“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” — Leonardo da Vinci

This maxim embodies Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College’s founding “father”/principal, the late Dr Simon Clarke. The college family hails Dr Clarke for his extraordinary contribution to education worldwide and, more specifically, teacher education in Jamaica.

Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College is elated to call Dr Clarke our premier institution’s founding father/principal. We are committed to preserving the legacy that you have left us.

Dr Clarke was appointed as the inaugural principal of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in 1975. He wasted no time in ensuring that all student-teachers of this noble institution embraced its motto: ‘Service, Commitment and Excellence’. He initiated many programmes that allowed student-teachers to live up to the mantra of being committed to serving with excellence. As a result, the college’s graduates are known for their efficiency, competence, and high standards with which they carry out their responsibilities.

Dr Clarke was a trailblazer who found several ingenious ways to forge alliances between the college and the wider community. These initiatives include the iconic ‘Music at Six’ concerts, which saw student-teachers getting a deeper understanding of the Jamaican culture through interactions with groups such as the coveted Jamaica Folk Singers, The Military Band and many local and international performers who appeared monthly at these concerts.

Dr Clarke was also instrumental in nurturing the musical talents of the Granville community through the formation of a community marching band. Today this band is not just a marching band but also a concert band and performs a wide range of genres for diverse audiences under the name, The Young Jamaican Assemble of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College.

Recently, the band copped several national awards in the 2023, National Performing Arts Championships of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) including, Most Outstanding Instrumental Ensemble, 2023.

The college and its surrounding communities, especially Granville, developed a mutually beneficial and uplifting synergy during Dr Clarke’s tenure at the institution. Many of the initiatives credited to Dr Clarke’s insight and commitment still exist today. The “Annual Lunch Sacrifice” is one such programme where students give up their lunches to the less fortunate in a bid better to understand the life/plight of the less privileged.

Dr Clarke envisioned the college as a learning centre for pre- and in-service teachers. During the summers, he arranged seminars and workshops through partnerships with international and local agencies. This visionary believed this was critical in the holistic development of the teacher practitioners. One of the first partnerships saw students and teachers journeying from Germany to Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College to do courses to improve the quality of education offered at the college.

Dr Clarke was also credited with initiating the collaboration between the college and Organization of American States (OAS) and Central Connecticut State University. Through these collaborations, the college built the first computer laboratory in a Jamaican education institution and was the first institution to offer computer education courses to Jamaican teachers.

In her reflections, Dr Clarke’s former student, Dr Harris-Mortley, current principal lecturer Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, remembers Dr Clarke as a visionary and transactional leader. “He served with diligence and a purpose to empower students. Dr Clarke encouraged all persons [staff and students] to engender growth for the institution as well as personal advancement,” Dr Harris-Mortley recounts. She also noted, “Dr Clarke had a sharp memory, he knew all his students by name, and if there is a connection with a sibling or family member, he does not forget. His principal hour was educative, informative, and therapeutic.” Dr Harris-Mortley also shared memories of Dr Clarke being very instrumental in rallying the college’s student body to assist with homework and parent programmes in the community as well as promoted industry through kitchen and college farm duties.

Similar sentiments about Dr Clarke were echoed by former student and lecturer at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Sonia Graham. “Since 1981, Dr Simon Clarke’s name has always been mentioned in my household. My mother Mrs Veronice Williams [now deceased] enrolled at the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in that year, and I followed in 1982. Dr Simon Clarke demonstrated qualities that were enviable by any aspiring educator. He was a motivator who inspired us as students to reach for the best and to let nothing obstruct our destiny. After many years of graduating, on every occasion that he saw me, he would greet me by name and ask about the well-being of my mother.” Graham continued, “The many lessons I have learned from Dr Clarke included excellence, quality service, dedication to task, integrity and justice, which I hope to continue living by. Rest well, Sir Clarke. You have done your best for the world.”

Current lecturer and Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College alumnus, Donovon Doyley, lauded Dr Clarke as “greatness personified”. This mathematics guru aptly quoted the bard, William Shakespeare, to eulogise Dr Clarke, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” (William Shakespeare). “You, Dr Clarke, were born great and went ahead to achieve greatness. In addition, you have shown every one of us what true greatness means,” Doyley declared. “You made everybody happy; you mentored many of us into greatness. You were not the only great one; you made all of us great too. I have never met a great personality like you. The memories of the good time we shared will forever remain a treasure. You are a man with a great heart of service, you get things done easily and sacrifice a lot for others.”

He also labelled Dr Clarke’s contribution to community development as ‘first-class’. “Death is painful; however, death taking a precious jewel like you is more painful. You are a man with a good heart who cared so much about friends and family. You contributed to the development of every person you met on your path, and you never seized to be an inspiration to all. The memory of the righteous is blessed. You may be gone, but your memory is always with us. You left a good and great imprint in our hearts with your kindness, love, and sacrifice. Thank you for a life well spent. Adieu, sir,” Doyley.

The Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College family salutes our founding father/principal, who was greatly decorated with numerous awards for his invaluable contribution to the nation, the region, and the world. His awards include the Order of Distinction from the Government of Jamaica; The Centenary Medal from the Institute of Jamaica; The UNIA Marcus Garvey Centenary Award for outstanding service to Africans at home and abroad (1987) and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Roll of Honour 1997, to list a few.

This astounding educator also served the Jamaican society as a deacon in the Calvary Baptist Church, Montego Bay, justice of the peace, and special advisor to the governor general. He served as a member on the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) board and numerous other organisations directly related to education and community development.

Dr Simon Clarke, we cherish your legacy and the nuggets of wisdom you have left us, such as these words, “There is no time for doubt or negative thoughts that whatever the assignment, whatever the challenge, we can do it.”

Covell Hall Golding is senior lecturer at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College.