Passionate. Driven. Committed. Leader. Motivator. These words come to mind to describe Mrs. Roselle I. Carreon, the 2019 Teacher of the Year from Oleai Elementary School (OES).

Saipan’s home-grown educator knew at the age of five that what she wanted most to be was an educator. She followed in the footsteps of her parents Brigida D.L.G. Ichihara and Juan A. Ichihara. 

After graduating from Marianas High School as Salutatorian in 1999, she enrolled in the CNMI’s lone college, the Northern Marianas College (NMC) as an elementary education major. In December 2003, she graduated with highest honors. Eager and motivated, she applied for a teaching position with the CNMI Public School System; she was hired the following month as a Kindergarten teacher for OES. In August 2006, Carreon received her Master’s Degree in Education from Framingham State College (NMC).

Carreon taught Kindergarten for six years. She laid a solid foundation for these Kindergarteners. Realizing Carreon’s potential and wanting her to expand her expertise, Mr. Glenn Muna, OES’ then School Principal and now the current Public School System’s Interim Commissioner of Education, encouraged Carreon to take on third grade to boost student test scores, and raise scores, she did, even till today! Carreon taught third grade for one year, and the following year, she taught fourth grade and still does today. 

Carreon’s firm belief is: Character is just as important as academics. She nurtures her students’ growth: academically, socially, physically, and mentally. She guides and fosters each child, the WHOLE child.