PeaceBuilders Inc. commended her “exceptional and unselfish” efforts to build peace in the school, home and the community.
WSR counselor Rebecca Flores received the award in October while Hopwood Junior High School counselor Patty Aho Mendoza got it in June.
To understand what makes Villagomez such an effectual leader, PeaceBuilders Inc. said, “there is no stronger evidence than the praise of her staff, who admire her for her PeaceBuilders role-modeling.”
It added, “They appreciate that she always finds time to listen to their concerns, no matter how busy she is and that she offers her help to make sure the staff has all the information and resources they need.”
According to one teacher, “She cares for all of us. She is a dear friend.”
“A strong team can make an enormous difference in the climate and culture of any setting. But a strong team needs a dedicated leader. The woman we honor this month was nominated because of her effective, compassionate leadership skills,” PeaceBuilders Inc. said
It added that students, parents at WSR also appreciated and admired Villagomez for her peace building efforts and her expertise.
This year’s Student Council president praised her for always wearing a smile and for regularly recognizing students for their good acts.
When students fall short, make a mistake, or simply need a wise person, they know Villagomez is always available to assist them, PeaceBuilders Inc. said.
Rita Carreon, kindergarten teacher of San Antonio Elementary School, said Villagomez is “very outgoing, kind and helpful.”
The recognition of Villagomez, she said, will further inspire other schools to continue to contribute in creating a safer and more peaceful learning environment in schools.
The schools in Saipan that subscribed to the PeaceBuilder program are San Antonio, Koblerville, Dandan, Kagman Elementary, WSR and Hopwood.
In an interview, Flores said other schools have their MegaSkills and Virtue program which aim at building achievement, developing within each student confidence, motivation, effort, responsibility, initiative, perseverance, caring, teamwork, common sense, and problem solving skills.
Flores said achieving a peaceful community is not remote if everybody will “consistently” adhere to the principles of the PeaceBuilders, MegaSkill and Virtue programs.
The students, parents and teachers should be a role model in the community, she added.
Flores said since they adopted PeaceBuilders in 2005, Villagomez has been its strong advocate.
Villagomez, she added, endorsed and facilitated events at the school and outside to promote PeaceBuilders.
Villagomez is the second principal recognized as PeaceBuilder of the month.
The first was Mario Gonzales of California’s Cogswell Elementary School in Jan. 2009.
