Two public school principals leave their posts

Tinian High School principal Julian Hofschneider and Tanapag Elementary School principal Jessica Barcinas-Taylor confirmed with the Saipan Tribune their decision to leave the system.

Hofschneider retired from service effective June 13 while Barcinas-Taylor quit her job effective June 29 for personal reasons. The two are among the longest serving employees of the system.

Hofschneider has been with public schools for 20 years since 1992. He obtained both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while teaching in public schools. From being a teacher aide for about five years on Tinian, Hofschneider eventually became a regular classroom teacher in 1997. He was assigned to Saipan schools before going back to Tinian and serving as Tinian High School vice principal. After a few years, Hofschneider became the principal of Tinian Elementary School just before he was named the new Tinian High School principal in March 2010 until his retirement.

He described the teaching profession yesterday as “the most fulfilling career” anyone can have. He commended the system for giving its employees, like him, opportunities to grow and succeed.

He cited among his legacies at Tinian Elementary School the gradual but steady increase of SAT-10 results, where some classes actually reached the 50th percentile.

“In my short time at the high school, I focused on the students’ school pride. My philosophy is that the only way to make students successful in school is to make them feel welcome and appreciated,” he said.

Besides the academic aspect, he also initiated the school’s athletic program three years ago.

As for his staff, Hofschneider said he gave more opportunities for teachers and staff members to give inputs on many of the school’s decision-making. The school also created a more collaborative effort and teamwork with Tinian Elementary School.

Among the many successes of Tinian High School are ranking the highest in the CNMI in the SAT-10 test, with both 9th and 11th grade reaching at least 50th percentile. In school year 2010-2011, Hofschneider was commended by the Board of Education for bringing Tinian High School to the top in the SAT-10 exams. Its JROTC Stallion Battalion is now in George Mason University for the National Competition in the Junior Leadership and Academic Bowl. Its delegates have had great success in the Chamorro competition in Guam, winning four years in a row for the female singing category and three years for the play. Two years ago, one of its seniors garnered the STEM Fair overall win, which took her to Los Angeles for a national STEM Fair.

Hofschneider hopes that efforts to further expand and improve the system’s career technical education program will continue in the years ahead.

A tough decision

Tanapag Elementary’s Barcinas-Taylor shared that her exit from the system is due to personal reasons.

Barcinas-Taylor has been working for public schools for 14 years since 1998. She held the following posts in these many years-classroom teacher, school counselor, vice principal, and program manager. Last school year, she was appointed school principal for Tanapag Elementary.

She will officially leave her position on June 29.

Barcinas-Taylor said she has learned a lot from her many years with the system and described those years as a great experience. She said she’s leaving the system with a heavy heart and thank PSS for its support and understanding. Calling herself a passionate educator, she hinted of going back to public schools in the future.