Inspirational life stories cap ‘Heroes-to-Teachers Week’

The Public School System’s weeklong celebration of Heroes-to-Teachers Week was capped Friday by inspirational stories shared by once troubled and undecided youths who found their purpose and calling in life through the program.

Speaking in front of a huge crowd at the crowded Seaside Hall of Kanoa Resort, Jordan Jucutan and Rosa Camacho led peers in relating meaningful life stories that they hope would inspire more people.

“Growing up, I was surrounded by people who never believed in me. I was always told that I was dumb. My teachers told me that the D on my grade meant ‘dumb.’ I was also being compared to my siblings. I was laughed at because I was not doing good in school. At that time, I had no motivation to excel in school or even excel in life. I grew up not believing in myself. I was always put down,” said Jucutan.

Soon after graduating from high school, Jucutan joined the military. He came back after basic training and went on a job hunt. Though he landed a part-time job, he felt that wasn’t enough.

“During our monthly drill for the military, one of my battle buddies mentioned the Troops-To-Teacher Program, now Heroes-To-Teach. He encouraged me to apply. I applied and sure enough, I was hired. It was like heaven-sent,” he recalled.

Even then, Jucutan admitted that he still had no idea what to do with his life or even what to major in. He wasn’t sure if he really wanted to become a teacher and if teaching was the right job for him. That was until he saw his first-born and started to think about the future.

“From then on, I had to decide what I’d like to do: pursue a degree in education. There were times when I wanted to quit or take a break, but every time I looked at her, it pushed me to continue and to better my life, that way I can provide a better and comfortable life for my baby,” he said.

In the military, Jucutan learned to focus on values, motivation, determination, and dedication. He used those skills, this time to pursue higher education. In May 2013, he finally obtained his college diploma and became a full-fledged teacher. He is now among the teaching staff at Hopwood Junior High School.

“Even though I was put down so many times when I was growing up, I used them as my motivation to keep going on. I was determined to better my life and my future, and I used my children as my drive to push and continue with my education, not only for myself but for them. I am dedicated to change and be the light to every child here in the CNMI,” he said.

Rosa Camacho also moved the audience with her story. From being an undecided and easy-go-lucky teenager, Camacho shared how she was helped by the Heroes-to-Teachers program of PSS where she was allowed to continue her college education while working for the school system.

She is now a classroom teacher at Garapan Elementary School and recently acquired her master’s degree at Framingham State University. While the Army really pushed her to be strong, it was the PSS Heroes-to-Teach program that made things happen for her and her family, she said.

Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan and BOE chair Herman T. Guerrero, who were among Friday’s guests of honor, said that hearing these success stories only show that the program is working, in line with its mission to help returning service heroes by finding them jobs at PSS.