KoES also announced the selection of Kevin Adachi as its teacher aide of the year and Norman Arda as the support staff of the year.
DeWitt has been with the teaching profession for over 10 years now and has taught first and second graders at the Seventh-Day Adventist School for five years.
She also taught at Garapan Elementary for two years.
“It’s truly an honor for me. This is something that is unexpected and it feels great,” she told Variety yesterday.
In her fourth year as a first grade teacher at KoES, DeWitt said being part of every child’s development is very rewarding.
“Knowing you are there in their first steps to learning … that gives me true satisfaction. They come in without even knowing how to write and read but will soon leave the classroom equipped with knowledge,” she said.
DeWitt teaches 25 students daily at KoES.
Described by her principal Rizzalina Purugganan as an outstanding mentor, DeWitt was also lauded for her energetic and dynamic approach to teaching students.
She is actively involved with the Public School System’s Language Arts Learning Community and conducts professional development sessions for teachers on research-based teaching strategies that they can apply to their classrooms.
“As a teacher mentor, she helps teachers with their needs in the classroom and provides support for the novice teachers,” Purugganan said, adding that DeWitt also organizes PeaceBuilders activities every month.
“She promotes the spirit of teamwork, discipline, and healthy living by being active in school sports program. Mrs. DeWitt is truly amazing! Koblerville Elementary School administrators, teachers, and staff are very proud of her,” Purugganan added.
KoES teacher aide of the year Kevin Adachi was described as “enthusiastic, hardworking and dynamic.”
According to Purugganan, “He likes to offer his help to all our teachers and staff. He is also very creative, teaches our students with cultural dances and songs, teaches our students with many forms of arts, and he loves being with children.”
Adachi is also actively involved in promoting good health at the school by being a member and a presenter of the Project Familia program.
Norman Arda, the support staff of the year of Koblerville, has been its maintenance worker for four years now.
His tasks include maintaining the school’s electrical system, air-conditioning units, the school’s lawn, buildings and grounds.
“Mr. Arda is always willing to work with the administrators and with the teachers with the best of his ability,” Purugganan said. “His positive attitude and his willingness to do the tasks given to him, and his contribution to the school and to our community make him become the support staff of the year for our school.”
