[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 95 (Friday, June 3, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E571-E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING STEPHANE CAMACHO CONCEPCION ON BEING 
 SELECTED AS THE 2023 GUAM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MICHAEL F. Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2022

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Stephane Camacho Concepcion on being selected as the 2023 
Guam Department of Education (GDOE) Teacher of the Year. Stephane is an 
exceptional teacher whose passion for service, dedication to our youth, 
and commitment to holistic community growth have and continue to leave 
a lasting impact on our people, island, and future.
  The prestigious Teacher of the Year Program has recognized teachers 
in Guam since 1969 for their excellence in teaching and contributions 
to community. In addition to highlighting both teachers' extraordinary 
work and the importance of a quality education system, the national 
platform provides educators with unique opportunities to represent and 
lead our district in elevating its classroom standards and practices. 
After a rigorous nomination, evaluation, and observation process,

[[Page E572]]

Stephane was selected from among six finalists and now joins a cohort 
of esteemed teachers from across the nation as Talofofo Elementary 
School's first award recipient in 52 years.
  Early in life, Stephane understood the value of education; growing 
up, her mother, grandparents, and mentors made it a point to emphasize 
that learning should be a priority. Yet it wasn't just a lesson she was 
told--it is a fundamental truth she witnessed firsthand. As a young 
girl, Stephane routinely helped prepare her aunt's classroom for the 
new school year and saw how her dedication outside of it deeply 
affected the lives of her students. Stephane's first-grade teacher also 
drew compelling connections between education and fun that further 
nurtured her love for learning and desire to make a difference. Paired 
with her aspirations for purpose-driven service, these formative 
experiences propelled Stephane onto a path that similarly shapes 
children's educational journeys. After receiving her high school 
diploma at the Guam Community College, she earned a bachelor's degree 
in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Guam 
(UOG). She then returned to the university and went on to obtain two 
master's degrees in both Administration & Supervision and Reading.
  Today, Stephane celebrates over 16 years of teaching with GDOE and as 
demonstrated throughout her career, she has and continues to both 
redefine and reimagine the vital role of a teacher in empowering 
communities. Beyond ensuring her students are adequately supported with 
uniquely tailored instructional styles and assistance, her leadership 
within the larger school system has meaningfully contributed to 
improving the learning experience for countless Guam students. As both 
a curriculum coordinator and school site instructional coach, Stephane 
has extensively collaborated with educators across the island, 
advocated for the evolving needs of our children, and worked diligently 
to stand up a robust school community by cultivating greater 
relationships and communication with parents, faculty, staff, and 
students.
  On behalf of the People of Guam, I would like to extend a sincere 
congratulations to Stephane Camacho Concepcion. Her unwavering 
commitment to collaboration, collective progress, and student-centered 
success both underscores the criticality of education for all and 
inspires learners and educators alike to similarly rise as catalysts 
for positive transformation. Stephane's selflessness, passion, and 
determination to meet students where they are to best help them get to 
where they can and dream to be offers renewed hope in the achievements 
we can realize through heart and hard work, and I wish her the best on 
the rest of her professional journey.

                          ____________________