By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

CNMI Teacher of the Year Acelia Dela Cruz will fly to Dallas, Texas on Jan. 21 to attend a five-day event involving the nation’s other outstanding educators.
The trip is funded by the National Teacher of the Year program, and Dela Cruz is also scheduled to be in Washington in April for an appreciation party to be hosted by President Bush who will announce the national teacher of the year in the same event.
In July, Dela Cruz will join other U.S. teachers at the Space Camp in Alabama.
While on the mainland, Dela Cruz will share with other educators an outline of the local Public School System’s condition and its students’ learning and achievements.
Last year’s outstanding CNMI educator, Charlotte DLG. Camacho, said the teacher of the year gets to go on three off-island trips.
“But last year, we were given a bonus trip where we summarized elements of the program,” she said. “I hope the same bonus trip will be accorded this year to our teacher of the year,” she said, adding that it’s a good opportunity for local teachers to be exposed to national education activities.
“Learning to share what we have and knowing how to plan for what we need here for our students are among the many lessons and benefits that the CNMI can gain from these trips,” she said.
Since 2003, the CNMI teacher of the year has also been a recipient of a $17,000 technology package from the Smart Kid Foundation, a national program that helps funds event for outstanding teachers.
An educator at Tanapag Elementary School, Dela Cruz received a $1,000 cash prize from PSS and was recently awarded an additional $4,000 through a fundraising effort led by local businessman Bud White.