Today , educators who have dedicated their lives to moulding the minds of the nation’s children are recognised for their hard work.

Yesterday, Jamaica Observer reporter Racquel Porter asked a few people to recount their best memory of a teacher who impacted their lives. This is what they had to say:

DANIELLE SAVORY

FLOW“My favourite was Mrs Sharon Brown-Whyte at Campion (College); she was actually my sixth-form business teacher. The reason I say she shaped my life is that she introduced me to the world of marketing. When we did marketing, it was like the whole world opened up for me. I remember she let us enter this marketing challenge competition, as students, and we actually won, so that was really cool. Apart from that, she was down-to-earth. She rapped with the students… I am not sure if she is still at Campion, but big up, Mrs Brown-Whyte, anywhere you are.”

FLOYD GREEN

Ministry of Education, Youth and Information“My favourite teacher is, by far, my mother; that is really because she is a teacher. She has taught art and crafts for over 35 years and was my biggest teacher but (I) also appreciated her passion for teaching and how she was passionate about the outcome of other children. I think that made the greatest impact on my life of service. Outside of that, I guess that at every level I had a teacher who has made an indelible contribution. At the early childhood level, I remember Ms Beepot. She was so amazing; she was my very first memory of a teacher. I remember just because I felt so much care from her and so much love, and then she had to leave. I was so devastated. That was at Lucea Preparatory School in Hanover, and that was the infant department, and then we moved on to Ms Lodge at Munro Prep in St Elizabeth and then at Munro College, I think Ms Nation was the first teacher who really inspired me and told me that I was born to be great. She was always telling me that I am going to go on to great things. There was a time when I didn’t believe her, and then she made me believe. That is what teachers do; they expand your horizon. Mr Harle, who was a staple at Monro, God rest his soul, really did a lot in terms of discipline and in terms of getting us focused as boys. His wife, Mrs Harle, who was the librarian, not a teacher per se, was a teacher in her own right and I mean she, in her own way, made such a significant mark on all of us on the campus.” 

IMONI JONES

Hope Zoo“Ms Webley, a teacher at the Tarrant High School, impacted my life. She is an inspiration. She was the very first teacher who saw potential in me and recommended me to do subjects in grade nine. She pushed me, she mentored me, she gave good advice, and she was there with me through the entire CXC process. I got a two in Home and Family Management. Thank you, Ms Webley, for believing in me. Thank you for helping me to focus more on my lessons because it impacted my life.”

GAYE ROBERTSON

Homestead Place of Safety“The teacher who impacted my life is Mrs Beckford from Stony Hill All-Age; it is now known as Stony Hill Primary and Junior High. She was my first teacher. There are certain things that she instilled in me, certain things that she taught me that I am passing on to other people today. Whenever there was teacher’s meeting she would assign me to that particular class as prefect for that day. I hope the best for you. You have done a lot for me, and I really appreciate it.”

COLLEEN LINDSAY-BANKS

Glenhope Nursery“I attended the Trinity Ville Secondary School in St Thomas. I graduated in 1986. There was a teacher by the name of Ms Fearon; she was very patient. She impacted my life. I was kind of a mysterious student and she impacted my life. She would take me after school and help me to read and do my homework before I went home because she knew that I really didn’t have the time when I got home. She is still alive and I just want to big her up today.”

MICHAEL BENJAMIN

Hope Zoo“Ms Powell from Rousseau Primary impacted my life. She was like a mother to me. If you didn’t do your homework she ensured it was done before you leave school in the evening and then she would give you another one to go home and do. Ms Powell, I love you same way.”