Tamangided: Listen to your students

Marvin Tamangided leads his middle school English class in reading a novel. (Thomas Manglona II)

Even with the air-conditioner turned off to conserve energy and students sweating buckets in the heat, English teacher Marvin Tamangided creates a comfortable classroom environment and fosters a love for literature in his students. 

With five years of teaching on the southern island under his belt, Tamangided said he is honored to be the first from Rota named as the CNMI Public School System’s Teacher of the Year.

“The award is really dedicated to all the students and all the teachers that I have worked with from all three islands,” he added. “My best practices are the ones I have learned from other teachers.” 

Ever since he was a student, Tamangided has always wanted to be like some of the influential teachers he’s had. 

“I knew I wanted to come back to the CNMI and serve here, and Rota was where my path brought me,” he added. 

Tamangided was raised on Saipan. After graduating from Marianas High School, he moved to the University of Guam and earned a degree in political science. It was at the university where Tamangided was approached by former Rota principal Maria Quitugua and was offered a teaching position.

The first class he taught at the local high school was business math. He is currently a middle school English teacher.

“It has been a lot of hard work over the past years,” he told Saipan Tribune. “One thing that is great about our system is that we have many opportunities to be a part of professional development. I take part in many of the ones I hear about. It takes a lot of time on weekends and after school, but it has been worth it.”

The Rota teacher has participated in a variety of workshops, including the English Language Learning Core, New and Inspiring Leaders Core, and writing workshops. 

Tamangided also strives to mold his students into life-long learners and noted that even with the lack of resources and technology on the island, strong teachers can make up for it with creativity. 

Tamangided hopes for more reduction in class sizes and for increased recruiting and retention of teachers.

”It is hard to have the highly qualified teachers stay because the cost of living is so expensive here. We need to find a way where we could support these new teachers.” 

When asked what his secret to success in the classroom is, he said that listening to what students have to say is a salient factor.

“Listen to what interests them. Whenever I teach a unit or lessons I see what their trends and likes are and try my best to incorporate it in my lessons,” he added. “Peer learning is also important as well. Students need to learn from each other.”

One 8th grade student said that Tamangided is the reason he comes to school.

“He makes us feel important and also makes us read a lot. He engages me and makes me want to learn more,” the student said.