With previous teaching stops in Florida, San Diego, Washington, and Washington D.C., Barbara Gail Jacala-Whalen can say she has been all around for work.

 With over 20 years of teaching experience under her belt, Jacala-Whalen has experienced different types of demographics in her classroom. However, the English and critical thinking instructor has finds that teaching in her home island stands out from the rest. 

“Coming back home it’s different,” Jacala-Whalen says. “I always appreciate it, though. Because it’s something familiar, and the values between each location is different. There’s something to say about the sincerity of students here on Guam. The value system within the society is so much less egotistical. The group dynamics, there’s more community in the classroom and shared among students than there are in other places I’ve been.” 

Though she has been away for the past 20 years, Jacala-Whalen finds comfort in knowing that the values and culture in Guam remain the same. 

Jacala-Whalen is currently in her second year of instructing at the University of Guam.