On Wednesday afternoon, the community and the PSS family gathered here to honor and paid Rios a tribute, who retired as school principal of Tinian Elementary School.
“The community has truly benefited from what you have done. Your nun hood has truly helped us get blessed to have one of the best teachers and principals that ever served our community,” Board of Education Chairwoman Lucia Blanc-Maratita said.
She added, “Truly we love you Mrs. Rios.”
Rios, who was born on Guam and has called Tinian her home, started teaching in 1960. As a first grade teacher in St. Dominic Brookfield, Wisconsin, she went on to serve various school districts and private schools in the nation: in Mt. Mary College, Wisconsin, in Grant Rapid’s Michigan, St. Joseph Gallelleo, Ohio and even in Chicago’s China Town.
It was in 1964 when she went back to Guam and taught at San Vicente Barrigada and Mt. Carmel School.
Barely a year of teaching in Guam’s private schools, Rios left and entered the convent. For 14 years, Rios — or Sr. Rose Sharon — dedicated serving Catholic community at the School Sister of Notre Dame and also as a teacher-nun.
It was in 1978 when she left the convent to join the public school system, first teaching at Agat Junior High School. Then she moved on to teach at Truman Elementary School until she was re-hired at Mt. Carmel School where she ultimately served as vice principal from 1996 to 2000.
The late Henry Hofschneider invited her to teach for Tinian Elementary School in 2000 and was the school’s second grade teacher. Two years after becoming a public school teacher she rose to become vice principal. It was in 2008 that Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan appointed her principal of Tinian Elementary School.
“This is where my heart is. There is home to me. Tinian Elementary School has been my home for a decade,” Rios, trying to hold back tears, recalled her experiences before a packed TES cafeteria.
Education Commissioner Sablan said Rios’ tenure and service “exemplified the best of what you can do for our children.”
“We are truly honored that you have given more than enough for our children: You gave them the best learning and education that our children can be. We are going to miss you.”
The education commissioner presented Rios the “Gold Jubilee Award” in teaching along with a separate commendation from the Board of Education, which was presented by Blanco-Maratita.
Acting principal Dionne Santos presented her the “Distinguished Service Award For Serving Tinian Elementary School.”
Member of the PSS leadership team were at hand to witness and take part of the poignant ceremony.
“You are really a dedicated public servant who is genuinely committed. We aspire to be like you,” said GTC principal Charlotte Camacho, who represented all public elementary school principals.
Secondary school principal representative and Chacha Oceanview principal Vince Dela Cruz said the enormous contribution of Rios is immeasurable.
“Thank you for being a part of our team. Your contribution to Tinian will be with us forever.”
Principal Julian Hofchneider of Tinian Jr.Sr. High School, said “it was the best move ever to appoint Rios as vice principal.”
Rios and Hofchneider who the then-principal of Tinian Elementary School, complemented each other in the years that Tinian public schools were growing and students showing progress and development.
Tinian Mayor Ray Dela Cruz presented Rios a separated award “for her immense contribution to the people of Tinian and Aguiguan.”
For Rios, even if she is back home on Guam, she would always consider Tinian her second home. And she wanted to be remembered as “the teacher who wanted to give the best for her students.”
“It was the service of our children that was the blessing, the encouragement from my colleagues that kept me moving. I am forever grateful for these experiences.”
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