Rita Ann Torres Carreon was named as the school’s teacher of the year; Ron Olopai is the teacher aide of the year; and Clarissa Ann C. Cruz is the support staff of the year.
In her nine years with PSS, Carreon has been a special education aide with the Head Start program and taught three years in first grade and two years in kindergarten.
As the student counsel advisor and chairwoman of the 1st Annual Cultural Family Night, Carreon also participated and chaired various activities such as the Christmas Decorating Contest at the Paseo de Marianas and at the airport.
“It has been a privilege and an honor to be voted teacher of the year of SAES,” she said. “However, I believe that all teachers work hard, therefore, we should consider ourselves teachers of the year.”
According to the SAES faculty, “Working with the octopus family has helped Ms. Carreon to grow personally and professionally. Everyday she looked forward to coming to work because of the positive and promising environment SAES has to offer daily. There is no doubt that her achievement will be spoken of for some time to come and that the admiration for her accomplishments is felt by all here in San Antonio Elementary School.”
Olopai, the 2008 teacher aide of the year, has been with SAES for the past eight years.
“Since I enjoy sports, I assist a lot in the P.E. field of teaching,” he said. “I work alongside the teachers and staff on many different projects. I have also attended numerous workshops and professional development sessions. I enjoy being a San Antonio ‘Gamson’ and hope to remain one for a long time.”
An employee of the school for three years, Cruz said working at SAES has been a “great experience” for her.
“I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the most wonderful people in the world,” she said. “I enjoy working with our students, especially in the areas of reading and language arts.”
The school’s librarian aide, Cruz is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Northern Marianas College and hopes to graduate next year.
This year’s CNMI teacher, teacher aide and support staff of the year will be announced on Education Day, Nov. 26, at Koblerville Elementary School.
