MONTEGO BAY, St James — Upscale luncheons, luxury weekend giveaways, and a glorious repast of local culinary offerings heralded Teachers’ Day celebrations as Sandals Resorts rolled out the red carpet for more than 400 of the island’s educators to mark the occasion on Wednesday.

“There is no way we can truly thank you for your magnificent efforts in rising to the occasion and educating youths during this pandemic, so today is just a small token of our appreciation,” Sandals Montego Bay General Manager Christopher Elliott told 120 teachers at a special luncheon hosted by the Montego Bay region at his resort.

Elliott, who is from a family of educators, described the teachers as the backbone of the nation and commended them for extolling their virtues, particularly during the past two years during which COVID-19 ravaged the island’s educational system.

The teachers were wined and dined in fine style at Sandals Montego Bay Conference Centre. They were also entertained by members of the resort’s entertainment team and participated in the various events, during which they won weekend stays and day passes for Sandals resorts.

“We want to say a big thank you to Sandals for offering us this amazing experience,” gushed Mount Hannah Primary School Principal Nicholas James, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the teachers. “The fact that you have shown your appreciation for our efforts so royally will help motivate us as we head back into the classroom. You have no idea how much we appreciate coming to your resort and being feted in this fine manner.”

At Sandals South Coast in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, teachers danced, laughed, and dined at a celebratory luncheon catered by the resort’s global gourmet certified chefs whilst being serenaded by the sweet melodies of vocalists from the resort’s entertainment team.

Throughout the luncheon, the educators participated in different activities to cop prizes, with a final raffle draw of two weekend for two prizes going to winners Pameto Linton and Charmaine Samuels, both, coincidentally, from New Works Primary School.

Other schools represented at the luncheon were Peggy Barry Primary & Infant, New Hope Primary, Whitehouse ECI, Bluefield’s Basic, and Kings Primary and Infant.

In Negril, the celebration hosted by Sandals and Beaches Negril was nothing short of sheer excitement for 60 educators from eight schools across Westmoreland and Hanover. The teachers were treated to live performances by the resort’s top performers, personalised bottles of wines for all in attendance, spa teasers, and a delicious Jamaican-inspired lunch buffet.

The day was made extra special with the teachers participating in exciting games and competitions for a chance to win additional prizes.

Winning big on the day were Nadine Jarrett-Salabie from Happy Hearts Early Childhood, and Aneisha Graham-Ewar from Chambers Pen Primary, who both walked away with a two-night/three-day stay at any Sandals resort in Jamaica.

“Thanks to Sandals and Beaches Negril this was an amazing experience. The team catered to us right throughout. The entertainment was wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed the food. I was thrilled because I won a gift basket and was also gifted a bottle of wine. It was great to get the chance to relax because, as teachers, we do work very hard,” said Connie James from West End Infant School.

Jarrett-Salabie agreed, adding, “Today’s Teachers’ Day was one of the best, I have won the ultimate prize of a weekend for two at any Sandals resort in Jamaica. I have always wanted to win this prize and I’m truly elated that this year gifted me with such a blessing. On behalf of all the teachers I would like to say a big thank you to the Sandals and Beaches Negril team.”

In the Ocho Rios region, Sandals feted more than 200 teachers from schools across the parishes of St Mary and St Ann at the resort’s ballroom with pomp and pageantry.

Zion Hill Primary Principal Lenford Purcell, an educator for more than 40 years, walked away with the 40th anniversary prize.

Said Purcell: “Having worked these many years as a mathematics teacher and now as a principal, and to be recognised by Sandals Resorts International is one of my proudest feats. I’m grateful for the team and the work that they continue to put into making the parishes more productive by providing quality work for residents and today in giving back to us as teachers.”

Winner of a weekend for two, Verene Morgan from Lewisburgh Primary and Infant School, said she especially wanted to thank Sandals Executive Chairman Adam Stewart for annually making this event possible to recognise so many of the nation’s teachers.

“We can always count on this extra special expression of recognition and we are truly appreciative,” she said.