Themed “Preparing the Pacific Child for Life” and cohosted this year by the Guam Public School System, the University of Guam, Guam Community College and Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, the conference is one of the largest gatherings of educators in the Pacific region. A highlight of the PEC is the honoring of the Pacific teachers of the year.
The Pacific teachers of the year recognition program, sponsored by Pacific corporate partners Continental Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., and PREL, is a conference tradition that began in 1996.
This program provides an opportunity for outstanding teachers from American Samoa, the CNMI, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, Guam, Hawaii, the Marshall Islands and to attend the three-day conference.
The teachers of the year are honored at a reception with their chief state school officers, traditional chiefs, government officials, and other dignitaries.
The teachers receive gifts of educational materials.
The opening general session of the conference is their moment, as the outstanding teachers are recognized by all conference attendees.
The teachers not only pursue their own professional development, but also share their successful teaching strategies with other conference attendees.
In their workshops at the conference, the teachers share “what works” in their classrooms, from lesson plans to instructional strategies in the teacher of the year presentations.
The 2009 Pacific teachers of the year are:
• Anson Abraham, Sapwalap Elementary School, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Abraham has been a teacher for 12 years and currently teaches English, math, science, and social studies in grade 8.
• Salvador J. Avilla, George Washington High School, Guam. Avilla has been a teacher for 22 years and currently teaches American government and U.S. history in grades 10-12.
• Loretta J. Case, Dalap Elementary School, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Case has been a teacher for 14 years and currently teaches all subjects in kindergarten.
• Bebi Davis, W. R. Farrington High School, Hawaii. Davis has been a teacher for seven years and currently teaches physics and chemistry in grades 9-12.
• Murali Gopalan, Leone High School, American Samoa. Gopolan has been a teacher for six years and currently teaches chemistry, physics, and specialized science in grades 9-12.
• Pomeroy Kephas, Malem Elementary School, Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia. Kephas has been a teacher for five years and currently teaches language arts, science, and computer in grade 9.
• Broyline Ligow, Dalipebinaw Community School, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. Ligow has been a teacher for a year and currently teaches all required subjects in grade 6.
• Istaro Mwarike, Moch Elementary School, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Mwarike has been a teacher for 27 years and currently teaches math in grade 8.
• James E. Phillips, Marianas High School, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Phillips has been a teacher for five years and currently teaches marine science, honors astronomy, and AP physics in grades 9-12.
• Epsie S. West, Koror Elementary School, Republic of Palau. West has been a teacher for seven years and currently teaches English, social studies, and health in grade 8.
Along with the Pacific partners of the teacher of the year program, the conference attendees and their individual communities, PREL would like to congratulate these exemplary teachers and wish them continued great success in their work on behalf of Pacific children.
