CNMI teachers of the year honored

For the first time ever, the Public School System held an appreciation dinner for this year’s outstanding public school teachers in the CNMI, both in elementary and high school.

The event was held Thursday afternoon at the Azucena 1 and 2 of the Fiesta Resort & Spa. Teacher of the Year coordinator and assistant Human Resource officer Ramon DLG. Diaz Jr. said that, as far as he is aware of, the event was a first in the CNMI.

Diaz said the dinner event focused on giving attention to the Teachers of the Year. Unlike Education Day, when these teachers were presented and honored in November last year, this appreciation dinner “singled the awardees out and is a specific event for the teachers of the year,” he said.

In his brief speech during the event, Diaz assured the teachers that PSS fully supports them, their needs, and their welfare.

“You make a difference and because of that you have the full support of the board,” he said.

The appreciation dinner was conceived at the suggestion of Board of Education board member Herman T. Guerrero, said Diaz.

BOE treasurer and secretary Marja Lee Taitano gave a congratulatory speech on behalf of BOE chair Roman C. Benavente. Retiring Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos was also present to congratulate the teacher awardees.

House Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua and the 2006 CNMI State Teacher of the Year from GTC Elementary School, Charlotte DLG. Camacho, also spoke during the event. Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola, Senate Vice President Pete P. Reyes and House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta were also present.

Those honored during the event were 2006 Teachers of the Year for Oleai Elementary School Teresita A. Reyes, Dan Dan Elementary School’s Merced Q. Deleon Guerrero, Garapan Elementary School’s Paulette M. Tomokane, Sinapalo Elementary School’s Eteris A. Calvo, Tanapag Elementary School’s Linda Anastacio, Tinian Elementary School’s Therese Acosta, William S. Reyes Elementary School’s Divina Dela Cruz, San Antonio Elementary School’s Hilda Rios, San Vicente Elementary School’s Betty Miller, Kagman Elementary School’s Johanna Lee D. Taimanao, and Koblerville Elementary School’s Joe Etpison.

For junior high or middle schools, the Teachers of the Year were, from Hopwood Junior High School Christine Halloran, Chacha Oceanview Junior High School Yolanda Benavente, and Rota Junior High School Melvin Finona.

Teachers of the Year for high schools were Marianas High School Harold Easton, Saipan Southern High School William Dewitt, Kagman High School Terrence Thornburgh, Tinian Junior/High School Edward Temegil and former Rota High School teacher Anabelle Atalig.