GES counselors represent CNMI in Guam conference

A couple of Garapan Elementary School counselors represented the CNMI Public School System in the 2nd Annual Guidance Counseling Conference held on Guam.

Laila Camacho and Paulette Tomokane took part in the event that started from Feb. 6 to 10. Camacho is this year’s GES Support Staff of the Year, while Tomokane is the school’s Teacher of the Year awardee.

Tomokane said yesterday morning that more than 100 counselors from Guam and its Pacific neighbors gathered at the Palace Hotel for the five-day training and workshop with some facilitators and speakers flying in from Tucson, Arizona.

The counselors took a refresher course on the Association of School Counselors in America model and framework for School Guidance Programs.

“We are very fortunate to be sent to the conference,” said Tomokane, adding that it was a privilege for both of them to join Guam’s elementary, middle school, and high school counselors.

She said they are scheduled to present what they have learned during the training in the next monthly counselors’ meeting at the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning at the Marianas High School.

“A lot of what we discussed in the training we [CNMI] can follow,” she said.

Tomokane disclosed that there are no set guidelines being followed universally by school counselors in the CNMI. She said she is hoping that when they present what they learned from the conference to PSS counselors, a counselors guidance program for the CNMI would eventually be set for compliance.

It was a great opportunity for the GES counselors to represent the CNMI in the conference, Tomokane said, adding that they were both surprised but gratified when they learned that their request for an off-island training opportunity was finally granted. They each received a letter of confirmation early this month that they would represent the Commonwealth in the summit.

Both GES counselors, who are only 28 years old, said they were thankful for the trust and confidence of their school principal and the PSS.

GES principal Yvonne Gomez said it was about time her counselors attend a formal training, conference and workshops because it is long overdue. She said she is extremely proud of the counselors’ dedication to their work everyday.

Gomez said the counselors’ work is to connect with the schoolchildren, not only academically but also psychologically in ways that would have an impact on their performance in school.

Camacho has been with GES since 1998, while Tomokane began teaching at the school since 2002.