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A show of billboard love for David Borja
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Posted on Jun 10 2008
Several staff from the Public School System got together and showed their appreciation for Education Commissioner Dr. David Borja via a billboard sign at the Marianas Visitors Authority.
The group came up with the billboard after news got out that the Board of Education had asked Borja to either resign or be fired.
Sharleen Crisostimo, a teacher at the Hopwood Junior High School and CNMI Teen Talk adviser, said she felt really sad when the BOE decided to let Borja go.
Crisostimo has been a teacher for eight years and is the chair of various departments in the school. She was named HJHS Teacher of the Year twice and was twice recognized in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
“I am many things because I have been inspired by a great commissioner,” Crisostimo said.
According to her, Borja was her first school principal. “He came in after a chaotic year (1999-2000). The community labeled my school as an unsafe school that was not conducive for learning. Dr. Borja stepped up and took over a school that many gave up on.”
She described him as a risk taker who led his teachers with zeal. “He spoke of the paradigm shift in what teachers are teaching to being student centered. Immediately, all the negativity I heard disappeared.”
As a deputy commissioner and commissioner, Crisostimo said Borja was very visible and active.
“He visits school classrooms, walks around the campus, eats with students. My students in school and in Teen Talk know him. Parents know him. He attends learning community meetings, parent workshops, teacher workshops, and student workshops. At these student-centered activities, he doesn’t ask for acknowledgement. In fact, he observes, takes notes and shares his thoughts and words of encouragement. He is enthusiastic and optimistic when he talks about our kids,” said Crisostimo.
Last week, the BOE requested Borja to resign as the COE. Borja said he was about ready to retire anyway and has expressed interest in being a teacher again.
