Bonny Cruz is CNMI TOY

Bonny Cruz, a 5th-grade teacher at Koblerville Elementary School who has been with the Public School System for over six years, was named yesterday as the 2021 State Teacher of the Year.

Cruz was recognized as the 2021 CNMI PSS State Teacher of the Year, with members of the Board of Education and PSS blindsiding her with the recognition at the BOE board meeting yesterday.

As State Teacher of the Year, Cruz will compete at a national level. Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Ada said that this will be the second year that the CNMI PSS will compete at the state level.

Part of the honor accorded to state teachers of the year is meeting the U.S. President at the White House and getting together with other teachers of the year for training and seminars in the U.S. mainland.

As part of her prize, Cruz was awarded an iPad, a technology packet that will help her with remote learning, and a professional plaque that will be passed down to the next TOY.

Bonny Cruz, left, a 5th-grade teacher at Koblerville Elementary School and 2021 State Teacher of the Year, poses with her mom, Patty Cruz, yesterday at the Public School System administration building on Capital Hill.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Cruz thanked her family, her students and their families, and those who were present at the meeting who took time out to get to know her and her passion for the education.

Ada said this year’s TOY celebration came down to a choice among the Teacher of the Year of Marianas High School, the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Hopwood Middle School, Oleai Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School, and San Vicente Elementary School, who were all present at yesterday’s BOE meeting.

“All of you are standing there in front of us are our true leaders, especially during this pandemic, and this economic downfall and what we’re experiencing within the CNMI as well as the Public School System,” said BOE chair Janice Tenorio. She applauded the finalists for the TOY award for working hard toward getting the schools ready for online learning.

Galvin Deleon Guerrero, who is president of Mount Carmel School and represents private schools on the PSS board, and was a member of this year’s TOY committee, said that every nominee deserves the recognition, knowing how rigorous and difficult it is to be a teacher during this pandemic. “Through all the financial challenges, teachers have kept their heads above the fray and just stayed focused and truly inspired all of us,” he said. “The entire community thanks you so much and congratulations and keep fighting this fight, and know that we are with you.”