Teachers Recognized With The “Ercilia Pepín” Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching

Teachers Recognized With The “Ercilia Pepín” Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, March 2, 2012

The award recognizes the efforts of men and women dedicated to teaching.

On this occasion, Fatima Silié de la Rosa was recognized in the category “Efficiency in Classroom Work;” Santa Emilia Peña García for “Best Aptitude for Innovation and Incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Educational Processes;”…

Today the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Education presented the fifth “ErciliaPepín” Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, dedicated to the memory of teacherErciliaPepín. This award is one of the highest honors thatare conferred in recognition of the services rendered by national teachers.

On this occasion, Fatima Silié de la Rosa was recognized in the category “Efficiency in Classroom Work;” Santa Emilia Peña García for “Best Aptitude for Innovation and Incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Educational Processes;” and José Francisco Álvarez was recognized in the category “Contribution to the Development of the Educational Community and to Cultural Work.”  The award recipientsreceived a medal for teaching merits, a certificate, and a cash prize of RD$100,000; 75,000; and 50,000, respectively.

During her speech, Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández stated that education is everyone’s responsibility, and that while recognizing that teachers are the main leaders or guides in the overall education of a person, it is essential to emphasize the role of families and other public and private institutions that carry out initiatives to improve education every day and make the profession a noble one.

“I promote education as a means to achieving progress and success. As First Lady, I have supported and created innovative initiatives to stimulate its scope and quality. I have put a lot of effort into working alongside the families in their educational processes, supporting schools and vocational and technical training, thereby imprinting my humble mark on their lives,” stated Margarita Cedeño.

She added that teachers must be supported and valued, and that their professionalization must be fostered and promotedby providing them with thenecessary incentives to encouragetheir effective and efficient performance. One must also highlight the example set by those teachers who have a sense of mission and commitment and who have made of this noble profession a lifestyle based on service values, dedication, and love for others.

The architect of the award stated that the government is compelled to change the educational paradigm for another that is more dynamic and participatory, whichpromotes research, creativity and innovation, and whichis supported by a teaching profession that is committed, open, and skilled, and which facilitates knowledge-building and foster the talent and the skills of both individuals and groups.

Mrs. Josefina Pimentel, Minister of Education, stated that with this and other educational initiatives the First Lady has become an ally in improving the quality of life and the future of the Dominican society.

Teacher Fatima Silié expressed gratitude on behalf of the award winners and recognized and highlighted the work of President LeonelFernándezfor having provided teachers with academic education, salary increases, training in advanced technology, new school facilities and high technology equipment in schools.  She also thanked the Office of the First Lady for the work it performs with children, young people, and adults in order to give them new hope.

The award is named in honor of Dominican educator Ercilia Pepín (1886-1939), who dedicated her life to teaching, becoming the principal of a girls’ school when she was 16 years old.

The ErciliaPepínPresidential Award for Excellence in Teachingwas created by Decree 285-06 and is one of the initiatives developed in the schools that are part of the Office of the First Lady’s program “Leyendo Aprendo” (learning through reading).  It recognizes the dedication and efficiency of teachers in schools around the country while promoting high-quality education in Dominican classrooms.

The award is named in honor of Dominican educator Ercilia Pepín (1886-1939), who dedicated her life to teaching, becoming the principal of a girls’ school when she was 16 years old.

Ercilia Pepín worked in her native province, Santiago, where she dedicated herself to contributing to women’s education and progress, while fighting for women’s increased participation in political decision-making in the Dominican Republic, at a time when that privilege was limited at best for this segment of the population.