Early Childhood Education Teachers in Anguilla have been told that with a number of grandparents and parents working, or otherwise preoccupied with various aspects of life, the burden rests on kindergarten teachers, in particular, to perform an expanded role of parenting.
The statement was made by the Reverend Dr Wycherley Gumbs. He was at the time delivering the feature address at the opening of Early Childhood Education Month 2015 at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Tuesday, March 3. The Superintendent of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit, who boasts of forty years of teaching at preschool, primary, high school and university level in Anguilla and in the region, gave a rundown of some of the problems and demands facing teachers, including dealing with difficult parents and the responsibility of the teachers to rise to a myriad of challenges.
“Parents are rushing to get to the job, and you are becoming everything. It all rests in your lap and then you have husbands fussing, wives fussing, children bawling and pregnant women. So you become that extended family,” he told the teachers. “And so your job is difficult, but you are who you are. A teacher is a calling, not a profession. The clergy, teachers and doctors are serving professions. You do what you do because you love what you do. So keep doing what you do and persevere – holding the hand of a child weeping and bawling for mommy and all the rest of it. You have to go through all of that. Do it with grace because that is what you are – a teacher.”
The Minister also told the teachers that they were cultural transformers. Theirs was the responsibility to change the attitudes of children, make them feel they have worth, and point them to the need to work together with high ideals towards a culture of education.
Chief Education Officer, Mrs Rhonda Connor, commended the Organisation for Early Childhood Education for ensuring that each year and entire month are dedicated to recognising the importance of early childhood education in the development of the Anguillian society. “This provides an opportunity for us to focus our attention on our little ones, and to pay tribute to the teachers who have the responsibility of nurturing them and laying the foundation for lifelong learning,” she stated.
The Chief Education Officer added: “Teachers, we are thankful for the amazing job you are doing with our children. It takes commitment and dedication, and love and care, to be able to do what you do and to do it well. Keeping the attention of our little ones and getting them to learn and engage in constructive play, as you begin to nurture the skills necessary for lifelong learning, is no easy task. I therefore place on record the appreciation of the Ministry and Department of Education for the tremendous effort you are making in ensuring that our children are off to a good start.”
Mrs Connor also had some useful advice for parents. “I encourage you to continue supporting the teachers and your children,” she urged. “I am sure you recognise that this stage of your children’s educational development is just as important as any other. Show interest in your children’s accomplishments. Make sure that you give them the praise and encouragement necessary to build their self-confidence. Support the activities of their school and get involved wherever possible.”
Earlier, during the launch ceremony of Early Childhood Month, Mrs Patricia Beard gave a rundown of the establishment and development of preschool education in Anguilla and her involvement in that process as a specially-trained teacher. She presented an award to the St. Mary’s Preschool for being the island’s longest serving early childhood education centre.
The programme for the event was interspersed with items of song by groups of preschool children, to the delight of their parents and teachers.
