It's all hands on deck for the Guam Department of Education as the countdown to the new school year continues.

On Monday, nearly 1,700 GDOE employees packed the UOG Calvo Field House for Professional Development Day, a chance to reconnect, collaborate, and gear up for the year ahead.

“My focus is on building a collaborative environment and supporting each other. The first thing we do is get the people involved together to do that and have conversations with each other. And yes, it’s kind of like a pep rally–but it needs to be–because I want them to go into the classroom excited and happy to be there,” said GDOE Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson. 

Dr. Swanson says Monday's gathering wasn’t just about prep, but also reflection.

It was just last year, during this same event, when 18 GDOE campuses were expected to keep their doors closed due to pending public health inspections.

“I started with look what we’ve done and the distance we’ve come in that space of time. Is it the goal line? No. We don’t spike the ball on the 40-yard line. We still got a lot of work to do. But, I want everybody to know and understand and be encouraged by the fact that they’ve made great progress,” said Swanson. 

And that progress continues, Maria Ulloa Elementary School Principal, Dr. Jim Reyes on the benefits of the training.

“I think this is a good thing–because it allows for–granted, we’re separated into two groups: elementary and secondary–but it provides an opportunity for all of us to come together,” said Dr. Reyes. “And then it allows everyone to see the data–whether you’re a teacher or a school aide–but, it allows us to see our student data as a whole–so that we can work collaboratively to improve that data, improve our student performance–because it’s not just about what happens inside the classroom, but also, outside in the hallways.”

The “all hands on” training continues Tuesday with the remaining half of GDOE.

And come Aug. 7, classrooms across the island officially open, marking the start of the school year.