From Baguio to Harvard: The Inspirational Educational Journey of Maynard Victor Erece
Born in Baguio City and raised in New Lucban, Maynard grew up in a large, accomplished family that shaped his pursuit of excellence. Coming from a lineage of professors, lawyers, engineers, and educators, he was immersed in an environment where intellectual curiosity and academic achievement were deeply valued. This strong familial foundation, combined with the influence of his parents-his father, the late prosecutor Victorio Lachica Erece, and his mother, Eleanor Minano Erece, a dedicated teacher-instilled in him a lifelong commitment to education and service.
He is married to Dr. Josephine Ana Borja, also a Baguio resident, originally from Pacdal. Together, they have fostered an environment of excellence and dedication to education. Dr. Josephine Ana Borja-Erece, a committed medical doctor in her own right, shares her husband's passion for nurturing gifted and talented education, making a profound impact on their community and their family.
In a professional career spans decades across multiple countries, Maynard has held leadership and teaching roles dedicated to academic excellence, STEM education, and the development of gifted and talented students. Currently serving as the Academic Excellence Coordinator at Clairvaux MacKillop College in Brisbane, he also holds the role of STEM Coordinator, guiding innovative science and mathematics programs. For over two decades, he has been a fostering a strong foundation for future scientists and engineers.
Prior to his current tenure in Brisbane Australia, he was the Senior School Dean at St. John's College in Hamilton, New Zealand, where he played a pivotal role in curriculum development and student mentorship. His leadership extended to serving as a Correspondence School Coordinator, ensuring accessible education for students with diverse learning needs.
Maynard's extensive contributions to the academic and professional fields are evident through his global engagements. He has organized and participated in seminars, presentations, forums, and program development initiatives worldwide, focusing on gifted and talented education. Notably, he presented at the 22nd Biennial World Council for Gifted and Talented Children's Conference at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, in July 2017 where he shared insights into raising exceptionally gifted children, drawing from his experiences with his son, Jozef.
In 2019, alongside his daughter, Maynah Borja-Erece, and wife, Dr. Josephine Ana Borja-Erece, he presented at the 23rd World Council for Gifted and Talented Children World Conference at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Their session, "Yes, Dad. I Can Hear You, I'm Choosing to Ignore You," explored the complexities of nurturing twice-exceptional children-those who are both gifted and have learning differences.
His contributions to education and gifted education have earned him numerous accolades, including being awarded the Doctor of Science, honoris causa, in 2019 in the USA, in recognition of his work in educational framework and design for gifted and talented students. Additionally, he was nominated as South Waikato's Most Valuable Basketball Coach by the Hillary Sports Commission in New Zealand, highlighting his influence beyond the classroom.
An accomplished author, he has published numerous educational resources for teaching the Australian curriculum on subjects such as particle physics, organic chemistry, biotechnology, and evolutionary biology, which continue to benefit students and educators in Australia.
His legacy is reflected in his mentorship of high achievers. His son, Jozef Maynard Borja-Erece, became Australia's youngest law graduate at 18 and the youngest licensed lawyer in world history. A Cambridge-educated barrister, he passed three international Bar exams-New York, England & Wales, and Queensland-within a single year, an unparalleled feat. In 2023, he co-authored Three Worlds, a historical fiction novel, before being called as a barrister in Australia and the UK. His daughter, Maynah Borja-Erece, is a first-class honors scholar at ANU, a distinguished artist, and a community leader. Currently completing her Master's degree, she has excelled in advocacy for gifted education, cultural event coordination, and the performing arts.
Through his unwavering dedication, exemplary achievements, and lifelong commitment to education, Dr. Erece continues to inspire and shape the future of education, leaving a lasting impact on both his students and the broader academic community.
