Flores.
