Public sector teachers, in all grades of the service in Anguilla, returned to their classrooms this week with a sense of renewed enthusiasm and commitment as they began their difficult task for the new school year. All of the educators were back to school on Monday, except those at the Adrian T Hazell Primary School where the preparatory and refurbishing work delayed their teaching until Wednesday when classes resumed. The teachers’ enthusiasm and encouragement resulted from their 12th Annual Appreciation Day Ceremony at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium on Friday, August 29. The theme of the event was: “Teachers Developing Minds, Moulding The Nation”. The teachers found much delight in a lively session of devotional hymn-singing and music that preceded the main programme chaired by Mrs Tracelyn Hamilton, newly-transferred and appointed Principal of the Adrian T Hazell Primary School, who gave the welcome remarks. Commenting on the theme, Minister of Education, Mr Jerome Roberts, said it spoke volumes about the impact that teachers have on children and ultimately national development. “Teachers impact the lives of the students in their care for more than fifteen years, a decade and a half,” he stated in part. “This is a very long time indeed. It is safe to say, therefore, that teachers have many and extensive opportunities to impact the lives of our children, and to prepare them for the future when we expect them to be productive members of our society.” Mr Roberts, whose address is printed elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian, said that such day to day interactions had the effect of developing the minds of children, thereby assisting in moulding the nation. Recently-graduated Methodist Minister, Rev Damien Hughes, spoke at the event on the eve of taking up his appointment in St Kitts. He told the teachers that their motive must be a work of art to guide the children to becoming empowered, literate and creative human beings to change and build Anguillian society. He saw the work of teachers as instantly impacting the students by developing the skills they need to compete in what has become a global village. “The theme for Teachers Appreciation Day only becomes valuable if every teacher sees teaching as a profession and not as a job.” He was aware that teachers do not get the level of salary other employees in the public sector receive – and worse now that there have been two salary cuts at a time when inflation is high – but observe that money should never be the sole reason for which they teach. “Satisfaction is derived from knowing that Anguilla’s first Prime Minister, or Anguilla’s first Governor-General, would have been taught by you.” Rev Hughes added: “The truth is that not everyone can be a teacher – only people driven by wanting to make a difference…, and have the ability to motivate, will be able to be more than just an averaged teacher” and to achieve success in the classroom. An address to the teachers by Chief Education Officer, Mrs Rhonda Connor, was delivered by Ms Sandra Fahie, Education Officer, Curriculum, who quoted Mrs Connor as saying in part: “Our goal is to maximise the potential of every child. This requires us to motivate, inspire and lead with passion. I applaud those of you who go beyond the call of duty, on a daily basis, to make sure that your children are successful in their learning – and encourage all of us to continually reflect on our practice. Where there is room for improvement, I urge you to make a conscious decision to do what is required. “With renewed efforts more of our students will excel in the classroom as scholars; on the field as athletes; on the stage as actors; and in the studio as artistes and musicians. Let us continue the journey to a brighter future for our people. “You have my full support and my deepest appreciation as our students return to the school.” Ms Emma Ferguson, President of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union, said she was delighted with the commitment of the teachers to their task, and offered her best wishes to them for another successful year of teaching. A poem by Amethys Davis, a teacher at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, entitled “We are Amazing Teachers”, the singing of the hymn “Lead Us Heavenly Father,” and the reciting of the Educators Pledge, were additional highpoints at which the programme ended.
