[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. BENJAMIN ``BENJIE'' SANTIAGO ON BEING 
 SELECTED AS THE 2021 GUAM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MICHAEL F.Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 2022

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Dr. Benjamin ``Benjie'' Santiago on being selected as the 
2021 Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Teacher of the Year. Dr. 
Santiago is an exemplary teacher whose commitment to service and 
devotion to community have and continue to inspire our youth, foster 
great leadership, and expand opportunities for our island students to 
lead successful lives.
  The Teacher of the Year Program is the oldest and most prestigious 
national honors program focused on recognizing excellence in teaching. 
Providing a platform for highlighting both the extraordinary work and 
dedication of educators across the country and the importance of 
quality education in the futures of our youth, island, and nation, this 
program has uniquely directed community accolades to outstanding 
teachers in Guam since 1969. Following a rigorous nomination, 
evaluation, and observation process, Dr. Santiago was awarded the honor 
from among six finalists.
  Dr. Santiago first discovered his passion for teaching when he took 
on roles as an instructor at cultural dance academies and a local 
fitness organization. Embracing his calling to help others on their 
personal paths of achievement, he navigated an extensive teaching 
career that has resulted in what is now 25 years with GDOE: In 1993, 
Dr. Santiago earned his Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from 
the University of Guam. He then went on to earn his master's and 
doctoral degrees in education and educational leadership from the 
University of Portland and Argosy University respectively. Today, Dr. 
Santiago celebrates over 15 years of service to students and colleagues 
as a cultural dance and journalism teacher at Agueda I. Johnston Middle 
School.
  As demonstrated by his countless achievements, Dr. Santiago has 
consistently gone above and beyond his duties within the school system. 
In addition to collaborative curriculum and intervention development 
for holistic student success, Dr. Santiago has served as an in-house 
mentor for new teachers, coordinated cultural events for his school 
community, and successfully trained a school choir to earn 3 gold 
medals in a CHamoru language competition. Further, he is a trailblazing 
force that has created curricula for Cultural Arts and Dance for all 
secondary grade levels, introduced a new method to simultaneously teach 
cultural dance to both face-to-face and online learners amid the 
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and developed a new CHamoru language program 
with support from local government agencies. Most impressive, however, 
is his personal undertaking to establish deeper understanding and 
awareness of cultural concepts as an inherent part of Guam's public 
education.
  On behalf of the People of Guam, I would like to extend a sincere 
congratulations to Dr. Benjamin Santiago. His combined approach to 
advocate for both students and culture both challenges the traditional 
definitions of learning and success within the four walls of a 
classroom and better equips our youth to pursue any endeavor they dare 
to dream. Dr. Santiago's perseverance, ingenuity, and zeal to secure 
the best for our students encapsulates the limitless potential 
available to communities that work together in service of each other, 
and I wish him the best on the rest of his professional journey.

                          ____________________