“I encouraged our awardees to continue to motivate your peers in sustaining the success and growth we all experience today. We all have seen how PSS had come a long way,” BOE Chairwoman Marylou S. Ada said, adding that “the (commissioner of education) cannot do it alone; but she not only has her leadership team but she has you — we have you educators.”
Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan agrees. “It is not only because of your effectiveness and commitment to spur student learning, you all have become our inspiration. Thank you for standing alongside us.”
2012 PSS Instructor of the Year Taimanao is from Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, and has been with PSS for eight years now.
She could not hide her “shock” upon learning that she won one of the top education awards handed annually by BOE and PSS.
“It has been worth it every day. Every day that I report for work, I am inspired to see our children learn,” Taimanao said. “Working for the school system is an eye-opener.”
For the first time, the 2012 Teacher Aide of the Year went to two individuals — and both are special education teacher aides.
One of the winners, Francisco K. Arurang went with his principal, Kagman Elementary School’s Ignacia Demapan, believing that they were going to attend a meeting with PSS and BOE leaders yesterday.
Instead, Arurang was surprised to learn that he had won an award.
“I dedicate by everyday life to the children I serve. This award is for my special education students who continue to accomplish their (quest) to learn,” said Arurang, who has been with PSS for 20 years now.
Fitial was accompanied by Marianas High School principal Cherlyn Cabrera and vice principal Martin Dalsaso when they showed up in the BOE conference room yesterday.
Fitial, too, was in for a surprise.
“Honestly, I shook upon learning that I am (one of the awardees),” said Fitial who has been with MHS for six years now. “This is about fulfilling my mission to assist our teachers and our students to be the best they can be.”
The three winners are living testaments of “what educators should be: compassionate and dedicated,” Ada said.
Sablan said it is because of the educators’ “effectiveness and commitment to help students learn that you have become our children’s inspiration as well.”
