Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, on behalf of PSS, received the Pro Patria Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.
Sablan also received the Seven Seals Award for the school system’s hiring of members of the Guard and Reserve.
During yesterday’s Board of Education meeting, Sablan presented the two awards to BOE, saying that these were the results of a “shared responsibility and leadership” as well as the implementation of “BOE policies that promote and provide equal employment and opportunity to all.”
BOE Chairwoman MaryLou S. Ada and the other board members said they were humbled by the awards.
“These awards are dedicated to our men and women who continue to make a difference in the lives of our students,” Sablan said. “Our servicemembers, by sharing their skills, are helping us in many of our programs,” she added.
This is the third consecutive year that PSS was honored by ESGR-U.S. Department of Defense but the first time that it received the highest awards.
This is also the first time that a CNMI education commissioner was presented the Seven Seals Award.
The Guards and Reservists themselves nominated PSS and Sablan to the ESGR awards committee.
There are about 40 to 50 servicemembers, including Guards and Reservists, who are working for PSS or have chosen teaching as their career.
