Welcome to our class!

School Year 2021-2022

This is my fifth year teaching in Japan, therefore please allow me to introduce myself, and give you some information about my personal background and education.

I was born and raised on Guam. I married my husband, Steven Cruz, and have three children Nathaniel, 23, Ihyanna, 21, and Noah, 17. My husband recently retired after being in the Army for 21 years, and therefore gave me the privilege to have traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and the Pacific. Hopefully, I will be able to share some of these experiences with your child.

In 2004 I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington State with a B.A. in Education. I am certified and specialize in Reading and ESOL (primary and secondary schools). I began my career on Guam where I taught fifth grade. In 2006 my family PCSed to Germany, and I joined the Department of Defense School System in 2007, where I taught fourth, second and first grades in the Bavarian School District. Then in 2014, my family and I relocated to South Carolina where I was able to work in Richland School District One teaching third grade and DoDea Southeast District teaching first grade for two years. In 2017, I moved to Misawa, Japan, and I taught fourth and second grades. Now, I have the privilege of teaching Reading and ESL!

I look forward to incorporate a variety of techniques in the classroom that will allow your child to benefit from my experiences. As a teacher, I feel strongly toward an excellent quality of education for your child. I also feel a responsibility to continue expanding my qualifications to improve myself as an educator, thereby allowing me to better meet the needs of my students. As a result, I completed the Masters program at Walden University in Special Education the Summer of 2017. I continue to stay connected with the best practices of teaching and will never stop learning.

I welcome the challenges of the coming year, and I hope to have a meaningful and positive influence on your child. I look forward to working with you in the school year ahead.

Sincerely,

Charmaine Cruz

ESOL & Reading Specialist

Mendel Elementary School

email: Charmaine.cruz@dodea.edu