THE chapters in the life story of Kasan Troupe, principal of Denbigh High, are sometimes as dramatic as a bestselling novel — with conflict, suspense, action and triumph.

Troupe’s animated, upbeat disposition and drive belie the hurdles she crossed as a young girl growing up in the inner city community of Greenwich Town, to become an accomplished educator, youth advocate and a sought-after motivational speaker as well as this year’s Governor-General’s Achievement Award recipient for the parish of St Catherine.

At age 11, a troubled Kasan Troupe was sent to a rehabilitation camp organised by Hope for Children Development Company, in an effort to steer her life in the right direction.

“From early I’d started to respond to the negative influences that were around me. I grew up in a communal-type environment in a single-parent household. I never knew my father. He had 25 children and migrated to the United States when I was a child. Growing up in my community was a matter of trying to survive. The norm was for everyone to fit in and I did just that,” she explained.

She said there were frequent flare ups of violence, and three times she had “near-death experiences trying to escape the bullets of gunmen”.

“I spent two summers in the rehabilitation programme and the administrators were so pleased about the transformation they saw in me that they recruited me as a counsellor in training to work with other troubled children. At age 14 I became a counsellor in training and later an administrator of the programme and the people in the community respected me so much that they started to call me ‘Miss Kasan’.”

She then established the Hope Visioneers Youth Club at 14, with assistance from Hope for Children, in an effort to provide opportunities for young people. During that time she also taught summer school annually, helping to prepare students for the Common Entrance examinations. It was this experience that led her to develop her love for teaching.

Later, at Trench Town Comprehensive High where she was head girl, young Troupe’s life was further moulded by teachers who saw the potential she had.

“Fortunately I had teachers who believed in my ability and would encourage me. I was therefore always motivated to perform well, as I couldn’t let them down,” she said.

“I gained nine Caribbean Examination Council subjects with six grade ones, and was the valedictorian for my graduating class. I was also awarded the principal’s trophy for being the most outstanding student.”

Having experienced a transformation in her own life, Troupe was then resolute about forging a career that would enable her to impact positively on the lives of young people.

As such she enrolled at Mico Teachers’ College, now The Mico University College, where she gained an honours diploma in secondary education with a major in guidance and counselling. Her outstanding performance also resulted in her being awarded the Tastee trophy for being the most outstanding student in guidance and counselling.

“I have a passion for young people and want to empower them so that they can become accomplished persons in society. It pains my heart when children do not make use of the opportunity while in school. Sometimes I feel as if I have failed them when they do not succeed,” Troupe stated.

In 2005 Troupe completed a bachelor of science degree with first class honours, having majored in psychology and human resource management at the University of the West Indies. Four years later she gained a master of arts in communication for social and behaviour change, with distinction.

Her thesis on financial literacy, which evolved from a Commonwealth Secretariat Financial Literacy initiative co-sponsored by Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), focused on the spending behaviour of children, and now has a place of honour in the UWI library.

During her time at UWI, she represented the institution in The Bahamas to be trained by the Commonwealth Secretariat as a youth facilitator. Now, she is a consultant with the Financial Services Commission in financial literacy; and, has been awarded the Champion of Youth award 2013 from Junior Achievement Jamaica for her contribution to the development of youth finance in Jamaica.

Currently, Troupe is completing a doctor of education in administrator leadership for teaching and learning at Walden University, and her progress has led to her induction in the International Golden Key Honour Society. Recently, Earl Jarrett, general manager of JNBS, awarded her a scholarship from JNBS to assist with the completion of her doctorate.

“She has been effecting school transformation and applying classic principles of leadership; therefore, as part of the society’s ongoing commitment and contribution to education, JNBS is happy to make this award,” Jarrett stated.

“I have benefited from the benevolence of many persons and organisations throughout my life,” Troupe said. “And, for this reason I have pledged to give back to others so that they too can achieve their dreams.”

This staunch youth advocate and commissioned officer in the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force worked as a guidance counsellor at The Queen’s School for nine years; and later as an education officer with the Ministry of Education from 2009 to 2012.

Principal of Denbigh High School in Clarendon since in 2012, Kasan Troupe, whose philosophy is ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ is on a mission to transform the lives and professional delivery of administrators, educators and students; as well as to improve the image of the school.

A “home-school partnership” which she initiated two years ago at Denbigh High is already proving to be successful, resulting in improved student performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) level passes, particularly in English language and mathematics.

Denbigh, which was recently upgraded to a high school, is ranked first in CSEC and CAPE level mathematics among the newer high schools across the country.

“The pass rate for English language moved from 68 to 82 per cent in 2013, and from 42 per cent to 67 per cent in mathematics in 2014,” Troupe explained.

“And, there was also a significant increase in performance in English literature, moving from 48 per cent to 98 per cent. Approximately 113 students passed seven to 10 subjects. Going forward, our aim is for 90 per cent of the cohort to pass five or more subjects. Presently our figure is at 52 per cent.”

She said this success is due in part to the virtual learning environment which was established to complement the face-to-face approach to teaching and learning as well as facilitating the inclusion of teachers, students and parents in the monitoring of the curriculum.

“Our teachers are quite supportive of the programme and give one hour no-charge classes in English and mathematics after school every week,” the educator pointed out.

To the school population of more than 1,600 students, Troupe is like a mother who is sincerely interested in their personal development, and who readily engages in social activities with them. She maintains strict discipline and has instituted a mechanism for students placed on suspension to be counselled by the Peace and Justice Centre in May Pen. Also, she has introduced a youth financial literacy programme to prepare upper school students on wise money management, an initiative that eventually will be rolled out to the lower school.

Married for 16 years to Richard, dean of discipline at José Marti Technical High School, their union has produced two children, Jahleel and Jahlia. She is a devoted member of the Holiness Christian Church in Rose Town, Kingston, where she and her family worship every Sunday.

Having a demanding career and family commitment while pursuing academic studies can easily absorb most of one’s time, but not so with Troupe. A health and fitness enthusiast, she unwinds by going to the gym, dancing, and once per month, going to the beach.

“I am a good dancer,” she chuckled. “It is a family talent.”