(PSS) — On Friday, April 25, the Public School System hosted a professional development workshop specifically tailored for vice principals from its elementary, middle, and high schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. This is part of the school district’s continuous learning and strengthening leadership initiative.
Organized by the school district’s Human Resource Office and Federal Programs Office, the workshop focused on key areas of school management and leadership. Sessions covered essential topics such as school finance, human resources, school law, and federal education updates to provide vice principals with needed tools to meet educational demands.
The vice principals also engaged in meaningful conversations with their peers, exchanging strategies and best practices. They talked about the importance of collaboration in addressing shared challenges and enhancing the effectiveness of school leadership.
The workshop underscored the balance that vice principals must maintain between their administrative responsibilities and their role as empathetic leaders.
Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna praised the vice principals for their hard work.
“Your patience with the people you work with, with us at the central office, and with the school community — from school administrators to classroom teachers, students, and parents — will never go unnoticed. Thank you for all your hard work,” said Magofna, a former school vice principal.
In honoring the vice principals, he quoted the late Pope Francis, who once said: “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself, and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is…life is good when you are happy, but much better when others are happy because of you.”
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho praised the vice principals for their perseverance and commitment. “Thank you for not giving up. You have all been there with us in our commitment to give our school community — especially our children — the best learning opportunities and our parents the support they need for their children to succeed. We thank you for making the life of PSS the way it is today.”
During the workshop, PSS Finance Director Arlene Lizama and Principal Jonathan Aguon gave a presentation on school finance; legal counsel Michael Ernest on school law; and Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline P. Che on federal education updates.
Mariah Barcinas Manglona and Christine Aldan of the Division of Youth Services-Child Protective Services talked about “Understanding, Preventing, and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect,” while Director David B. Maratita and his team discussed the Alcohol Beverage Tobacco Control Program and its partnership with the school district.
PSS’s Instructional Technology and Distance Education team, led by Director Lorraine Catienza, gave a presentation on interactive activities, while Commissioner of Education Dr. Camacho led the team-building activity.
Marianas High School counselor Kimberly Reyes Manglona was the emcee during the day-long activity.
Public school vice principals from 20 elementary, middle, and high schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota gathered on Friday for a professional development workshop. Joining them were Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Service Eric Magofna, PSS Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline P. Che, Finance and Budget Director Arlene Lizama, Human Resource Officer Lucretia B. Deleon Guerrero, Acting Special Education Program Nora Fujihira, among other education officials.
The presentation by PSS Director Arlene Lizama’s finance team, which included Principal Jonathan Aguon, and Human Resource Director Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, was designed to strengthen the vice principals’ understanding of school finance and human resources.
The vice principals received a thorough report from PSS Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline P. Che regarding federal programs and the U.S. Department of Education.
Legal counsel Michael Ernest discusses school law with vice principals.
Vice Principals Jonas Barcinas, Reo Arriola, and Romolo Orsini participate in one of the breakout sessions.
