BOE’s conference room was vibrant with emotion as each principal stood up to introduce his or her school’s teacher of the year and briefly explained why he or she was chosen to receive the title.
Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School principal Charlotte Camacho said they chose Raena Bermudes because of her unique and effective way of teaching children.
“Ms. Raena just loves working with the kids. She provides genuine care of the kids while nurturing them to discover the path to unlocking their potentials. If you ask any of her students, the first thing they will say is ‘We love Ms. Raena, she makes learning fun.’ And she does this by making connections in her teaching and extending it to the real world,” Camacho said.
Bermudes, who has been teaching for four years now, was also named as the 2011 teacher of the year of the Public School System.
Each principal discussed how their outstanding teachers have touched the lives of their students.
“It’s not easy,” said BOE member Herman Guerrero. “I know sometimes you’re wondering if you’re getting across to a student. It happens to all of you. However, you all have demonstrated that you can do the job and sometimes we don’t say it enough and perhaps we need to remind ourselves that we need to congratulate the successes of each teacher in all the schools.”
BOE member D. Tanya King, for her part, told the teachers: “I would like to extend my profound congratulations to each and every one of you. You are all exemplary and as a former a teacher and counselor for 25 years with PSS, I share my colleague’s sentiment. But what resonates very deeply is that people who go into teaching do not go in for the money. They go in because this is truly a passion and they want to help young people to become future leaders.”
Board of Education Vice Chairwoman Marylou Ada agreed.
“It takes a lot of dedication and commitment to be in the teaching profession,” she said.
According to other education officials, many teachers sacrifice their holidays and their birthdays because providing an education to their students is of great importance to them.
The teachers, for their part, said they are grateful when their hard work is recognized.
Every year, all over the nation, nominations are made by students, principals, teachers and administrators for the teacher of the year awards.
The profiles of the winners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the CNMI, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Department of Defense Education Activity are submitted to a committee made up of representatives from each of the major education organizations.
In the CNMI, this year’s teachers of the year are:
GTC Elementary School – Raena S. Bermudes (CNMI-Wide Teacher of the Year)
San Antonio Elementary School – Mrs. Theresa Baroo
Saipan Southern High School – Dora Borja Miura
Hopwood Junior High School – Victorino “Vic” Borja
Garapan Elementary School – Clarrisa M. Dela Cruz
San Vicente Elementary School – Carleen R. Saures
Koblerville Elementary School – Karen Ann Alla
Rota High School – Doralynn Barcinas
William S. Reyes Elementary School – Divina Dela Cruz
Chacha Jr. High School – Joseph San Nicolas
Dandan Elementary School – Ramona Taro Laniyo
Tanapag Elementary School – Jason M. Aia
Tinian Elementary School – Jennifer S. San Nicolas
Marianas High School – Victoria Saures
Dr. Rita Inos Jr. High School – Vivian Atalig
Sinapalo Elementary School – Lorna Mae Calvo
Kagman Elementary School – Cynthia A. Cepeda
Kagman High School – Josepha Kaipat
Oleai Elementary School – Roxie Lamar
Tinian Jr./Sr. High School – Regina Palacios
