Who will be the 2006 Teacher of the Year?

Twenty-one Public School System teachers and 20 teacher-aides are vying for this year’s Teacher and Teacher-Aide of the Year plums.

The 21 teachers and 20 teacher-aides from elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools, together with 27 nominees for the Support Staff of the Year, were presented during the appreciation night held yesterday at the Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret.

The 21 PSS teachers vying for this year’s recognition are: Dandan Elementary School’s Lyzandra Barcinas; Sadaria Ngewaki, Garapan Elementary School; Ryan Mortensen, GTC Elementary School; Dorothy Santos, Kagman Elementary School; Rizalina Purugganan, Koblerville Elementary School; Carla A. Sablan, Oleai Elementary School; Fatima B. Lizama, San Antonio Elementary School; Jaime Vergara, San Vicente Elementary School; Connie Faye Maratita, Sinapalo Elementary School; Acelia Dela Cruz, Tanapag Elementary School; Dionne B. Santos, Tinian Elementary School; and Stacy Marie San Nicolas, William S. Reyes Elementary School.

The nominees from the junior high schools are: Michael Villagomez, Chacha Oceanview Junior High School; Christine Masga, Hopwood Junior High School; Maria Sablan, Rota Jr. High School; and, John Sutfin, Tinian Jr. High School.

From the high schools: Fred Reiman, Kagman High School; Tyce Mister, Marianas High School; Elizabeth Manibusan, Rota High School; and Joseph Weaver, Saipan Southern High School. Head Start Program teacher Thelma Marie A. Farley completes the list.

The nominees for the Teacher-Aide of the Year are: Zinna Agulto, DES; Eric Larson, GES; Rose Taimanao, GTC; Joaquina DLG. Chong, KagES; Martin Mettao, KES; Geraldine Songgao, OES; Virginia Richards, SAES; Liza Blesoch, SVES; Mack E. James, SES; Monica Sanchez, TES; and Brandon Concepcion, WSR.

For junior high school: Vince Tagabuel, COJHS; Christine Sablan, HJHS; Concepcion Ulloa, RJHS; and Jovita Paulino, TJHS.

The teacher-aide nominees for high school are: Lana Lyn Fitial, KHS; Pisan Peter, MHS; Evelyn Quinata, RHS; and, Marla Sablan, SSHS. Head Start teacher-aide Ivan Garces also vies for the title.

During the presentation dinner, House Speaker Oscar Babauta and Vice Speaker Justo Quitugua presented three commemorative resolutions to honor all the nominees in each category. Quitugua said he was also happy to learn that the PSS support staff members are not neglected in the yearly celebration.

The nominees for the Support Staff of the Year are: Abel Valenzuela, DES; Wonda Rubasch, GES; Ariel Narvaez, GTC; Michael Muna, KagES; Evelyn Padua, KES; Edward Suzuki, OES; Wendina Sikyang, SAES; Marsha Arriola, SVES; Ruby DLC. Hocog, SES, Victor Linan, TES; and Stanley Limes, WSR.

From junior high schools, the nominees are: Ignacio Celis, COJHS; Elizabeth Lizama, HJHS; Roque Santos, RJHS; and, Jose Terrobias, THS.

From the high schools: Bernadita Babauta KHS; Laurel Humio, MHS; Rudolfo Jacob, RHS; and, Kevin Babauta, SSHS. Head Start support staff Ana Ada joins the list.

The PSS Central Office support staff members are also recognized this year. The nominees are: Julie Manibusan, Alicia Manglona, Evelyn Mungmitin, Annie Mendiola, Jacinta Kapileo, and Julie Sarich.

The overall winners this year will be announced today during the half-day Education Day to be held at the Hopwood field.

Last year’s Teacher of the Year, Charlotte Camacho, who is now the GTC principal, presented some photos and notes during her term as the CNMI’s Teacher of the Year. She shared with PSS employees and guests her “memorable and wonderful” experiences, especially when she rubbed elbows with President Bush and first lady Laura Bush during their presentation at the White House.

Education Commissioner David M. Borja provided brief remarks during the event yesterday. Board of Education officers Roman C. Benavente, Marja Lee Taitano and Dino Jones, as well as other PSS officials, were also present.