During the annual Speech Night event of the Albena Lake –Hodge Comprehensive School on Thursday, December 10th, special recognition was accorded to a noble teacher, Mrs. Celestine John, who had been a longstanding educator, but who was now retired from the service as a public educator.
Teacher Celestine joined the teaching profession as far back as 1974 when she began to teach at the Road Primary School, now the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School.
In the Speech Night programme, she was highly praised for her outstanding work by Mrs. Charmaine Richardson, also a teacher at the school, who elaborated upon her years of service: “Teacher Celestine set out to embrace her responsibilities as a teacher in 1974 with much enthusiasm, not knowing that teaching would become her lifelong profession. But at the end of that school year, her Principal, the late Mr. Adrian Hazell, stated that she liked teaching and possessed a willingness to attend a course of study to improve what would eventually become her professional career.”
Mrs. Richardson noted that as a certified teacher, Teacher Celestine became invested in the noble vocation and pursued a course in Special Education at Mico Teachers College in Jamaica. Mrs. Richardson said: “The efficiencies with which Teacher Celestaine executed her duties did not go unnoticed upon her return from her studies in Jamaica. She was subsequently appointed as Principal of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School.
“Of the many positions she has held in the teaching profession, working with the most vulnerable students has been her most fulfilling task. Teacher Celestine retired in 2013, but her desire to continue to be of service to the Special Needs student population prompted her to return as Lead Teacher at the new DOVE 2 Centre of the ALHCS which was opened in 2016.”
Mrs. Richardson continued: “Teacher Celestine has served in the teaching profession in ways that transcend the classroom or the school building. She served for many years as President of the Anguilla Teachers Union, and she is currently the Acting Chairperson of the ALHCS’s Board of Governors.”
In placing on record the school’s gratitude for Teacher Celestine’s service, Mrs. Richardson stressed: “All who know her can attest to the fact that she is a reliable individual – ever ready, willing and able to give of her love, care and expertise. The ALHCS is grateful to Teacher Celestine for her years of service as Lead Teacher of DOVE 2, since its inception. We wish her the very best on this, her second retirement – and in all her future endeavours.”
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
