About PREL

Advisory Councils

One of PREL's core beliefs is the value of convening professional educators from the Pacific region to provide advice and feedback. This belief is reflected in all of PREL's proposals and programs of work.

In order to inform the quality and rigor of PREL's work, many of PREL's programs utilize Advisory Councils. Advisory Councils are established in accordance with the bylaws of PREL, under the direction of the President and CEO with the consent of the Board of Directors. The Advisory Councils are comprised of regionally, nationally and often internationally renowned experts in their respective fields. The Advisory Council members typically convene with PREL staff to discuss the designated work, and provide critical guidance and review.

PREL's Advisory Councils

PREL's longest standing Advisory Council, the Pacific Curriculum and Instruction Council (PCIC) consists of the Curriculum and Instruction Chiefs from each of the 10 entities PREL serves and from the Federated States of Micronesia national government. These are senior positions, usually directly serving the chief state school officer. The PCIC members are in critically important positions to help coordinate and integrate PREL's programs to maximize their effectiveness and impact. The PCIC is not affiliated with one PREL program, but serves to advise all of PREL. Members are as follows:

  • Mr. Reynold Albert, Pohnpei Department of Education
  • Ms. Sylvia Calvo, Guam Department of Education
  • Mr. Burnis Danis, Federated States of Micronesia Department of Education
  • Ms. Donna Gurr, American Samoa Department of Education
  • Mr. Daniel Hamada, Hawai'i Department of Education
  • Mr. Eliseus Akapito, Chuuk State School System
  • Mr. Richard Mungwaath, Yap State Department of Education
  • Ms. Jackie Quitugua, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System
  • Mr. Hanson Sigrah, Kosrae Department of Education
  • Ms. Matilda Biram Stege, Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Education
  • Ms. Debbie Tkel-Sbal, Palau Ministry of Education

The Pacific Higher Education Council (PHEC) was established in 2003 as a way to increase communication between institutions of higher education (IHEs) and PREL. PHEC advises PREL on teacher preparation and professional development. Members consist of presidents, or deans of college of education, from key Pacific IHEs with a teacher education program and are responsible for coordinating and integrating the work of PREL where feasible and appropriate within their institution and community. PHEC typically meets with PREL once each year.

The Pacific Comprehensive Center's (PCC) Regional Advisory Board (RAB) is charged with advising the PCC Director concerning the activities of the PCC on: (a) strategies for monitoring and addressing the educational needs of the region on an ongoing basis, (b) maintaining a high standard of quality, and (c) carrying out its activities in a manner that promotes progress toward improving student academic achievement. The RAB is made up chief state school officers (CSSOs) in the Pacific region, as well as constituent members, who are nominated by the CSSOs and approved by the respective chief executive, who represent educational interests in the region. The RAB holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) in July and receives regular updates through an electronic newsletter, as well as through discussions in conjunction with the meetings of PREL's Board of Directors. Members are as follows:

Chief State School Officers

  • Ms. Gardenia Aisek, Director of Education, Chuuk State School System
  • Mr. Lyndon Cornelius, Director of Education, Kosrae State Department of Education
  • Mr. Masa-Aki Emesiochl, Minister of Education, Republic of Palau Ministry of Education
  • Ms. Jacinta Galea`i, Acting Director of Education, American Samoa Department of Education
  • Dr. Hilda Heine, Minister of Education, Republic of the Marshall Island Ministry of Education
  • Mr. Clayton Kaninau, Director for the Curriculum and Instruction Branch for the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support,  Hawai'i State Department of Education (Designee)
  • Mr. Vincent Parren, Director of Education, Yap State Department of Education
  • Ms. Jackie Quitugua, Associate Commissioner for Instructional Services, CNMI Public School System (Designee)
  • Ms. Taling M. Taitano, Interim Superintendent of Education, Guam Department of Education
  • Mr. Joseph Villazon, Director of Education, Pohnpei State Department of Education

Constituent Representatives

  • Mr. Vic Angoco, Senior Vice President, Pacific Division, Matson Navigation Company, Hawai'i
  • Ms. Rosa Lynne Florendo, Teacher Representative, Palau
  • Mr. Paul Hadik, Consultant, Chuuk State School System
  • Dr. Mary A.Y. Okada, President, Guam Community College
  • Dr. Christine Sorensen, Dean, College of Education, University of Hawai'i
  • Dr. Judith T. Won Pat, Senator, Guam

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Pacific Resources for Education and Learning
Phone:
(808) 441-1300
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(800) 377-4773

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