‘A brighter future for NMI education’

If there’s one thing immediately apparent about 2005 CNMI Teacher of the Year Charlotte Camacho, she is an optimist. Despite all the challenges facing the Public School System, she believes that public education in the CNMI is on an upward trend.

“We are getting more competitive because the Public School System has a vision for education in the CNMI,” she said, soon after being conferred the prestigious award yesterday at the Laolao Bay Golf Resort. She affirmed that public education in the CNMI is in the right direction.

Camacho, who was considered by her peers and colleagues as a teacher, colleague, mentor, caregiver, parent, and friend, has been teaching for the past 10 years. She said she has been with GTC for seven years and that she truly enjoys working with the school because she loves working with children.

“No teacher should belittle any child,” said Camacho, a Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School first grade teacher.

Camacho was selected among 17 nominees for this year’s TOY award and will represent the CNMI in the nationwide search this January 2006.

Camacho said she was taken aback when she heard her name. “I’m very surprised because we have so many qualified teachers out there.”

As soon as Camacho’s name was announced, GTC Elementary School teachers and teacher aides screamed in delight and literally dragged her all the way up to the stage, all the while ecstatically jumping for joy for their colleague’s recognition.

“I am honored to be one of the best teachers coming from a very small island,” Camacho said, adding that the recognition makes her proud.

GTC Elementary School principal Manuela Babauta said she is equally happy with the selection of one of her teachers as this only proves that GTC has the best teachers on the island.

“She’s an excellent teacher and she does a lot for the school and the community,” Babauta said.

Camacho graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood from San Diego State University. She then took her master’s degree in Education through a program of the Northern Marianas College program for Framingham College. She is currently a mentor teacher with the College of Education at NMC. Camacho is a member of the Language Arts Committee, which reviews the Standards and Benchmarks of the school.

Her community involvements include the first ever Recycling Contest during school year 2004-2005, participation in the annual Red Cross Walkathon, Penny Drive, DPS Vigil parades, Family Health Fair, Interscholastic Sports, PGFC, Academic Challenge Bowl, READ today, and book fairs.

“I wanted to make sure as a teacher that I do make a difference in the community,” she said.

She advised fellow CNMI teachers that they should always keep in mind that they are under the PSS family with one mission, which is to educate and make sure student learning is always achieved.

“Having that as our goal will make us better in our profession,” she added.

Camacho, 37, is happily married to PO2 Michael Camacho and the couple is blessed with four children. She studied at Mt. Carmel School in elementary and high school from Gaither High School in Tampa, Florida.