TES’ Acelia Dela Cruz wins TOY plum

A fifth grade Tanapag Elementary School teacher who happens to be a sister of a former CNMI Teacher of the Year was selected as this year’s Teacher of the Year, capping the four-hour Education Day celebration yesterday at the Hopwood Junior High School amphitheater.

Tanapag Elementary School 5th grade teacher Acelia Dela Cruz won the award from among 21 Public School System teachers who were Teachers of the Year at their respective schools.

Dela Cruz is the second in her family to be chosen for the top honor among teachers. Her sister, Lavena, was also named Teacher of the Year in 2004. Dela Cruz has been with the Tanapag school for three years now.

“I’m very happy! I owe it all to my colleagues. I’d have to thank our principal, Frances Ulloa, my husband and my children,” she said.

Dela Cruz was mobbed by her colleagues at TES, who dashed to her side to give her congratulatory hugs, soon after being given the award. Dela Cruz’ 14-year-old daughter, C.J., and mother Rita, also went up to congratulate Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz said she wasn’t expecting the recognition because all Teachers of the Year from the 21 schools were all deserving to win.

“But I look forward to representing the CNMI,” she added.

TOY coordinator and PSS HR officer Ramon Diaz announced during the presentation dinner, held Tuesday night at the Pacific Islands Club, that funding for the trip of the CNMI TOY and coordinators have already been secured by the federal agency handling the teachers’ conference in the U.S.

Education Commissioner David M. Borja, who was one of the judges in this year’s selection, said Dela Cruz showed exemplary credentials to be the Teacher of the Year. He said she has the quality that other CNMI teachers should emulate in serving the children of the islands.

Dela Cruz advised her fellow teachers not to give up, “To hang in there. We are all teachers of the year.”

Teacher-Aide and Support Staff of the Year

Oleai Elementary School’s Geraldine Songao was declared the Teacher-Aide of the Year while Dandan Elementary School’s Abel Valenzuela bagged the Support Staff of the Year plum.

Songao was selected among 20 other Teacher-Aides working for PSS. She has been with OES for two years now and she has been working with students with special needs. She is currently the only teacher-aide that can communicate with special students using American Sign Language.

Valenzuela won the hearts of the judges for being “the man” at DES. “If you want your school to be ready for the day’s operation, gates are open at 6:30am, school bell is set, the campus is free from trash, the restroom are spick and span, then Mr. Abel is there to make sure that everything is taken care of,” PSS said about him.

A festive event

Yesterday’s Education Day gathered all 506 public school teachers in the CNMI at the Hopwood Junior High School Amphitheater. It was a huge celebration where each school had to showcase a presentation.

Highlights of the presentation include the “Kung Fu Fighting” dance routine of the Koblerville Elementary School, with the teachers donning costumes that were popularized by pop icon Madonna. The teachers danced to Madonna’s music while KES Teacher-Aide of the Year Martin Mettao danced ala Bruce Lee.

GTC’s NASA-themed presentation was inspired by principal and 2005 Teacher of the Year Charlotte Camacho’s trip to the Space Camp in Alabama. Some schools presented dance numbers to the tune of pop songs.

Board of Education members and officers, led by Roman C. Benavente, Marja Lee Taitano, Dino Jones, Ambrose Bennett, and Scott Norman, with PSS officials Richard Waldo, Jackie Quitugua, Charlie Kenty, Diaz, and Tim Thornburgh, attended the event. Reps. Absalon Waki and Benjamin Seman, and Sen. Pete Reyes were also present.

Rose Ajoste and Chris Cabrera once again were the emcees during yesterday’s event.