Members of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union, and other educators in the teaching fraternity, have probably returned to their classrooms with the theme of their week of activities still ringing in their ears.
That theme, “Teachers Leading in Crisis and Re-imagining the Future”, was urged on them by five main speakers at their mass Biennial Conference at the Rodney Rey Auditorium on Friday, October 9. The speakers were the Minister of Education and Social Development, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers; Chief Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney; former President of the Teachers’ Union, Dr. Michelle Queeley, now Dean of Studies at the Anguilla Community College; and Mr. Chris Richardson, an Internationally Certified Public Speaker and Trainer in Anguilla, who delivered the feature address; and Pastor Dwayne Adams.
Minister Kentish-Rogers described the theme “as a fitting one for this unprecedented year 2020.” She continued: “Covid-19 has created a crisis that we have not experienced before. It has caused our teachers to stop, drop and think outside the box -and to work under extremely stressful circumstances. It is meant that all of us in education must re-imagine the future in light of the new normal. Teachers, bravo to you! Give yourselves a round of applause. You have done an amazing job. While we should be thankful to teachers every day of the year for what they do, I will take this opportunity of Teachers’ Appreciation Week to commend you.
“Over the past few months, there have been countless jokes about how Covid-19 has made parents more appreciative of teachers. Parents have learnt that teaching is extremely hard work. But, all jokes aside, it should not take a crisis like Covid-19 to demonstrate how important teachers are. Words are not simply enough to convey our gratitude for what you do. You are truly leaders. Your reach and your influence are beyond compare. You shape the future of this nation. And much of what becomes of our people depends upon you.
“There are many factors that influence the lives of our children – but you are a major player and you must never under-estimate the extent of your power…With power comes responsibility. Use that power to the betterment of our children and, by extension, to the betterment of our nation. Thank you for undertaking this Herculean task.”
Chief Education Officer, Mr. Bren Romney, stated: “I find the theme appropriate for the transition we all know must be made, but we are uncertain as to what it would mean for education, your school or the students under your care. This is what excites me most as I realise what education in Anguilla could be. I firmly believe that we have the talented, qualified and passionate teachers in all of our schools – and they account for the majority of teachers in the wider teaching fraternity.”
Dr. Michelle Queeley traced the period during which she served as President of the Teachers’ Union and the challenges the organisation encountered. “It bears pointing out that each term was punctuated by a different kind of crisis (the near collapse of the Union in 2015, Hurricane Irma in 2017, and now Covid-19 in 2020),” she stated. “Each crisis accelerated unprecedented change requiring us to step back as your leaders; to examine the way forward in uniquely uncertain circumstances; and forge ahead in moments of ambiguity. Each crisis required us to identify creative, unconventional ways to operate and survive.”
The former Anguilla Teachers’ Union President went on: “With the Covid-19 crisis staring us in the face amidst other shifts on the planet, like climate change, our Union and, by extension all of us as teachers, are urged to innovate in our leadership spaces. We are urged to inspire, to lift up the downtrodden ensuring that no child is left behind. We are urged, as teachers, and leaders, to inculcate positive attitudes of adjustment; and to initiate positive change. Essentially, we are urged to build individual and institutional resilience.”
The feature speaker, Chris Richardson, quoting his friend and mentor, John Maxwell, spoke about five levels of leadership as follows: Level 1 – Position, the lowest level of leadership; Level 2 – Permission, based on relationship; Level 3 – Production, how the best leaders motivate their people to get things done; Level 4 – People Development, how to identify and develop persons as leaders; and Level 5 – Pinnacle, the highest level of leadership.
Mr. Richardson concluded his feature address as follows: “As leaders and agents of change, I wish to sum up this presentation with reminding all, of the twenty-one indispensable qualities of a leader as defined by renowned teacher, John C Maxwell: Character; Charisma; Commitment; Communication; Competence; Courage; Discernment; Focus; Generosity; Initiative; a leader who listens; a leader with Passion; a leader possessing a positive attitude; a leader who is a problem solver; a leader ready to develop relationships; a leader who demonstrates a level of security; a leader who is self-disciplined; a leader putting others first – servanthood; a teachable leader; a leader of responsibility; and a leader with vision.”
During the Teachers’ Biennial Conference, Pastor Dwayne Adams of the Central Baptist Church – a Teacher – delivered words of inspiration. He took the opportunity to admonish his colleagues about showing leadership in crisis and how to prepare for difficult times in the future.
All the addresses were of significant benefit to the teachers; and provided much guidance for them in managing their classrooms and adapting to the changing and challenging times of teaching.
