Jonathan Aguon is named e-Teacher of the Year

Jonathan Aguon is joined by PSS Instructional Technology Program officials and staff after being presented with the E-Teacher of the Year award. (Contributed Photo)

Jonathan Aguon has been chosen by the Public School System’s e-teaching staff as the E-Teacher of the Year.

As part of his award, Aguon received a MacBook Air laptop and will participate in the 2019 International Society of Technology Educators Conference.  

Aguon, who has been an e-teacher for seven years, has taught a range of Language Arts courses, including British Literature, World Literature, and Advanced Placement Language & Composition. He has served as a member of the professional learning community of instructional technology and continues to serve as a lead member of the PSS Instructional Technology Program’s teaching staff.

Lorraine Catienza, Distance Education program manager, said: “Mr. Aguon is truly deserving of this award. He has been committed to the development of the program. He has not only been an excellent online instructor for his students throughout the years, but he has also been a teacher leader, supporting the growth and development of his colleagues.”

The PSS Instructional Technology Program oversees the operation of the Student E-learning Gateway, which offers online core curricular and elective high school courses for students across the CNMI, serving both public and private high schools.

The Student e-Learning Gateway is led by Dr. Bobby Cruz, director of Instructional Technology, and Catienza.

“Jon has been a part of our teaching team since the program’s exceptions,” Cruz said. “He had a direct hand creating the foundation as well as building it up. He is a wonderful critical thinker, learner, and collaborator. Instructional Technology is very fortunate to have Jon. His commitment to excellence, his passion for helping students learn, and his technology background.”

Dr. Yvonne Pangelinan, the associate commissioner of Student and Support Services, said: “It is truly refreshing to see professional like Mr. Aguon continue to hone his teaching craft and innovate PSS as a whole. Mr. Aguon is undoubtedly an asset to the system and to all the children we serve.”

Each year, the e-teaching staff of some of the best educators in the CNMI identifies one individual among their high performing troupe to serve as the E-Teacher of the Year. This individual exemplifies outstanding service to online teaching and learning. (PR)