Going against the brain drain: Velma Sablan鈥檚 30-year commitment to training Guam鈥檚 teachers
Going against the brain drain: Velma Sablan鈥檚 30-year commitment to training Guam鈥檚 teachers
Going against the brain drain: Velma Sablan鈥檚 30-year commitment to training Guam鈥檚 teachers
9/1/2021
When Velma Sablan was offered a position at Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital after finishing
her master鈥檚 degree at Harvard University, she recalled an important conversation
and opted to return home.
The conversation was about brain drain 鈥� the emigration of highly trained or intelligent
people from a particular country. A UOG administrator asked her whether she would
contribute to the brain drain in Guam or return home to strengthen higher education.
鈥淚 vowed I would never contribute to brain drain in Guam after leaving his office,鈥� Sablan said.
She kept that promise. After returning home in 1976, Sablan served more than 30 years at the 91快播, starting as in instructor and advancing to assistant professor, associate professor, and then full professor in 2008.
A passion for learning
One of Sablan鈥檚 greatest joys in her career was witnessing learning occur in the classroom.
鈥淢y students have been a big motivation and the very best part of being a professor,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen their verbal and non-verbal behaviors signal that real learning is occurring because of my guidance and support, it is an exhilarating feeling.鈥�
鈥淔rom learning about cognitive theories to learning how to be confident in my efforts, Dr. Sablan has always been a professor that has made me feel empowered,鈥� said UOG alumna Cameron Diaz. 鈥淪he has made learning meaningful and has lit a fire in the hearts of students who truly wish to become great teachers.鈥�
Even when a global pandemic forced everyone to shift to an online classroom, Sablan did not allow it to disrupt her lessons. In fact, she made sure her students were well-prepared for the new learning environment.
鈥淚 saw the commitment Dr. Sablan made to quickly learn how to shift our class online. She helped us to explore activities, resources, and strategies that could be done in an online classroom,鈥� said Mebric Navisaga, a 2020 graduate of UOG鈥檚 .
Sablan鈥檚 colleagues at the School of Education described her as passionate, committed, and a warrior for change. She was recognized for her commitment to the University and her effort to make a difference for the island.
鈥淒r. Velma Sablan has contributed to UOG and SOE in so many ways in the 30+ years she was at UOG and SOE,鈥� said Alicia Aguon, dean of UOG鈥檚 School of Education. 鈥淲e engaged in the commonalities we shared as professionals 鈥� and as CHamoru women in academia 鈥� to advance education across all levels at our university, our island, and in the region.鈥�
Beyond the classroom
In addition to her role as a professor, Sablan worked with the UOG Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Service, and Research (UOG CEDDERS), the Micronesian Language Institute, and served as director of the Western Pacific Special Education Consortium.
鈥淒r. Sablan was dedicated to fulfilling the CEDDERS mission of 鈥榠ncreasing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and their families,鈥欌�� said Joseph John Mendiola, former interoperability data manager at UOG CEDDERS. 鈥淪he worked collaboratively with partners and diligently sought to improve systems for each project she was part of.鈥�
Sablan was instrumental in developing database systems for the Guam and FSM Early Hearing Detection and Intervention programs, which support early hearing screening for the detection and intervention of hearing loss in children. Since the program鈥檚 launch in 2002, more than 50,000 newborns have been screened.
The value of higher education
Now retired, Sablan reflects back on her time at the University, saying there were many memories she cherished. One that stood out was when she was awarded the UOG Doctoral Fellowship under former President Wilfred Leon Guerrero and former Senior Vice President Robert Underwood.
鈥淢y parents could not afford to send me to the prestigious institutions I attended. UOG made that possible, and these gentlemen made it happen,鈥� she said.
She completed her Ph.D. in educational research from the joint doctoral program at San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University. And after returning to UOG, Sablan advised and mentored students up to the doctoral level of training.
鈥淢y greatest hope for all my students is for them to continue their pursuit in higher education so they can make significant contributions to our island,鈥� she said.
鈥楾he sky is the limit鈥�
Sablan is now taking some time to rest and recuperate.
鈥淚 want to enjoy 鈥� or am now enjoying 鈥� the little things you do with family and friends that bring so much joy to life,鈥� she said.
What does she plan to do next?
鈥淚 may write a book or two, serve on boards or commissions, or do other community work,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he sky is the limit.鈥�