Phillips named Teacher of the Year

Marianas High School teacher James Phillips was named the Public School System’s Teacher of the Year, capping yesterday’s whole-day celebration of Education Day at Hopwood Junior High School.

Marianas High School staff member Patty Aguon-Cruz was named Support Staff of the Year, while Rosa Sablan, of Kagman Elementary, was named Teacher Aide of the Year.

All three received plaques and money, as well as resolutions in their honor.

MHS principal Karen Borja said she is happy that both Phillips and Aguon-Cruz were awarded the top prizes.

“There’s a lot of great faculty and staff,” she said. “This will boost morale.”

Phillips was named the TOY after an application process and classroom observation. Since 2004-2005, he has taught marine science, honors astronomy and Advanced Placement physics at MHS. He holds a Master of Science Degree and is a staff instructor for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. He recently developed a marine science course for students to earn open water certification while conducting their own underwater marine research.

Sablan has been a teacher aide for KES’s special education department for the last five years. Prior to that she worked with special education students at San Antonio Elementary. She currently is taking classes at Northern Marianas College to earn certification as a related services technician.

Aguon-Cruz is MHS’s librarian aide II.

Business managers, NMC education officials and a community member selected the winners.

Hundreds of Public School System employees showed their dancing skills yesterday at the annual Education Day celebration.

The event was a chance for PSS teachers and staff to get together and honor each other. Each school choreographed and performed a dance, some wearing togas or grass skirts and wigs.

During each dance the school’s respective nominees for Teacher of the Year, Teacher Aide of the Year, and Support Staff of the Year were announced.

“It’s a good chance for all the teachers to see each other,” said Megan Nevitt, a 6th grade teacher at Garapan Elementary.

Felix Mresbang, a World History teacher at Marianas High School, said the day is a way to acknowledge the work teachers and staff members do on a daily basis.

“It gives them the motivation to do their best everyday,” he said.

Like any organization it’s important to take the time to recognize employees, education commissioner Rita Sablan said.

“It gives them motivation and a sense of personal belonging,” she said. “Taking that time is crucial, especially when everyone is so busy. Taking one day to recognize the employees is just a wonderful experience.”

Board of Education members, Saipan mayor Juan Tudela, Northern Marianas College president Carmen Fernandez, members of Youth Congress and the Legislature also were in attendance.

The event culminated with the naming of the System-wide Teacher of the Year, Teacher Aide of the Year and Support Staff of the Year.

After the performances and announcements were complete, participants gathered together to eat a Thanksgiving meal.