(PSS) — Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and Human Resources Officer Lucretia B. Deleon Guerrero have announced the Public School System’s five finalists for the 2025 CNMI Teacher of the Year award.
They are Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School’s 2025 Teacher of the Year Patricia Jane DLG Muna; Oleai Elementary School Teacher of the Year Cristina Mae B. Ruiz; William S. Reyes Elementary School Teacher of the Year Yeji Lee; Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Teacher of the Year Marylyn Y. Tabuena; and Marianas High School Teacher of the Year Darlene P. Aldan.
PSS also honored 16 school-level outstanding educators from public elementary, middle and high schools as well as the Head Start/Early Head Start Program:
Patrick John M. Alepuyo of Garapan Elementary School; Ivan Jon D. Garces, Koblerville Elementary School; Marciliano Jose M. Castro, San Vicente Elementary School; Juvy M. Taitano, Kagman Elementary School; Chavelyn P. Epity, Tinian Elementary School; Emmylou A. Hocog, Sinapalo Elementary School; Gordon R. Salas Jr., Chacha Ocean View Middle School; Acelia B. Castro, Tanapag Middle School; Monica D. Pangelinan, Hopwood Middle School; Deana Sylveria P. Villgomez, Dandan Middle School; Regina C. Palacios, Tinian Middle School and High School; Sabrina Fran D. Calvo, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School; Joseph C. Weaver, Saipan Southern High School; Meena T. Benavente, Kagman High School; Joan Arlene T. Reyes, Da’ok Academy; and Joann T. Babauta, Head Start/Early Head Start Program.
Commissioner Camacho described them as “champions of public education.”
“The impact that our public school teachers have had on the lives of our students is something we keep hearing about,” he said. “They personally tell these stories, as do their parents, our school administrators and other stakeholders, as well as many members of the community, and these are stories we hear on a daily basis. These educators devote their lives to our students’ success,” Dr. Camacho said.
“Encouraging every child to reach their full potential by helping them recognize something within themselves, these educators and classroom teachers support the learning and success of our public school students,” he added. “These educators are sources of inspiration for us.”
Dr. Camacho added, “I am incredibly proud that our PSS is the home of committed and passionate champions of public education.”
PSS Human Resources Officer Deleon Guerrero said the five finalists were chosen from among the 25 outstanding educators of the school system.
Selecting the CNMI-wide PSS Teacher of the Year begins with each elementary, middle, high school, and Head Start/Early Head Start Program center choosing their respective teachers of the year through a competitive and rigorous process.
Each school submits their school-level winner to the Office of the Education Commissioner-Human Resources Office.
Based on a stringent and rigorous criteria, PSS-HRO identifies five finalists for the overall PSS Teacher of the Year award. A special committee comprised of representatives from all sectors of the community will select the CNMI-wide winner.
The PSS overall Teacher of the Year winner, and the 16 school-level 2025 Teachers of the Year will be honored during the Education Month Celebration of PSS in November.
The overall CNMI winner will compete for the National Teacher of the Year award
This year, PSS is also celebrating its 36th anniversary as an autonomous education system with the enactment of Public Law 6-10 or the Education Act of 1988.
