Under the program, classes are scheduled on Saturdays and after-school hours to allow temporary classroom teachers who don’t have certifications, or future teachers who need to be certified, to attend.

The program is paid for with federal funds and takes about a year, including two semesters and a summer. This means teachers or future teachers who qualify don’t need to worry about the cost of tuition, but they do have to commit time to the program.

The Guam Department of Education has secured about $230,000 a year in funding from the U.S. DOE Consolidated Grants for the program, said Michelle Camacho, a program coordinator with GDOE.

GDOE and UOG held a recognition ceremony on Jan. 27, 2023, for the educators who earned their certifications. About 16 educators are certified in each batch, and members from the first three batches participated in the ceremony.

Over the past three years, 48 have earned their certifications through the program.

The program is offered through the Global Learning and Engagement Department at the University.

“This program allows (limited-term) teachers to become fully certified,” said GLE Director Carlos Taitano. “Since its inception, we have added 48 teachers to join the pool of highly qualified teachers at GDOE.”

The U.S. DOE funding covers tuition, fees, and courses to prepare educators for the Praxis tests.

There are about 25 slots open in each cohort but not everyone completes the program due to various reasons, Camacho said.

For more information about the teacher certification program and how to apply, email Michelle Camacho at GDOE mmcamacho@gdoe.net