IN her younger years, Jennifer Finnigan was envious of anybody who could sing, dance or produce anything artistic. She confessed that she often questioned God about the reasons she was ‘unskilled’. But 15 years ago…eureka! Finnigan said she discovered her skill.

Dubbed by her friends as the master of English language, she was often called upon to assist students who were struggling with the language. She realised this was her niche.

Armed with this ‘new-found skill’ Finnigan placed an advertisement in the newspaper offering her tutoring service. To date, this is the only ad that she has placed in the newspaper, since recommendations and referrals from clients have provided more than enough students yearly.

Three years ago, Finnigan, who worked as a human resource manager, lost her job when her position was made redundant. Unfazed by this obstacle, she was able to make the transition from part-time teacher of English to full-time educator. She had found her dream and was now able to pursue her passion.

“When I lost my job in 2012, I was pretty happy; I thanked them. For the first time I had the opportunity to truly hone my skills. It also meant that I would finally have the time to help as many people as I could allow myself to,” Finnigan said.

She told the Jamaica Observer that the quality of the national English and mathematics examination passes present a particular challenge for her. A personal assessment of the situation engendered a yearning to make a difference. She came to the realisation that students were in need of instructors who were patient, motivating, and dedicated to their students’ success.

“I knew that I wanted to help these students, and the success of my students was proof of my competence. I am now a part-time teacher at four renowned educational centres, including Quality Academics, New Approach Learning Centre, University College of the Caribbean, and Excelsior Community College. I also provide private tutoring for students pursuing English-based courses at other universities,” Finnigan informed Career & Education.

The Mico College diploma-trained teacher of English and library studies has risen in popularity in the Corporate Area by virtue of her track record.

One student, Andre Palmer, who recently received a grade two at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) level after five years of attempting the subject, said Finnigan has the power to help any student.

“She is an amazing teacher. She creates an environment of discipline, and until you can get things right she motivates you to continue trying. She demands discipline and respect, and I believe her personality separates her from the rest,” Palmer continued.

Seventeen-year-old Dhana Hinds said that Finnigan is a tough teacher who is hard to please, but this helps her to appreciate her more.

“Miss (Finnigan) is tough, she always wants you to get things right; it doesn’t matter how much you have to try. But that makes her a great teacher,” Hinds confirmed.

Finnigan said the students know her standards and understand that they are expected to live up to them. The proud educator admits that she does not aim to be her students’ friend. She said that she is strict and demands much from her charges.

“My students have to have the right attitude, they must be willing to embrace motivation, and they should be respectful, punctual and eager to learn,” Finnigan told Career & Education.

This strong personality, described by some students as stern and army-like, has earned her with the title ‘don’ by the principal of Quality Academics, one of the institutions at which she lectures.

“I am a spontaneous teacher. I provide interesting ways for my students to learn. I utilise technology and often allow them to use their smartphones in executing different activities. We also have debates, and these generate interest among them because they are competitive. This way I also help them to develop on their oral skills,” Finnigan said.

She added that, while utilising different learning techniques is important to increased student participation and, by extension, their success, the efforts of many teachers are often defeated when they allow their students to speak the native language loosely in their classes.

“I think one of the secrets to my success is that all my children must speak English in my class, even if it means stumbling on their words. Unlike some proponents who believe that you should allow students to feel comfortable with patois, I make them feel uncomfortable using it. In fact, I declare a caveat in my class: I am the only one who is allowed to speak patois,” Finnigan said.

She stresses that the importance of this most fundamental principle is realised then students will continue to relapse, and suggests that it is unfair to ask them to be tested in a language to which they do not have adequate exposure.

Finnigan adds that schools must place value on the spoken English, because they lack their competence and familiarity of form a large part of the weaknesses in its use. She wishes more parents were like her adopted mother, a teacher herself, who taught her the importance of English from very early, even though she never quite understood initially why other children in the neighbourhood were allowed to play all the time and she was not.

The accomplished instructor said the low level of English literacy is a cause for concern. But she remains excited by the challenge to effect change among those who struggle with English. She expressed a particular interest in working with students that other educators have labelled as lost causes because then, she can challenge herself.

“I cannot prove myself with a ‘bright’ child. Send a child to me that others have given up on, once they have the right attitude,” Finnigan advised.