Reverend Glen Archer, the man, who for close to 40 years dedicated his life towards moulding some of the nation’s brightest minds, was yesterday remembered as the ultimate educator, whose contribution to Jamaica was beyond mere words.  

“Archer was a colossal figure in the field of education, who mastered the art of honing young minds to aspire,” said Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites during a Thanksgiving Service held at Ardenne High School in Kingston where Archer, the most decorated Spelling Bee coach in Jamaica, with 26 national champions, taught for 37 years.

Archer passed away on February 15, after spending several months in hospital, due to kidney failure and its related complications. He was 61.

“He was a giant among us,” said Reverend Adinhair Jones, executive chairman of the Church Of God Jamaica in his address to the hundreds who turned out to pay their final respects.

But yesterday as the tribute flowed, emotions ran deep from relatives and those who would have benefited from the teachings of Archer. The popular sentiment was that despite his tremendous contributions towards the development of the country, Jamaica had failed to return the support to Archer at the time when he needed it most.

“I am a bit disappointed that after so many years of contributing towards the development of the nation’s youth that when he needed it most, help was not forthcoming for Rev Archer,” said Rommell Newby, former spelling Bee champion. “Is this how we treat a national treasure as a country?” asked Newby, who spoke about the many struggles Archer faced while alive and even more so in his final days on his sick bed.  

Family members of Archer shared similar sentiments. But the most stunning comments came from his  brother, Gene Archer who said that during his days on his sick bed, Archer had expressed disappointment that more Jamaicans had not come on board to help his cause.

“He said something which I say very cautiously. I was here in December taking care of him and he said ‘Gene I am broken hearted’,” said the elder sibling. “He felt that his country had let him down to some degree, not the people per say but moreso the powers that be who were in a position to do more for him…We need to pay more attention and cherish the people who can influence our country because Glen was not self-serving, his brilliance was a shared brilliance where he poured out his life for ours.”  

Maureen Boyd, cousin of Archer spoke of the sacrifice he made to help children while he was alive.

“So many times family members asked Archer to leave the country and his response was that the children of the Jamaica needed him.

“I am sorry that the leaders in this country saw it at a late time to step up to the plate and help Glen,” said Boyd who called on authorities to put things in place to ensure that more was done to identify and give greater support to persons who were carrying out projects such as the one Archer was part of.

“When you see someone like this struggling, who has done so much, next time please step up to the plate,” urged Boyd.

Hanif Brown, 2011 Spelling Bee Champion in his tribute said: “Reverend Archer epitomised what supererogation was,” bringing back memories of words that Archer himself would use while teaching his students as they prepared for Spelling Bee Championship.