Heather Gumbs, a well known teacher and mentor to many, attended the Anguilla Community College in 2013. After being a teacher for over 30 years, she thought it necessary to pursue and complete her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.
“I’ve been a teacher for as long as I can remember”, Tr. Heather claimed. She taught at the Woodbine Preschool in 1982, just prior to transferring to her current place of employment, what was , Prophecy Preschool in 1999, where she has been the principal ever since.
Attending the college part time while maintaining a full time job is a task that shows the willingness and determination of anyone who pursues it. “I had to adapt to the classroom after being out of the setting for many years”, Tr. Heather stated, “but my teachers at Prophecy would uplift me and remind me of my motive. I never lost sight because I was enthused and empowered to continue in the area.” She was also a part of the Humanities and Education Advisory Board that ensured the interests of the students at the ACC, faculty members, and community stakeholders were met and represented in the decision-making process when they sat with the Director of Division.
Ms. Gumbs’s journey at the ACC consolidated her love for early childhood education. Although at times it was challenging, the material included theories that aligned with the strategies she and her staff had been employing as teachers. This reinforced her devotion and reassured her that what she was doing was meaningful.
Heather is usually asked what is her drive for being a preschool teacher for so long? Her re-sponse, the same every time: “It’s easy when they’re that young. You have the opportunity to mould their minds and instill good in them. When they’re grown up and successful, it warms my heart to know that I played a part in their development.”
Quite interested in guiding persons, she is also a part of a church group called the Evangelism Team. They aim to minister to persons especially prisoners, and introduce goodwill to their hearts.
While attending the college, Ms. Gumbs expressed that she and her classmates had the opportunity to evaluate their lecturers at the end of every session. They also built meaningful relationships with lecturers and faculty members, and had frequent interactions as though they were peers.
Like Heather, the Anguilla Community College has the interests of the community at heart. She is a living testimony that it is never too late to get your degree while pursuing what you love.
Heather Gumbs endorses and supports the ACC “Building People, Community, Nation!”
– Continued
