Mount Carmel celebrates Catholic Schools Week

Mount Carmel School, the only Catholic school on Saipan, held  an appreciation program yesterday to recognize the   contributions of its faculty and staff as part of Catholic Schools  Week celebration from Jan. 29 to Feb. 3.

Students trooped to the school’s gymnasium where the faculty and staff were presented with certificates and leis.

They are Delfina Muna, Ma. Zita Sablan, Shirley Duenas, Carmen Agulto, Ariadne Snodgrass, Naomi Ada, Frances Taimanao, Vicky Borja, Candida Bahillo, Teresita Zulaybar, Francis San Nicolas, Rosiky Camacho, Luz Baldazo, Filmah Buenaflor, Lourdes Mendiola, Bobby Baldazo, Manny Borja, Galvin Deleon Guerrero, Celso Magbanua, Danilo Chan, Marilou Carlos, Joe Quitugua, Fermina Benavente, Tobed Smith, Louise Concepcion, and Margaret Dela Cruz.

Title I Program instructors and coordinators who were also recognized are Joaquina Salas, Elia Dleon Guerrero, Sapuro Rayphand, Francisco Tomokane, Anicia Cabrera, Justo Quitugua, Tina Uchel, Juan Babauta, and Susan Babauta.

Perfect Attendance Awards covering the period from Aug. 11, 2011, to Jan. 10, 2012, were given out to Carmen Agulto, Candida Bahillo, Luz Baldazo, Marilou Carlos, Delfina Muna, Ariadne Snodgrass, and Teresita Zulaybar.

Years in Service Awards were also bestowed on Frances Taimanao (five years and 5 months); Luz Baldazo (10 years and 3 months); and Fermina Benavente(10 years and 6 months).

CNMI Public School System Teacher of the Year awardee Jonathan Cabrera, who was yesterday’s keynote speaker, said that a good teacher is someone who knows their materials, is prepared, always looking for opportunities to grow, is aware that some days don’t work out the way they want, and cares for students.

Cabrera said that all teachers are given the gift “to change the lives of students.” “Keep teaching, keep growing, and keep going. Our children need you. We need you.”

Yesterday’s event was also an opportunity to announce the winner of the school’s 2012 Teacher of the Year Award. That honor was presented to first grade teacher Delfina Muña, who was presented with a plaque, flowers, and $2,000 cash incentive.

The first finalist for the award was computer teacher Filmah Buenaflor, who got a $1,000 cash incentive and a plaque, while the second finalist was second grade teacher Zita Sablan, who got a plaque and $700.

School president Margaret dela Cruz said that a panel of three judges evaluated the three nominees.

“Here at Mount Carmel School, we really honor all of our teachers and staff. The compensation they get is very minimal so they’re really here for their ministry, for their dedication to their teaching and not for the money. We take one day out of the entire week to thank all of them for a job well done and for their commitment and dedication to Mount Carmel School,” said Dela Cruz.

She described Muna, the Teacher of the Year awardee, as “very soft-spoken, very kind but firm.”

“When she’s in the classroom, she means business. She doesn’t take no for an answer and always communicates with parents whenever there is even the slightest issue in her classroom. Definitely, the award that she received today is well-deserved,” she told Saipan Tribune.

Dela Cruz called on all Mount Carmel students to “continue to celebrate their Catholic identity.”

“I always encourage them that whatever they do, being a student here at Mount Carmel Student is a 24/7 thing with them and even if out of school, they are representatives of Mount Carmel School,” she said.

Bobby Baldazo, faculty & staff appreciation committee chair, thanked City Parking Company and Design Florist for sponsoring the event.

The school’s Catholic Schools Week celebration will culminate with a Family Night and Distinguished Graduate Award Ceremony on Friday.