[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 34 (Thursday, March 23, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E410]]
              ANNUAL WEEK OF CLASSROOM TEACHER CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2000

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, in my district of Guam, we have a wealth 
of talented and devoted educators responsible for teaching more than 
33,000 students each year. It is unfortunate, however, that only a 
handful are actually recognized for their diligence and commitment to 
educating our children. In reality teachers can never be honored enough 
for their hard won successes. At times, it may seem like teachers may 
feel they have a thankless job with minimal or no recognition. At 
times, teachers may feel their efforts in the classroom seem 
inconsequential and go unappreciated. At times, teachers may feel like 
they are in a profession which no longer holds the prominence it once 
did.
  It has been said that teaching is the most unappreciated profession. 
Conversely, it has also been said that teaching is the most self-
gratifying profession. As a long-time educator, I understand the daily 
quandaries that teachers encounter--the limited resources, the 
financial constraints and the juggling of school staff to make certain 
that the needs of every student are met. As a parent, I can certainly 
appreciate the challenges and sacrifice they face to get the best 
education readily available for our children. Thus, teachers rarely 
receive the commendation they deserve.
  On March 19-25, 2000, the Annual Week of the Classroom Teacher 
Celebration officially commences on Guam. During this week, 91 teachers 
from 17 schools will be formally recognized. The appreciation of the 
dedication of all educators island-wide will be spotlighted as the 
following teachers are recognized:
  Kyma Scadlock (Andersen Elementary), Donna Rhodes (Andersen 
Elementary), Fumi Marquez (Andersen Elementary), Debra Hall (Andersen 
Elementary), Martha Sudo (Andersen Elementary), Arlene B. Cruz (Mt. 
Santa Rosa Elementary), Betty Santos (Mt. Santa Rosa Elementary), 
Tarslia Muth (Mt. Santa Rosa Elementary), Marina Pangelinan (Mt. Santa 
Rosa Elementary), Katherine Rives (Mt. Santa Rosa Elementary), Tina 
Buendicho (Inarajan Elementary), Amy Holland (Inarajan Elementary), 
Brigida Agustin (Inarajan Elementary), Sr. Teresa Cruz (Inarajan 
Elementary), Jerry Nartia (Inarajan Elementary), Rosario Quinata 
(Inarajan Elementary), Diana Dungca (Astumbo Elementary), and Mark Olin 
(Astumbo Elementary).
  Yvonne Rado (Astumbo Elementary), Elaine Ulloa (Astumbo Elementary), 
Fred Fensler (Astumbo Elementary), Denis Watabayashi (John F. Kennedy 
High School), Susan Seay (John F. Kennedy High School), Barbara Roberto 
(John F. Kennedy High School), Roberta Abadahay (John F. Kennedy High 
School), Collette Beausoleil (John F. Kennedy High School), Abigail 
Carbullido (John F. Kennedy High School), Gloria Estampador (Jose Rios 
Elementary), Rebecca Benavente (Jose Rios Elementary), Ivy Baleto (Jose 
Rios Elementary), Valerie Quinata (Jose Rios Elementary), Elizabeth 
Apiag (Jose Rios Elementary), Ray Leon Guerrero (Jose Rios Elementary), 
Gwendolyn Taimanglo (F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School), Irene Mafnas 
(F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School), and Diono Rolando (F.B. Leon 
Guerrero Middle School).
  Ann Aguon (F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School), Marien Taitano (F.B. 
Leon Guerrero Middle School), John Shook (F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle 
School), Shery Nixt (Maria Ulloa Elementary School), Marilyn 
VanderWeide (F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School), Esther Keone (F.B. Leon 
Guerrero Middle School), Danilo Dimag (F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle 
School), Amafael Silvestre (F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School), Erlinda 
Arriola (Lyndon B. Johnson, Elementary), Lynette Quitugua (Lyndon B. 
Johnson Elementary), Tricia Gumba (Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary), 
Lolita Siguenza (Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary), Lanee Lim (Lyndon B. 
Johnson Elementary), Carmelita Guiterrez (Finegayan Elementary), Denise 
San Nicolas (Finegayan Elementary), John Wagganer (Finegayan 
Elementary), Josephine Opinion (Finegayan Elementary), and Gwendolyn 
Perez (Finegayan Elementary).
  Diane Pegarido (Marcial Sablan and Elementary), Alma Neglerio 
(Marcial Sablan Elementary), Sharon DeVera (Marcial Sablan Elementary), 
Marybelle Iglesias (Marcial Sablan Elementary), Ninfa DeVerra (Marcial 
Sablan Elementary), Betsy Bonhoff (Ordot/Chalan Pago Elementary), 
Rosalyn Jurinario (Ordot/Chalan Pago Elementary), Daisy San Miguel 
(Ordot/Chalan Pago Elementary), Leah Fernandez (Ordot/Chalan Pago 
Elementary), Dolores Cayanan (Ordot/Chalan Pago Elementary), Dawn Reyes 
(Inarajan Middle School), Davia Gofigan (Inarajan Middle School), 
Norval Marsh (Inarajan Middle School), Therese Iglesias (Inarajan 
Middle School), Barbara Blas (Inarajan Middle School), Carmen Bermudes 
(Oceanview Middle School), Curtis Ibbotson (Oceanview Middle School), 
and Joseph Leon Guerrero (Oceanview Middle School).
  Larry Kennedy (Oceanview Middle School), Marissa Quitugua (Oceanview 
Middle School), Patty Bamba (Oceanview Middle School), Ritana Guerrero 
(P.C. Lujan Elementary), Maaria Y. Cruz (P.C. Lujan Elementary), Agnes 
Rivera (P.C. Lujan Elementary), Peter Pangelinan (P.C. Lujan 
Elementary), Annette Payne (P.C. Lujan Elementary) Doris Baza (Talofofo 
Elementary), Richard Cruz (Talofofo Elementary), Marie D.C. Taimanglo 
(Talofofo Elementary), Rita R. Anderson (Talofofo Elementary), 
Elizabeth R. Pablo (Talofofo Elementary), Estella C. Simon (Talofofo 
Elementary), Claire Santos (Daniel L. Perez Elementary), Shelly Hughes 
(Daniel L. Perez Elementary), Janice Banks ((Daniel L. Perez 
Elementary), Rowena Dimla (Daniel L. Perez Elementary), and Yolanda 
Rosal (Daniel L. Perez Elementary).
  The Annual Week of the Classroom Teacher Celebration is sponsored by 
the University of Guam Association for Childhood Education 
International, the Guam Department of Education, and the Department of 
Defense Schools. Throughout the week, numerous activities are scheduled 
at the various schools, culminating with an awards ceremony at the Guam 
Hyatt Regency Hotel on March 25, 2000.
  Teachers are the pillars of our educational system. They provide the 
foundation and support to foster education of our children. They 
inspire our children to strive further in academics. They help mold and 
shape students into knowledgeable young adults.
  Good teachers help students realize their potential for success and 
foster self-confidence. They have a personal commitment to help 
students become a whole person, equipped with the knowledge, self-
confidence, and respect they need to compete and excel in today's ever 
changing world.
  And, there must be a concerted commitment to our children's 
educational health and well-being. This commitment must be a 
partnership among educators, parents, and the administrators. As a 
majority of our students have become successful individuals in their 
own rights, such success would not have been possible without such a 
commitment and partnership. We are only as strong as our weakest link. 
Therefore, we must continue to work hard to help our future generation 
attain success. No one aspect of education is the panacea for its 
process. To achieve success, everyone must work together.
  I take great pride and pleasure in joining my island community 
saluting Guam's educators for their hard work and dedication to the 
development and cultivation of our children's education. Dangkalu Na Si 
Yu'os Maase. Keep up the good work.

                          ____________________