Francis Mendiola in class
According to a September 5th release from the CNMI Public School System, five teachers are in the running to be the 2024 Teacher of the Year: Koblerville Elementary School’s Francis Mendiola, Hopwood Middle School’s Maria Nishida, Sinapalo Elementary School’s Maria Pobeda, Marianas High School’s Roque Indalecio, and Da’ok Academy’s Sonya-Jane Olopai.
For World Teacher’s Day, the Variety reached out to the candidates to hear what motivates them to nourish the minds of the island’s youth.
Maria Pobeda
Coming from “the world’s friendliest island” Maria Pobeda graduated from Southern New Hampsire University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 2018. She was a classroom teacher for second graders at Sinapalo Elementary for five years. Currently Pobeda teaches kindergarten.
When Pobeda walks into her classroom in the morning, she says she’s on a mission.
“[Teaching] is about inspiring a passion for learning, encouraging a feeling of community, and assisting your students in developing into competent people who are equipped to face challenges in the future,” she says of her teaching philosophy.
Pobeda adds that when it comes to her classroom, she learns from them just like they learn from her.
“Diving into the educational field is not just about having my students grow but also allowing myself to grow with them. It may be a roller coaster ride of life-shaping experiences, but it is an absolute privilege to be a part of their growth, progress, and successes, no matter how big or small,” Pobeda says.
The Sinapalo Elementary teacher adds that she would be honored to win the teacher of the year award.
“If I were to be acknowledged as the State Teacher of the Year, it would be an immense honor and a deeply fulfilling achievement,” Pobeda says. “It would signify recognition of my passion and effort, the broader commitment to education, and the positive impact of shaping young minds.”
Sonya Jane Olopai
Sonya Jane Olopai is a veteran of education on Saipan who taught at Oleai Elementary School, DanDan Elementary School, ChaCha Oceanview Middle School, and Hopwood Middle School prior to her current role as an English Language Arts teacher at Da’ok Academy.
Olopai says that there are “countless rewards when you’re an educator.”
“Just knowing that I continue to make an impact [on students], whether big or small, is a reward in itself, as is working side-by-side with parents and colleagues, since I commit to form meaningful relationships with them.”
If Olopai becomes the CNMI Teacher of the Year, she says the success will come from the support of her family.
“My family is proud of my nomination,” she says. “They also play a huge role in my profession by assisting me when I ask something for my students.”
Francis Mendiola
Francis Mendiola is Koblerville Elementary School’s nominee for Teacher of the Year, and he has spent the last 19 years supporting its students. Mendiola confirms that he began his career at Koblerville Elementary School in 2004 and has been an Umang ever since.
The 5th grade classroom teacher says that even if he was the CNMI PSS’ top teacher, the real honor would belong to those he works for.
“If I became teacher of the year, it would not only mean so much to me but I know it would bring pride to my current and former students and most importantly to my Umang family,” He says.”What I do day in and day out, is for them and my family.”
Maria Nishida
Maria Nishida is a proud Hilitai who has been teaching at Hopwood Middle School since 2011. She currently teaches math and science to the school’s 7th and 8th graders.
“Becoming State Teacher of the Year requires going above and beyond the regular job descriptions of a teacher to truly make an impact on my school, the schools in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and our community as a whole,” Nishida says when asked to qualify what the Teacher of the Year award would mean to her.
At her profession, Nishida experiences a whirlwind of emotions.
“I fell in love with my students and my job,” Nishida shares. “Middle school students are the most honest, the friendliest, the most sensitive human beings. I laugh with them, cry with them, and celebrate with them.”
Nishida adds that the rewards of the classroom include watching her students become productive, righteous, happy, and successful.
“When my students enjoy coming to my class, listen attentively to what I am teaching, and participate in the classroom activities and discussions because they know I love and truly care for them–that is when real learning happens,” she adds.
Roque Indalecio
For Roque Indalecio, the reward of teaching can be found in his students.
“One of the most rewarding things is seeing your students go out into the world and grow and become productive members of society,” he says. “Teachers accomplish several crucial tasks in the classroom. Teachers educate and impart students with knowledge. We promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. We instill in them discipline and responsibility. And we hope to inspire students to be lifelong learners and productive members of society.”
At MHS, Indalecio shares that he teaches all grade levels. Primarily he teaches chemistry to sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and through the PSS Distance Education Program, he teaches environmental science, where he as some freshmen enrolled as well.
Indalecio shares that if he were to be statewide Teacher of the Year, it would only add fuel to his teaching fire.
“Becoming Teacher of the Year would be a great honor, motivating me to serve the students of PSS continually.”
