Barcinas offers support for next teacher of the year

Kagman Elementary School teacher Jonas M. Barcinas journeyed across America during the past 12 months to fulfill his duties as CNMI 2000 Teacher of the Year, an experience that has opened his eyes to other educational possibilities for the Northern Marianas.

But Mr. Barcinas, who concludes today his year-long stint as 2000 teacher of the year, insists that his journey is far from over.

The 35-year-old educator has vowed to work closely with the next teacher of the year in the realization of programs that he started, as well as offer support for the individual fated to become the 2001 teacher of the year.

The Public School System will choose today from among a slate of teacher nominees vying for the prestigious Teacher of the Year title.

“One of my most memorable moments being teacher of the year was learning to explore and expose myself in the educational field and be able to share my knowledge and expertise with new and veteran teachers in terms of helping children reach success in life,” said Mr. Barcinas.

From the island of Rota, Mr. Barcinas at 35 is so far the youngest teacher to win the title. He represented the Northern Marianas in the search for the National Teacher of the Year last January in Dallas, Texas, where he came across 54 of the most admired teachers in the whole United States.

“Being an ambassador for the CNMI public school is a great honor. It’s a once in a lifetime experience worth cherishing,” he said.

During the past year, he has traveled to Rota, Tinian, Saipan, Palau, Alabama, and Washington D.C. to attend teacher of the year functions.

To the next teacher of the year, Mr. Barcinas pledged to extend full support in his or her efforts into becoming an effective and excellent role model to school children.

In order to adequately fulfill teacher of the year duties, Mr. Barcinas, has proposed that PSS devise of a measure that would ease the chosen teacher’s classroom responsibilities while serving his or her term.

Mr. Barcinas has floated the idea of allowing teachers of the year to go under sabbatical leave to afford them more time to focus on their responsibilities as advocates of education.

He also appealed to education leaders to consider the teacher of the year as the official teacher representative in the Board of Education, to finally end the confusion on who should represent all CNMI teachers.