Teachers have been advised to focus on the significance of their own wellbeing as they prepare for the 2026-2027 School Year.
The advice came from Dr. Royette Williams-James, a renowned Caribbean expert in the fields of Mental Health, Trauma and Grief as she presented on the topic “When the Educator is Impacted Too”.
Dr. Williams-James was the Keynote Speaker at the annual Welcome Back Ceremony for all public school educators on Monday, August 31st at the Royal Caribbean Hotel, under the theme: “Educator Wellbeing and Resilience”.
Her content dealt with understanding trauma, recognizing its signs, and building practical resilience against it.
The ceremony gave existing teachers an opportunity to be apprized of new developments that would be affecting their teacher/learner experiences, as well as giving new teachers an opportunity to anticipate embarking on new horizons in their careers in a more informed fashion.
During the ceremony information was given about various teachers’ promotions, changes in school locations were announced, as well as new posts to be undertaken by assigned teachers.
Last week, the Ministry of Education welcomed to the helm the newly appointed Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Tracelyn Hamilton, who has replaced the former Chief, Mr. Bren Romney. In speaking to the educators, Mrs. Hamilton encouraged them to pay keen attention to their health with regard to their wellbeing and resilience, and to treat this as a priority in their lives.
She said that this year’s theme, “Educator Wellbeing and Resilience”, reflects the importance of supporting the people at the centre of the education system. She emphasized the fact that educator wellbeing must regarded as a foundation rather than an after-thought, stressing that “burn out” is by no means a “badge of honour”. She therefore encouraged all educators to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and its effects, and advised them to seek the necessary support.
Mrs. Hamilton also highlighted the resilience that is characteristic of teachers across the education system at all levels of the educational journey – from pre-primary and primary educators to secondary school teachers and supporting students facing academic and personal challenges.
“But I want us to pause and focus on something more foundational than any checklist,” she said. “And that is ‘you’. Our theme this year is ‘Educator Wellbeing and Resilience’. Your wellbeing is the bedrock of all that we hope to achieve together. It is not an after-thought. It is not a luxury for the quiet summer months. It is the bedrock.”
“And just as a house cannot stand without a firm foundation,” the Chief Education Officer said, “our schools cannot thrive unless we make sure that the people who lead in our classrooms are supported, sustained, and given room to refill.”
The new 2026-2027 academic year is scheduled to begin with the resumption of school on Monday, 7th September, 2026.
By: James R. Harrigan
