Guam News - Community Events

Fifteen educators from Guam Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will complete their graduate degrees and special education certification by next May.  They will be joining nearly 140 graduates in 14 Cohorts since the summer of 2007.

[ L-R: Professor Julie Fee, Dr. Mary Jane Miller, Ms Catherine Cardenas, Shawnette Celes, Dr. Richard W. Fee, Dr. John Sanchez.]

The program uses a non-traditional, one-year program, where students complete courses during an eight-week summer session and on weekends during the fall and spring semesters. “This Master in Special Education degree is specifically designed for professional educators currently working in or planning to work in the field of Special Education,” said Dr. Richard Fee, Chairperson for the program.

The program is preparing Special Education teachers to succeed.  Shawnette Celes, a member of the 14th Cohort who currently teaches for DoDEA, recently received a score of 194 out of a possible 200 on the national Praxis II examination in Special Education. According to Dr. Fee, this is the highest score ever recorded on Guam.

“The Special Education masters program was a great experience,” said Celes, who completed the Master of Education in Special Education program in July. “Working together as a cohort made balancing work and school much more manageable and aided me in successfully completing the program. The level of support and expertise afforded by both professors and my fellow cohort members has prepared me to enter into the high need area of Special Education.”

For more information visit www.uog.edu.