Clearing the record on teacher’s grievance

This letter to the editor is in response to the interpretation of Mr. Donald Cohen, Tinian Jr. High School Teacher, who filed a grievance with CNMI PSS. I believe that the story printed on Oct. 28, 2005 was not researched properly.

My name is Mark Mendiola and I am a Social Studies teacher at Tinian High School. I am also the chair of the Social Studies department that Mr. Cohen is a member of. I am also the Mock Trial Coach for our high school team. I felt compelled to clear the record with regards to Mr. Cohen’s claims.

Mr. Cohen claims that he has substituted classes on 12 different occasions. However, he fails to also inform you that all teachers substitute classes. Furthermore, our principal and vice principals teach and substitute classes as well. We assist and work as a team. He too has taken off and other teachers have covered for his classes. I have personally substituted his classes on numerous occasions.

With regard to his claim that it was an impossible task to assist the Junior High Mock Trial Team in preparation for competition, that is a plain flat-out lie. Mr. Cohen volunteered to work with these students one month before the competition. Other students in the CNMI competed. Our students are very capable and willing to compete. I am appalled that he thinks that he was the only one involved in helping our students. He fails to mention that Mrs. Florine Hofschneider has offered her assistance to help. In addition, I have taken time to assist him in this endeavor. He had the support from the administration as well as myself. He had the support he just opted not to use it.

In regards to Mrs. Lucy Blanco Maratita’s assistance with the Junior High Mock Trial Team, it was through my invitation and not Mrs. Florine Hofschneider’s invitation that she assisted the team. She is also the attorney coach for our high school team. The high school team brought home four championship wins for Tinian High School. I believe she is a valuable community resource. In reference to political influence she has been a consistent volunteer for the past seven years. She has done nothing out of the ordinary because of her candidacy to the Public School System policy board. She has always exhibited a sincere effort in assisting our school all those years. She is a consistent individual when it come to assisting our students succeed. We should be grateful for her willingness to support and assist our only high school on Tinian. Before she decided to be a candidate, she was actively involved with Tinian High School.

For the record, I am not from Tinian, I am a contract teacher from Guam but I have made my home on Tinian. I am not related to either Mrs. Florine Hofschneider, or Mrs. Lucy Blanco-Maratita. I have worked with these individuals and I believe they have high standards and expectations with individuals who choose to work with them.

Mark B. Mendiola
Tinian Jr. & Sr. High School Teacher