(PSS) — From working alongside the school principal to helping coach teachers, support student learning, and respond to a parent’s request, school vice principals perform a lot of tasks as the “support system of the school.”
On Monday, April 8, they shared their experiences during a professional development session that capped the Public School System’s Vice Principals Week celebration at Kensington Hotel.
PSS has 23 vice principals serving 20 elementary, middle and high schools on Rota, Tinian and Saipan.
On Monday, Board of Education Chairman Herman Atalig, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Associate Commissioner for Administration Eric Magofna, Special Education State Director Donna M. Flores, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline P. Che, Finance and Budget Director Arlene Lizama, Human Resources Officer Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, Information Technology and Distance Education Director Lorraine Catienza, and Senior Directors Dr. Rizalina Liwag and Dr. Yvonne R. Pangelinan, among other education officials, recognized the vice principals’ dedication and hard work.
The PSS vice principals are Carla A. Sablan, Chacha Oceanview Middle School; Reo A. Arriola, Dandan Middle School; Catherine A. Acera-Cabrera, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School; Melisa D. Mendes, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School; Jaclyn Rose A. Quitugua, Garapan Elementary School; Karen Anna Alla Manuel and Benjamin B. Seman, Hopwood Middle School; Lareyna N. Camacho, Kagman Elementary School; Francisca C. Bondoc and Shirley-Jean L. Norita, Kagman High School; Jonas M. Barcinas, Koblerville Elementary School; Preston O. Basa, Andrew L Orsini II and Melanie Sablan Rdiall, Marianas High School; Alisa Ann T. Pangelinan, Oleai Elementary School; Arisa Sakai, Saipan Southern High School; Annamarie S. Guerrero, San Vicente Elementary School; Juana Atalig, Sinapalo Elementary School; Felisa B. Tellu, Tanapag Middle School; April Manglona, Tinian Elementary School; Edward M. Hofschneider, Tinian Middle/High School; and Jocelyn M. Manibusan, William S. Reyes Elementary School.
Proud to serve
“Why do I serve? It helps me make a difference in the community,” said MHS Vice Principal Romolo Andrew Orsini.
Preston Basa, another MHS vice principal, said: “It’s for the students. I know that what we provide to our students will impact their overall education.”
Vice Principal Melanie Sablan Rdiall is proud to serve MHS for the last five years. “I have 1,600-plus reasons for why I served,” she said, referring to the number of MHS students. “I don’t see myself going anywhere in the next 100 years,” she added.
Chacha Oceanview Middle School Vice Principal Carla Sablan said, “I have been with PSS for 22 years and I still find it rewarding to see students every day, support our teachers and families. And over the years, our students have thanked us. That’s my ‘why.’ This is why I love my job.”
Tinian Elementary School Vice Principal April Manglona has been on the job for only eight months. “It is sometimes overwhelming, but what makes our job easier is the good support system that I have. And I thank (Principal) Lou Connie Manglona for being a great support system,” she said.
Rota’s Sinapalo Elementary School Vice Principal Juana Atalig is proud to serve the school system. “I am a product of the Head Start Program, my son is in the Special Education Program, and my family has been given support by the Public School System. Without this amazing system in my life, I would not be an amazing support in our school. That’s why I am amazing,” she said.
Garapan Elementary School Vice Principal Jaclyn Rose Quitugua said: “The reason why I get up in the morning is to be with my students and my colleagues — our school staff.”
She paid tribute to her parents, PSS Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction Jackie A. Quitugua and former Associate Commissioner Justo Quitugua. “I grew up in the [education’ system. I was at my parents’ office almost every day when I was young, and it was fitting to follow their steps.”
Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Vice Principal Catherine Acera-Cabrera was “challenged” to join the team. “It helped me move mountains…for the future of our children, for their success, and for them to become life-long learners,” she said.
One of the longest serving vice principals, Arisa Sakai of SSHS, finds her job rewarding: “I have been a classroom teacher for 17 years, and I’m always there to support everyone. I’m the cheerleader, the second mom to our high school students,” she said.
Kagman High School Vice Principal Francisca Castro is excited by her job. “Every day there’s something different. That’s why I enjoy what I’m doing,” she said.
Oleai Elementary School Vice Principal Alisa Ann T. Pangelinan said: “My ‘why’ is why not? Every day, everything that we do…is for our children. What we do at home as parents we do at our school as educators.”
For the past 16 years as an educator, Vice Principal Annamarie S. Guerrero is proud of being part of the San Vicente Elementary School community. “I have been the ‘Robin to Batman.’ I’m the Robin in my school. I’m their support but it’s not about me; it’s about us all and what we do for our schools,” she said.
For Kagman Elementary School Vice Principal Lareyna “Loling” Camacho, “It’s hard work, but we do what we do to serve our community.”
Tanapag Middle School Vice Principal Feliza Brel Tellu said it’s her “passion” that keeps her going.
Hopwood Middle School Vice Principal Karen Ann A. Manuel said: “I have had several jobs but nothing topped being in school. Every day you come across different life stories, and you get to know students. It’s just really amazing that I’m in school and there is an impact on one, 500 or 1,500 lives.”
Another Hopwood vice principal, Dr. Ben Seman, said: “We’re all about supporting each other. It is my passion to serve.”
The newest vice principal, Ed Hofschneider of Tinian Jr. Sr. High School, said: “We look after our students. With everything that we do, we give them support.”
Dandan Middle School Vice Principal Reo Arriola has served the school for 14 years. “The reason why I continue to give my all is the opportunity that it provides me: to offer support to my school,” Arriola said.
Koblerville Elementary School Vice Principal Jonas M. Barcinas has worn many hats as an educator in the past 34 years. “I am the first of my siblings to attend and finish college,” he said, “and I told myself after graduating from college that I would help my family and the community. That is why I serve our school district. I believe in what our students can achieve, what our teachers can offer, and what we, as advocates and leaders, can do.”
The Public School System’s 23 vice principals pose for a photo with Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and other PSS officials.
Board of Education Chairman Herman Atalig gestures as he praises PSS vice principals for their hard work and dedication.
From left, PSS Human Resources Officer Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, Tinian Jr. Sr. High School Principal Ed Hofschneider, Koblerville Elementary School Vice Principal Jonas Barcinas and Dandan Middle School Vice Principal Reo Arriola.
PSS officials Lathania Angui, Dr. Rizalina Liwag, Eric Magofna, Donna Flores, Leila Yumul and Arlene Lizama participate in a professional development activity with school vice principals.
From left, Hopwood Middle School Vice Principals Dr. Ben Seman and Karen A. Manuel, Board of Education Chairman Herman Atalig, Tanapag Middle School Vice Principal Feliza Tellu and Kagman Elementary School Vice Principal Loling Camacho.
MHS Vice Principal Romolo Orsini, Information Technology and Distance Education Director Lorraine Catienza, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Chacha Oceanview Middle School Vice Principal Carla Sablan and MHS Vice Principals Melanie S. Rdiall and Preston Basa participate in a professional development activity.
Vice Principals April Manglona, Catherine Cabrera, Jaclyn Rose Quitugua and Juana Atalig take part in a professional development activity.
Vice Principals Ana Guerrero, Alisa Pangelinan, Francisca Bondoc and Arisa Sakai participate in a word game bingo activity.
In recognition of their hard work, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and PSS presented tokens of appreciation to the vice principals. Photo shows Camacho with Vice Principals Dr. Ben Seman, Karen A. Manuel, Catherine Cabrera, Carla Sablan, Feliza Tellu and Ed Hofschneider.
