ESTHER Tyson is veteran award-winning educator, former principal and vice-principal of notable high schools in Jamaica, an author and advisor, coach, consultant, assessor, board member, and my general paper teacher at the incomparable St Andrew High School for Girls.

This month Tyson will receive the national award – Order of Distinction (Commander Class) for her exemplary service in education. Women and Faith caught up with the trailblazing educator to learn more about her secret to success and how she overcomes struggles in life.

Q: What would you describe as your superpower?

A: I would say that my superpower is my dependence on Jesus Christ. I seek his guidance in all that I do. This means I spend time reading the Bible for guidance and praying for direction when I have decisions to make. So, for example, when I was going to Ardenne High School as principal in January 2000, I went on a personal retreat and during that time studied the life of David as a leader. That study was very instructive to me in how I functioned in my role.

Q: What would you describe as your main weakness.

A: My husband told me that when I was much younger that I was naïve. I never thought so at the time. It was not until I was in my 30s that I realised that I had to agree with him. You see, I tended to believe that most people thought the way I did. Then I began to have experiences with people who disabused me of that way of thinking. I was no longer as trusting as I previously tended to be.

Q: Describe one of your greatest challenges during the course of your life and how your faith in God helped you to overcome or to go through it.

A: Those who know me know that I have had to deal with some difficult situations in my life. These are all related to my husband of 43 years, Rawle Tyson. In 1997, Tuesday, December 23, he was shot by gunmen on his fish farm while selling fish to the vendors. His farm manager was killed and he was left to die. As a result of that attack, his left lung and diaphragm were damaged, his spinal cord was cut and spinal column shattered. He became a paraplegic with no sensation below T7 in his chest. He still functions from a wheelchair. Our three children were young, the oldest was 15, the second was 12, and our last child was 10 years old. It really changed our lives.

Then after learning to function with his wheelchair as his legs, Rawle completed his doctorate of ministries at Columbia Theological Seminary/University Theological College of the West Indies in 2004. He had a very active ministry as a pastor at our church, became spokesman on forgiveness for MedHaven Ministers’ Fraternal, and ran his fish farm from his wheelchair. He was also a counsellor to many and a marriage officer. I admired my husband; he is an overcomer. Unexpectedly, with no medical explanation, in April 2004 he suffered a massive stroke that resulted in his having Broca’s aphasia. This affected the communication centre of his brain. His speech went, his spelling went, and his ability to read was significantly impaired. Furthermore, after the neurologist and the speech pathologist assessed him, they told me he would never talk again, that 90 per cent of his understanding had been destroyed, and that his peripheral vision had been destroyed. It was devastating.

But God!

My husband is a fighter, he has a very positive approach to life. His smile is an encouragement to so many. When asked how he is doing, his answer usually is, “I am happy and I am healthy”. He speaks to a limited extent, reads a bit, but cannot spell. On the other hand, he has mastered many skills, such as creating videos. He has many followers on social media.

There is no doubt that I could not have overcome these challenges without my strong faith in Jesus Christ. When I get down and feel overwhelmed, I take a personal retreat, whether a day or a weekend, and spend time in His presence. I return to my normal life with renewed hope and faith. There is no other way that I can overcome in my situation.

Q: What is your practical advice to women who are going through a tough season of struggle?

A: My advice is, first of all, learn to trust Jesus Christ and depend on Him totally. His Holy Spirit will strengthen and guide you no matter what your struggle is. In addition, have close friends or family members that you can unload on. These must be people who you trust implicitly. Call on them when you need support. If you need to, go to a godly counsellor.

Join us next week for another inspiring story on women and faith.

Passionate about faith and women empowerment, Shelly-Ann Mair-Harris has served on the board of women’s rights organisations and is the author of several publications, including God’s Woman and The Goodies on Her Tray. A woman of faith for several years, Shelly-Ann is also an award-winning playwright and poet as well as a trained and experienced media, marketing, change management, and strategic communications professional.