(PSS) — Continuing his listening tour, Commissioner of Education Lawrence F. Camacho, Ed.D. met with Tinian Public School System staff and personnel, saying he wants to know directly from them what needs to be done.
Camacho, who earlier visited Rota, headed to Tinian, Wednesday, Jan. 24 to meet with close to 200 public education staff and personnel in the Tinian High School cafeteria.
“I came here with a clear expectation: to hear from you,” he told them. “I am not a miracle worker. But I am here to listen to you and make things work for you, for all of us in the Public School System. I will do my very best. I am reachable and accessible.”
He added, “On a personal level, I am with you. This is not the last of my visit but part of an ongoing engagement that will make sure you are all part of the process.”
Tinian’s Board of Education member, Antonio L. Borja, welcomed Camacho to the island. It was Camacho’s first time to visit Tinian since the BOE named him education commissioner on Jan. 8.
Camacho pledged to spend his “first 100 days” listening and conducting dialogues with public education stakeholders.
He believes PSS can achieve more because it is the “home of professionals” who advocate for the success of each student. “I will not spend most of the time on Capital Hill and pretend to know everything because I am a firm believer that we are all professionals who listen to each other in getting things done for our children,” he said.
“What’s good about Tinian Middle School?” he asked its students, who replied. “Everything!”
“Actually, it’s the leadership class that we have here,” one of the students added, referring to the Middle School Leadership Corps created by PSS for middle schools on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian. The program prepares students who want to join their high school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Another student said, “We need more fun [activities].”
Camacho said he agrees with the students. “I’m glad to be able to meet with all of you. This is what we are here for — to hear from you,” he said.
“I also believe in our public education system. I was once a student like you,” he said, adding that he attended San Roque Elementary School, which was later renamed after his grandfather, Gregorio T. Camacho.
“My grandfather used to drop me at school, and I am happy that my former school was renamed after him,” the education commissioner said.
He also attended Hopwood Middle School and graduated from Marianas High School.
“As you can see, you can also be leaders,” he told the Tinian students. “What I am today is because of the good education I received [in the CNMI] and because of that, I am humbled to serve as your commissioner of education.”
Commissioner of Education Lawrence F. Camacho, Ed.D., center, poses for a photo with the personnel and staff of Tinian Elementary School, Tinian Middle School, and Tinian High School led by Principals Lou Connie Manglona and Liz Perzinski.
Tinian Board of Education member Antonio L. Borja, left, welcomes Commissioner of Education Lawrence F. Camacho Ed.D., left, on his first official visit to Tinian on Jan. 24.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho meets with Tinian High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps command staff officers. A retired U.S. Army lt. colonel, Camacho served the nation for over two decades and is a recipient of two Bronze Star medals and the Combat Action Badge, among other awards and decorations.
Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, the commissioner of education, talks with students of an immersion class at Tinian Middle School.
Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho meets with Tinian Elementary School Principal Lou Connie Manglona and other school personnel.
Kindergarten pupils greet Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Camacho during his visit to Tinian Elementary School last week.
Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Camacho listens to a Tinian Middle School student.
