WOMEN IN THE KNOW: Dora Jo Borja Ada

Author’s note: Saipan Tribune will be featuring leading women in higher education every week in its newest 10-part series, Women In The Know. Roberta Guerrero was previously featured for graduating with her B.A in English Literature and Composition from UC Berkeley last month. This week’s Woman in the Know is Dora Jo Borja Ada.

Dora Jo Borja Ada. (Contributed Photo)

Twenty-four-year-old Dora Jo Borja Ada grew up on the quiet hills of San Vicente. A product of public education, Ada graduated from Marianas High School and moved on to attend Northern Marianas College while making an income as a waitress.

She did not plan on pursuing higher education in the long run, but found herself thriving in her college courses and eventually graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. Not long after that, Ada went back to the classroom and attended NMC’s School of Education on a whim.

The 2015 graduate of NMC earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Special Education. She told Saipan Tribune, “I never dreamed of falling in love with the art of being a teacher, but I did and I am truly grateful that I stayed.”

Her decision to remain on island, she said, was heavily influenced by her late grandmother, Josepha Arriola Borja Ada.

“At that time, I didn’t think about being a teacher at all… I just wanted to occupy my days and leave the next year,” she explained.

She noted, however, that she has accomplished one of her life goals: obtaining a college degree.

“Now, my focus is on being a teacher in Special Education. I want to be able give myself to the community by guiding students to success. My focus isn’t on just disabilities but rather, educating others on the abilities and skills our students possess and goals they can achieve. I plan on taking my education further, not just for me, but for the benefit of the islands,” she added.

A grandmother’s influence and humble beginnings
Ada’s pursuit of a college education did not come easy. Growing up in a small home, she was raised by both grandparents until her grandfather passed away in 1995. Her grandmother took care of Ada for many years until her unfortunate passing in 2013.

“My grandmother is a kind woman with a big heart, she was always willing to lend a hand to help others, and that truly amazed me. It made me really understand that I wanted to be like her by being an educator,” she explained.

Her grandmother’s death affected Ada greatly.

“I even took a break for a semester because things were just so overwhelming. But, like with all situations, I dusted it off, got back up from my self-pity, and pushed through to graduate this May. It was what she would have wanted me to do if she were still here,” she said. “It goes to show that all that she has taught me has really had an effect on the person that I am today.”

Ada wants young local students to know that “life is challenging in itself.” She urges them to find a way to overcome every obstacle they face no matter how difficult the situation is.

“You will make mistakes and you will run into trouble, but learning from it is what counts. If I had given up each time I faced a difficult situation, my life would have gone down a very different path,” she said.

Ada plans to join the CNMI Public School System and bring good morale and positive character to the classroom environment.