Last Friday 27th November, teachers across the island took to the polls at the Orealia Kelly Primary School to elect officers to lead the Anguilla Teachers’ Union (ATU) for the biennial term 2015 to 2017. Elections were held under the watchful eyes of Mr. Rodney Rey, chair of the elections subcommittee and former ATU president, secretary and executive member of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT).
Ms. Michelle Queeley gained a convincing victory at the polls to lead the ATU forward. As newly elected President of the Union, Ms. Queeley heads a completely new slate of officers comprising:
President – Ms. Michelle Queeley
1st Vice President – Mrs. Tracelyn Hamilton
2nd Vice President – Ms. Shauna Connor
Secretary – Ms. Lisa Anthony
Treasurer – Mrs. Ethne Richardson
Assistant Secretary/Treasurer – Ms. Rebecca HaskinsNominated Members – Mrs. Natasha Welcome and Mrs. Sabrina Darr-Boodram
Speaking to the media, President Queeley says: “I have answered the call to leadership at a very challenging time in the life of the ATU, but I am not at all disheartened. I will tap into my inner resources, my past and present leadership experiences, and the resources of my able team to make things happen. I know that hard work lies ahead, but I think I have a great team, and teamwork will definitely make the dream work.”
Ms. Queeley takes this opportunity to publicly thank all teachers who participated in the voting process, and especially those who invested their confidence and trust in her team to move the organization forward. While offering congratulations to the rest of her team, she vows that they will, among other things, collaborate with all stakeholders in Anguilla to execute programmes and strategies geared towards building the capacity of the Union and enhancing the quality of education for students, and the professional and personal lives of teachers on a whole. She also looks forward to the support of government and the general public in the Union’s endeavors.