ROTARY CLUB OF WEST CDO LAUNCHES 38TH MOST OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AWARD

By: Clifford Jose Garrido Roa,
Contributor

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ― William Arthur Ward

The Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro (Rcwestcdo), one of the premier and most active Rotary Club in Rotary International District 3870 today, has officially launched the search for the Most Outstanding Public School Teacher Award (MOPSTA) in partnership with Department of Education, Region 10.

Rcwestcdo Club President Franco “Franck” Catajoy officially bared the search during the club’s regular meeting at The VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

“Now on its 38^th year, this search aims to recognize the accomplishments of public elementary and secondary school teachers in the delivery of quality basic education, aims to encourage teachers to continue improving their competencies, and identify educational models to other teachers,” Pres. Catajoy said.

He added: “The club is slated to celebrate its 50^th anniversary by February 16, 2020 and what a way to recognize once again the hard work, tireless efforts and never-ending sacrifices of our public school teachers”.

Past Assistant Governor (PAG) Tina Abalos Hidalgo, the chair of the search for the last 3 years quipped that Vocational Service, one of Rotary’s four avenues of service is the utmost foundation in the mission of recognizing the teachers, as any advocacy that can help the community of its needs, let alone, a teacher whose profession, more of a vocation is to mould the young people to become successful in their own chosen field in the future.

“Vocational Service is the way Rotary fosters and supports the application of the ideal service in the pursuit of all vocations. Inherent in the Vocational Service ideal, among others, is the recognition of the worthiness to society of all useful occupations,” PAG Tina said.

SEARCH CRITERIA AND MECHANICS

The Search is open to public classroom school teachers of the elementary and secondary levels who have been teaching for at least 3 successive years with good moral standing and without administrative charges. The coverage areas shall be from all Divisions of Region X.

In the search for MOPSTA, the process of selection will be done in two levels: division and regional. Division nominees will be screened and reviewed by the DepEd Division Search Committee.

At the regional level, the MOPSTA Committee of the Rcwestcdo together with DepEd Region X officials will compose the selection panel to determine the semi-finalists and finalists. Finalists will undergo an interview and actual teaching demonstration. 

The selection process will be based only on the prescribed criteria in choosing winners broken down as follows: Personal Qualities and Character 3%; Instructional Competence and Teaching Effectiveness 47%; Community Involvement 3%; Demonstration (Classroom Visit) 25%; Teacher-Student Involvement (after school) 2% and; Interview of Finalists 20%, for a total of 100%.

Club Public Relations Committee Chair Rotarian, Atty. Jenny Uplinger shared that full application requirements and selection criteria are available at all School Division offices and DepEd Region X Office. Applications with supporting documents must be submitted to DepEd Division Office by December 21, 2019.

The final phase of selection and interview of finalists will be done in February 2020. The Rotary Club of West CDO together with DepEd Region Office will announce the winners only during the awarding ceremonies.

Outstanding teachers who are previous awardees of similar searches conducted by Metrobank and MOPSTA previous top winner can no longer join the search. 

CASH PRIZES

MOPSTA grand winner, 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up will receive cash prizes and trophies. Finalists will receive cash prizes, Certificate of Recognition and Scholarship Certificate of any Vocational Courses. Grand Winner – Php 100,000.00; 1st Runner Up  – Php   50,000.00 and; 2nd Runner Up – Php   40,000.00.

Previous grand winners went on to be selected as Metrobank’s Outstanding Teachers includes Dr. Michelle Rodriguez (2012), Dr. Enerio Ebisa (2014) and Ms. Mary Jane Ramo (2018).

SPONSORS, DONORS AND BENEFACTORS

Rcwestcdo and its partner in service, the Department of Education, Region X, and gives due recognition to the heirs of the late Mayor Justiniano R. Borja through the GIGI BORJA ENDOWMENT FUND who are the major contributors of MOPSTA.

Rcwestcdo specifically acknowledges the children of the late Mayor Borja in the persons of Mrs. Christine Borja-Sagarbarria, Mrs. Cecilia Borja-Chiongbian and the Recently Retired Honorable Justice Romulo V. Borja.

Along with the Gigi Borja Endowment Fund are equally dedicated sponsors like as well as the Abellanosa Family in honor of the late Luneta Dayta Abellanosa, Past District Governor (PDG) Aldrico T. Mañus and Lady Rosie Mañus in honor of the late  Tirso F. Manus, RC West Foundation, Inc., PDG  Rhia Rita Y. Abalos, Inner Wheel Club Past President Remedios C. Espiritu for the memory of Santiago & Feliza dela Cruz, PAG Armando A. Tarayao, PAG Almarco C. Brito, PAG Adrian Co, Past Director Rodilla D. Gaylo,

 Ms. Teresa L. Elloso Celdran and other Rcwestcdo Rotarians who have generous hearts for Public School Teachers.

The MOPSTA Committee 2019-2020 is chaired by PAG Tina Hidalgo; Vice Chair is Rotarian/Atty Gloria Tango, under Vocational Service headed by PAG Almarco Brito.

CLUB FLAGSHIP PROJECTS

Other notable flagship projects of Rcwestcdo includes The Oro Open Golf Tournament, now on its 20th year, a major fundraising activity of the club that encourages golfers from around the country to not just strut their wares but thru their participation, holistic projects in community and literacy are realized; school buildings built in Barangay Balubal and Barangay Tablon and Project Uplift, a scholarship grant project of the club, molds, assists and gives utmost opportunities for elementary and high school students to earn basic education and possible, an undergraduate degree.

Moreover, the club is also giving a Skyhydrant Unit for safe drinking water for select hinterland barangays. Two were installed in Brgy. Bayanga and Dansolihon. And more units to be installed in Maramag, Basilan, Marawi, Cotabato and some Barangay’s in CDO this Rotary year. The club is set also to hold its 5^th Annual Medical Mission this December.

ABOUT ROTARY CLUB OF WEST CAGAYAN DE ORO

The Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro was conceived by the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro on June 3, 1969.  A nucleus committee was then organized headed by the late PDG Dante Sarraga with Plutarco “Cocoy” Velez, Aldrico “Al” Mañus, Dodong Velez, Tito Nable, Ric Santos and Frank Guerra as members.

The resolution to organize was submitted and approved during the District Assembly held on June 13-14, 1969 in Iloilo City under the term of DG Pafs Mejia.

The Board of Directors of Rotary International approved the Charter on February 16, 1970.  Subsequently, the Charter presentation was held on June 23, 1970, at the Villa Hermosa Hotel with PDG Cocoy Velez as President and the former Congressman Luis Taruc as Guest Speaker

The charter members included PDG Cocoy Velez, PDG Al Manus, Past President (PP) Faeling Floirendo, Rtns. Frank Guerra, Dodong Velez, Tito Nable and  Ric Santos.  

Today, the club is the biggest in the district with 102 members. 

More than 50% of the members had been with the club for more than 5 years while 20% has been with the club for more than 10 years. 

Over the years, the club became one of the most prominent club in the district producing seven District Governors, namely, PDG Cocoy Velez, PDG Bands Hernandez, PDG Al Mañus, PDG Tony Aguilar, PDG Ben Vegafria, PDG Joe Nebrao,  PP Ernie San Juan who was nominated but was not able to hold the office due to illness and lastly in 2009-2010, DG Rhia Abalos as the first lady governor in the District.

For more Information please contact: DepEd Region 10, Dr. Rebecca P. Postrano Cell # 0917-327-0565 Rcwestcdo, PAG Tina A. Hidalgo Cell # 0906-903-0451 (PR)