Martin B. Ada
FORMER Rep. Martin B. Ada, who is seeking a Board of Education seat, on Thursday shared some of his ideas to improve education in the CNMI.
Ada, who also served as chair of the Marianas Public Land Trust, was a second grade teacher at William S. Reyes Elementary School. In Aug. 1980, he went to Pagan to teach double sessions every day in the school. He taught children in grades 1 to 7 on Pagan from 1980 to 1981, but his teaching time on the remote island was cut short when its volcano showed signs of eruption.
“That ties in to my passion to educate our children,” he said, adding that, if given another opportunity, he would do it again.
The first improvement he wants to see is more flexibility in the length of time to pass the Praxis test for teachers.
He said different people have different phases in terms of their academic abilities. Teacher aides, for example, should be given “enough time” to complete the Praxis test.
Ada also believes that Chamorro and Carolinian should be taught early in elementary school so students will have a “solid foundation” before middle school.
In addition, Ada said the visual and the performing arts such as music and dancing should be revived in schools.
He also wants students to learn the local cultural tradition of respecting elders. “We don’t want to lose that tradition,” he added.
Ada said he would work together with other BOE members and the commissioner of education in revisiting all programs, activities and services, and identifying concerns or issues that need to be addressed.
“Because it takes a collaborative effort. There are five people on the board working together in making the best decisions for our education system,” Ada said.
He said there is also a need to ensure a safe and welcoming environment in schools.
“Whenever parents drop their children at school, it is important to make these children feel like they are coming to their second home,” he added.
He said he would also focus on the infrastructure needs of the schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
In addition, he will look into improving the Public School System’s food program. He said he has seen many students refuse to eat their lunch “because they don’t like it.”
Perhaps the board can improve a food selection or provide the children with an alternative menu, Ada said.
Food is very important for student learning, he said, adding that he supports the inclusion of a “cultural” menu alongside current “stateside” recommendations.
The other candidates for Saipan’s two open BOE seats are incumbent members Greg Borja and Maisie Tenorio, former Rep. Juan I. Tenorio and Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, chair of the Public Land Advisory Board and Chief Aghurubw Foundation president.
