Mount Carmel School welcomes new employees for SY 21-22

Mount Carmel School is welcoming back most of last year’s teachers and staff, as well as some new and not-so-new faces, in time for the start of the school year.

NORISA CAMACHO

NORISA CAMACHO

7th and 8th Grade -reading and English language arts teacher
Camacho is a 2002 AlumKnight and returns to the school as Mount Carmel’s new teacher for 7th and 8th grade reading and English language arts. Camacho has seven years of teaching experience and holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in culinary arts management. As the new school year starts, she is excited to be a part of a great teaching community and to meet her students.
Prior to joining the MCS team. Camacho also served the school as president of the AlumKnight Association, aiding the school in its fundraising efforts with events such as, “A Night with the Knights.” Camacho is also a business owner and is the co-owner of “Couples Cakery” a well-known bakery on Saipan that makes customized cakes. When asked how her business experience will impact her lessons in the classroom, Camacho said she is excited to share the importance of hands-on learning, which she intends to incorporate into her lessons.

FLORINDA CHAVEZ

FLORINDA CHAVEZ

1st grade homeroom teacher
Chavez is a long-time educator bringing 32 years of teaching experience to the MCS family and her first-grade class. Prior to joining the MCS team, Chavez taught for 29 years at Mount Carmel’s sister school, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota. Chavez holds a bachelor of arts degree in English and a master of arts degree in education.

ZENO DELEON GUERRERO

ZENO DELEON GUERRERO

9th and 12th grade composition and literature teacher
Zeno Deleon Guerrero is a 2017 AlumKnight and returns to Mount Carmel School as its new teacher for 9th grade composition and literature as well as 12th grade composition. Deleon Guerrero is a recent graduate from the University of Puget Sound and earned his bachelor of arts degree in English with a minor in Japanese.
Returning to the CNMI soon after graduation, Deleon Guerrero said, “I want to start building my career as an educator, and what better way to do so than to serve at the school that nurtured me into the young professional I’ve become.”

STEVEN KAMANAO

STEVEN KAMANAO

Elementary P.E. teacher
Steven Kamanao will serve as Mount Carmel School’s new physical education teacher for elementary students. Prior to joining the Mount Carmel School team, Kamanao worked as a program specialist for the Kids At-risk Mentoring Programs, or KAMP,  from 2015 to 2020 in Hawaii. His experience working with the youth started as a mentor and tutor in 2008.

ALYSSA SHEERA G. PALATTAO

ALYSSA SHEERA G. PALATTAO

6th grade science, social studies, and literature teacher
Alyssa Palattao is a new member of the Mount Carmel School family and brings an extensive academic background holding an associate degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and certificates in child safety and learning and teaching from the Child Care Licensing Program in partnership with DCCA-CCDF, Evergreen Learning Center, and Texas A&M. Palattao also holds a certificate in performance enhancement through the CNMI Public School System in partnership with Instructional Technology & Distance Education, and Northern Marianas College – Community Development Institute.
Prior to joining the Mount Carmel School team, Palattao served as a kindergarten teacher and will continue her professional growth as the incoming sixth grade teacher for science, social studies, and literature.

SHYARALYN SAN NICOLAS

SHYARALYN SAN NICOLAS

K4 teacher aide
Shyaralyn “Shy” San Nicolas is no stranger to Mount Carmel School, prior to joining the team, Ms. She supported many of Mount Carmel School’s events and activities as a volunteer parent. San Nicolas brings a bachelor’s degree in management and entrepreneurship, but this will be her first year teaching.
“I wanted to work at Mount Carmel School because of its Catholic identity and teachings. Prior to my employment at MCS, I helped the school as an MCS parent and admired how well-rounded my sons have become as young men. I am proud to serve the school community as teacher aide and to help the school continue to fulfill its mission.”

MARIA CARLOTA R. SIMEON

MARIA CARLOTA R. SIMEON

Algebra I, algebra II, physics, and financial literacy teacher
Maria Simeon is a new member of the Mount Carmel School family and brings nearly 20 years of accounting experience. One of the aspects of teaching that excites Simeon the most is her chance to make a difference in the lives of her students. As a new teacher, Simeon is passionate about the school’s mission and aims to help mold her students to excel physically, mentally, academically, and spiritually.

SONY NATIVIDAD

SONY NATIVIDAD

3rd grade homeroom teacher
Sony Natividad is another seasoned teacher bringing 35 years of teaching experience to the Mount Carmel School family. Interested in curriculum and development, Natividad is excited to work with the school to implement new curriculum and strategies to better teach and engage students.

MARY ROSE LUCERO

MARY ROSE LUCERO

4th grade homeroom teacher
Mary Rose Lucero is another veteran educator at Mount Carmel School, bringing 24 years of teaching experience. Committed to collaborative learning, Lucero aims to foster a passion for educational growth in her students by encouraging them to share their thoughts, theories, and ideas in the classroom.

CHRISTOPHER KWARCIANY

CHRISTOPHER KWARCIANY

Geography, U.S. History, and world history teacher
Christopher Kwarciany brings an array of professional skills and experience to the school community with six years of teaching experience. This school year, Kwarciany will teach seventh-grade geography, eighth-grade U.S. History, and tenth-grade world history. He presently holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in interdisciplinary studies from Miami University of Ohio. Prior to teaching at Mount Carmel School, Kwarciany served as an English as a second language teacher in Korea and China and in the CNMI Public School System.