The Guam Department of Education and the Foundation for Public Education have announced three finalists for the 2027 Guam Teacher of the Year award, recognizing educators from three of the island's public schools.
The finalists are Jonnavie Abaya of Simon Sanchez High School, Carolyn Haruo of John F. Kennedy High School and Madrid Borja of Luis P. Untalan Middle School.
Abaya, an English Language Arts teacher with 10 years of experience, has held numerous leadership roles at Simon Sanchez, including English 9 Professional Learning Community Team Lead from 2015 to 2023. She currently serves as a Faculty Council Member for the school's National Honor Society and co-adviser for the Mock Trial Club.
Haruo brings 11 years of classroom experience teaching Marine Biology and Marine Biology Honors at Kennedy. She has advised the Ocean Guardian School program since 2022 and the Guardians of the Reef program since 2017, and previously represented Guam as a delegate in the Young Pacific Leaders program from 2019 to 2025.
Borja, an 8th grade Reading teacher with 20 years in education, coordinates the CLSD WeRead Literacy Program at Untalan Middle School. Her leadership experience spans more than a decade and includes roles as a school-based mentor, reading content representative and interdisciplinary team leader.
Each finalist will undergo classroom observations and comprehensive evaluations. The candidate with the highest overall score will be named the 2027 Guam Teacher of the Year.
GDOE also acknowledged the program's sponsors for their support in recognizing teachers across the island.