Teacher in poison attack laid to rest
Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth- Grade three teacher Kerry-Ann Powell who died as a result of being poisoned in November was laid to rest earlier today.
It is alleged that three persons entered her home in Horizon Park, just outside of Santa Cruz, where she and her companion were attacked with the poisonous chemical. Her companion survived.
Powell died in hospital leaving nine-year-old twin daughters who reportedly witnessed the early morning incident.
A Diploma-trained graduate of the Bethlehem Teachers’ College, Powell served the teaching profession for four years at the Park Mountain Primary, her alma mater.
Powell, at the time of her death, was in the process of completing a Bachelors degree in Education at the International University of the Caribbean (IUC).
She was remembered as a “promising” educator who was always willing to contribute to all aspects of school life.
“Our team is no longer the same, school is no longer the same, our lives are no longer the same,” said a tribute from the Park Mountain Primary.
Ministry of Education Region 5 representative Rosetta Hanson said that that her team believes that Powell is an educator who is gone too soon but one who gave her all to the profession.
“She loved her students and ensured they were involved and engaged during the teaching and learning process; someone who loved learning and was always inquiring of new strategies to improve her students’ knowledge. Dedicated, committed and energetic…,” was how the 30-year-old woman was described.
Newell Rhoden, a lecturer at the IUC, in relating his memories said he was told that the evening before the morning she died, even though she complained that she did not get to study for a test that was scheduled because of appraisal at work, the result was excellent.
Police have since charged a woman, identified as the estranged wife of Powell’s companion, with housebreaking and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
She was granted bail in the sum of $400,000 and is to return to the Santa Cruz Residents Magistrate’s court on January 20.
Alicia Sutherland
