SANDALS Resorts rolled out the red carpet to more than 450 teachers from 63 schools across Jamaica, to celebrate the 2023 observance of Teachers’ Day.

The teachers were treated to lavish luncheons featuring a gastronomic feast of local cuisine, a health and wellness respite at the beach, superb entertainment, and a gamut of prizes including all-inclusive weekends for two at any participating Sandals resort in Jamaica.

Teachers from St Ann and St Mary were hosted by the Ochi region (Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Sandals Royal Plantation, and Beaches Ocho Rios) to a Health and Wellness Teachers’ Day Extravaganza at Pearly Beach in St Ann.

The activity was staged by the resorts in partnership with the Urban Development Corporation and the North East Regional Health Authority.

During this event teachers benefited from a variety of services including HIV/syphilis testing, Pap smears, cholesterol tests, tetanus shots, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, and general medical check-ups.

Live entertainment and beach olympics organised by the resorts saw teachers winning passes to Dunn’s River Falls and Green Grotto Caves. Four weekends for two to Sandals were also presented.

Educators in the Montego Bay region could not stop raving about the resort’s deluxe luncheon and the care shown to them by the Caribbean’s leading resort. Throughout the event they were showered with gifts, tokens, and day passes. They were also on the receiving end of a power-packed address from award-winning educator and principal of St Mary’s Preparatory School, Dr Anthony Taylor.

Veteran teacher Jaqueline McLeod-Richards from Innswood High School, who ventured to Sandals Montego Bay from St Catherine, was effusive in her praise for the resort’s efforts.

“This is my first time here at Sandals Montego Bay and I now understand how they earned their high reputation for service. It was well worth the drive,” said McLeod-Richards.

She declared that the food was good, the entertainment was great, and the staff was better than the best.

“This Teachers’ Day celebration has given me so much hope and so much to look forward to for next year,” added McLeod-Richards.

Fellow educators hosted by Sandals and Beaches Negril surrendered to the merriment of the afternoon by dancing, dining from exquisite gourmet selections prepared by the resort’s gastronomes, and being serenaded by live vocalists.

“Today was such a good day for us because we felt truly loved and respected. We take great pride in building the nation’s children to reach their fullest potential, and these initiatives are truly the kinds of things that encourage us to continue to do the work,” said Helen Clarke, principal of Happy Hearts Early Childhood Institute who spent her day with the Sandals and Beaches Negril team. Every teacher attending the Negril region’s luncheon was also presented with a special token.

Sandals South Coast treated teachers in the western region to an à la carte luncheon featuring some of the resort’s chef’s top picks inside the popular Eleanor’s restaurant. They also participated in engaging activities, with some teachers winning amazing prizes.

One of two lucky winners of a weekend for two, Shermonique Campbell from Kings Primary School in Westmoreland, shared how elated she was to be one of the day’s biggest winners as this was the first time she was ever winning a prize in a competition of any kind.

“My colleagues and I enjoyed ourselves, and I was overwhelmed when my number was selected in the raffle for the weekend vacation. This is my first time winning something like this so I felt really special and honoured that Sandals South Coast was so intentional in ensuring we felt the love and the feeling of family and support,” Campbell shared.

A total of 10 two-night/three-day stays for two were awarded, and teachers throughout the regions were beside themselves with excitement about the prospects of returning to a Sandals resort with their loved ones.