A celebration honoring educators

Educators in the public sector gathered yesterday at Garapan Elementary School for a system-wide affair that hailed the achievements of public school teachers, staff, and aides in celebration of the 2000 CNMI Education Day.

The fun-filled event brought out the lighter and less inhibited side to CNMI educators as they let their hair down for one whole day after a year round of formal classroom teaching.

The program’s keynote speaker, Rep. Brigida Dlg. Ichihara, encouraged teachers to continue to set high standards of performance for students.

A former public school teacher herself, the congresswoman stated that teachers must take the lead in providing better learning environments to make learning more practical and meaningful to students.

“Educators must continue to seek ways in improving the entire school system if they see a need to. The teaching profession is a very hard and demanding job. It takes dedication, commitment, love of people, patience, honesty, high self-confidence, adaptability to different situations, a broad field of experience, ability to communicate effectively, and simply knowing the art of teaching for a person to succeed in this field,” Ms. Ichihara said.

The legislator’s keynote address also recognized the efforts of PSS teachers, support staff, and central office for their untiring support and dedication to the education of the children of the Northern Marianas.

The search for the 2001 Teacher of the Year ended yesterday when the selection panel proclaimed 4th grade Koblerville Elementary School teacher Anna C. Baer as the winner among 16 other nominees, succeeding Kagman Elementary School teacher Jonas Barcinas.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Baer expressed gratitude to individuals who believed she deserved the award. “The thought of being designated as CNMI Teacher of the Year is a humbling experience for it carries with it immense responsibilities. I promise you I will do my best to live up to the trust you have shown me,” said the educator.

Ms. Baer vowed to double her teaching efforts while at the same time challenged her fellow teachers, administrators, support staff, and policy makers to make PSS work for CNMI’s children.

Teachers of the Year who vied for this year’s most prestigious teacher award included Vivian T. Sablan of Oleai Elementary School, Lavena Babauta of Kagman Elementary School, Joseph Carothers of Marianas High School, Martin Daisaso of Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Juana Ngiraidong of Tanapag Elementary School, Stacey Renwick of San Vicente Elementary School, Martha Kintol of Dan Dan Elem. School, Susan Rose Riva-Babauta of Garapan Elem. School, Lynette Villagomez of WSR Elem. School, Eric Dlg. Evangelista of San Antonio Elem. School, Daisy Frances Atalig of Rota Elem. School, Tita A. Hocog of Rota Junior High School, William Parson of Rota High School, Evelyn Perez of Tinian Elem. and Junior High School, Corazon T. Cepeda of TInian High School, and Ambrose Bennet of Hopwood Junior High School.

Support Staff of the Year awards were also handed out to Jesus Wabol, Jesus Taitano, Edward Quintana, Leonora A. Castro, Cynthia Babauta, Medina Cabrera, Felix Elameto, Bienvenido Guiao, Estanley Limes, Wendina Sikyang, Lydia O. Taisacan, Nestor Jingco, Nancy Renguul, Mike Cody, Joseph A. Santos, and Evonne Camacho.

Likewise, teacher aides Esther Seman, Kidean Peter, Veronica Camacho, Rosita Crisostomo, Tom Thornburgh, Evelyn Camacho, Eric Larson, Cindy Laniyo, Virginia Q. Richards, Eloise Manglona, Roque P. San Nicolas, Mona Elisa Teregeyo, Celina Castro, Rose S. Lazaro, Eleanor Agulto Aguon, and Lillyner C. Anson were also honored for their exemplary performance as teacher assistants.