Ada is Hopwood’s outstanding teacher for the school year

 Carmelita P. Ada was hailed as Hopwood Junior High School’s Teacher of the Year for her exemplary performance and dedication to her craft.

Ada expressed surprise and elation as this was her first time to be selected for the honor. Ada joined the Public School System family in 2000 and has been teaching at Hopwood for 11 years already. She handles 7th and 8th graders.

Prior to becoming a teacher, this mother of four worked as a garment worker, an insurance agent, and a bank teller until her family inspired her to become a teacher.

Ada describes teaching as more challenging but at the same time the most fulfilling among her previous professions.

“Teaching for me is.the most fulfilling, not in terms of financ[es], but more on the gratitude that the children give. Sometimes you don’t get appreciated by others but when it comes from children, it feels like heaven,” she told Saipan Tribune. “I believe in the saying that the greatness of a teacher is best shown by the students.”

John Pialur, a PSS employee for 23 years now, was hailed as Hopwood’s Vice Principal of the Year-the latest of the string of awards he has garnered in all his years at Hopwood.

Pialur first served Tanapag Elementary School in 1990 and later joined Hopwood, first as a teacher aide and then as a P.E. instructor. He rose through the ranks and became the school’s vice principal in 2006. Pialur is a recipient of three Teacher Aide of the Year awards from Hopwood.

He thanked his colleagues yesterday for their vote of confidence, saying the honor would not have been possible without the effective collaboration, communication, and teamwork shown by everybody in Hopwood.

Hopwood, meanwhile, named Nelia Crisostomo as its Teacher Aide of the Year. She has been with the school for only two years, yet despite her relatively short tenure, she was chosen by her peers as this year’s awardee after demonstrating commitment and dedication to her job.

“This is truly unexpected and I am very happy and grateful that I was recognized for this honor,” she said.

Crisostomo is assigned to the special education program. She said she was motivated to serve this program as she has personal experience with the subject. She said she suffered from Rett syndrome when she was a child.

Hopwood bestowed its Support Staff of the Year award to Ruby DLC. Hocog, who has been with PSS for 11 years now. This is her fifth time to get this award and even won the overall PSS support staff award in 2009. She has also worked as administrative officer at Sinapalo Elementary School and Dandan Elementary School.

Despite performing multiple tasks each day-from time keeping and filing documents, to doing school errands, and assisting the administrators and teachers-Hocog said that there is no single minute that she feels bored with her job.

“I enjoy every single thing of my work and I help everyone beyond the call of duty,” she said.

Hopwood’s Counselor of the Year is Josiah Kyonka, who was first selected for the honor in 2010. He shared this recent recognition with his fellow counseling staff.

“I appreciate it. This is something I feel like I never earn alone. We’re working together for all our students,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Kyonka came to the islands in 2009 with his wife, who is also a counselor at Kagman High School.

Also honored yesterday was 73-year-old Purisimo Raganot, the school’s Maintenance of the Year awardee. Raganot has been with PSS for 19 years now, starting in 1992 as a maintenance worker at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School. He joined Hopwood in 2005. This is his fourth time to be selected for the honor.

“I am happy and grateful to PSS for making me part of its family,” he said yesterday.

Hopwood principal Jonas Barcinas lauded the achievements and contributions of all five outstanding employees. “They demonstrated excellence in performance and I commend them for their hard work and dedication to student learning.to students first,” said Barcinas.