Educators, grouped in the Anguilla Teachers Union (ATU), have come away from their 2016 Biennial Conference, and celebration of World Teachers’ Day, with renewed encouragement and commitment to carry out their work within the best tenets of the noble teaching profession.
The mass conference, at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium, on Friday, October 7, had as its theme “Unity in Diversity: One Mission, Many Pathways.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, told the teachers: “The Ministry and Department of Education have always sought to foster links with the Anguilla Teachers’ Union. We ensure that, as far as possible, there is a Union voice in decisions which may affect teachers. It is our position that the relationship between the Ministry and the Union should be a collaborative one based on mutual respect and understanding. All of us, whether we are in the classroom, middle, or senior management, or administration, have a single purpose which is reflected in the Mission Statement for Education – and I quote: Providing quality education services through highly motivated and competent educators to produce loyal, knowledgeable, and skilled citizens of sound character empowered to function effectively in a rapidly-changing technological society.”
She went on: “In fulfilling that mission, all of us have a role to play and our success depends on how well each of us fulfils our role individually and how we work collectively. It won’t always be easy. There will be disagreements along the way. There will be times when you may feel that the Ministry or the Department doesn’t understand your challenges – or is not sympathetic to your situation. However, if we remember that we are all in this together, we are much more likely to…achieve our objectives.”
The Permanent Secretary was particularly pleased that the teaching force was made up of a wide cross-section of individuals of different nationalities. She believed that the most important factor was not so much nationality but their level of dedication. “This goes for Anguillians and non-Anguillians alike. Once you are dedicated to teaching our nation’s children, we welcome and embrace you,” she added.
President of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union, Ms. Michele Queeley, told her teaching counterparts: “This week of celebration has called attention to the fact that it doesn’t matter if you function as a preschool teacher or college lecturer. It doesn’t matter if your strength is science, physical education, woodwork or literature. Your mission is the same.
“I therefore call on us, as we move forward, to work towards achieving cultural competence: that ability to work effectively across cultures in a way that acknowledges and respect the differences among us; that ability to form authentic and effective relationships across differences.”
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Julian Monrose of St. Lucia, President of the Caribbean Union of Teachers. He commented that “the Anguilla Teachers’ Union may be small in number – but on the regional scene it is a very powerful organisation.”
He commended the newly-elected President, Ms. Michelle Queeley, for her leadership and encouraged her and the members of the ATU to continue their good work and excellent teaching service.
“We must speak with a common voice as educators, and when we speak we must ask everyone to help us,” he advised the teachers. “We must not be afraid to speak out, to stand up, and ensure that the education system has the resources etc. because, at the end of the day, when things go wrong, we are the ones who will get the blame.”
Mr. Monrose was delighted to be in Anguilla and to meet with the President of the ATU, her colleagues, and officials of the Ministry and Department of Education to whom he offered his best wishes.
A number of past ATU Presidents were presented with awards for their service over the years. They were: Mr. Franklyn (Kelly) Richardson, Mr. Darwin Hazell, Mr. Rodney Rey, Mr. Worrell Brooks, Mr. Bernard Wattley, Ms. Celestine John, Mr. Leroy Hill and Ms. Emma Ferguson.
The opening ceremony of the conference was ably chaired by Mrs. Janine Edwards, Managing Director of Sunset Homes and a leading community worker in Anguilla. Other participants included Pastor Juliet Simon, and Mr. Rondy Isles-Carty who led the devotions which preceded the conference; and the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School Concert Band for the music and dance performances.
The conference included a professional development session on Financial Planning conducted by Ms. Vanessa Connor of the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla; a business session by the Anguilla Teachers’ Union which dealt with constitutional reform; and the nomination and election of an Assistant Secretary among other matters.
