WHILE it was a period of stressful uncertainty for many, for Marsha Guiness, COVID-19 was a time of endless possibilities.

The educator of 29 years at Kingston Technical High School says the pandemic gave her a chance to utilise an abundance of innovation, and a perfect opportunity to reinvent herself.

Being a person who uses challenges as an opportunity, she explored the new educational landscape.

“I launched Guiness Online Business Academy [GOBA] in 2021 where I offered private classes for those who wanted to explore new courses. CAPE [Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination] entrepreneurship unit 1 and customer service were introduced to fifth-form students and private candidates — one of them was my 12-year-old daughter who recently started attending Convent of Mercy ‘Alpha’,” Guiness, who manages ventures and compiles books when outside the classroom, told Career & Education.

She has a few teaching philosophies, but the one that stands out the most is ‘Your attitude determines your altitude’.

“I prepared her for CAPE entrepreneurship unit 1 and customer service Level 1, which she passed. Another success story is Jaydeene Campbell, third former from Manning’s School who I prepared for CAPE entrepreneurship unit 1 through GOBA. She did well in the examination and completed the course with the highest SBA (school based assessment) score,” she continued.

In December 2021, Guiness was a recipient of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI) appreciation award for recognition of outstanding service and initiative in delivery of education during the pandemic.

The business education teacher said she changed the way lessons were executed, by preparing a plan of work that was shared with students each week. She said that kept them focused and prepared.

“This plan included checking-in activities, motivational quotes for which students had to share their interpretations and a little dancing was done too. Classes started with 10 minutes waiting period with specially selected music to stimulate students’ interest on entering the virtual space. Students were excited and, in some cases, joined classes earlier than the scheduled class time.”

Extra-curricular activities, added Guiness, were in full swing. Amidst her strict demeanour, as she described it, no one would know that she is “one of the most loving, caring and kind-hearted persons”.

She motivated her students to become members of the Entrepreneur and Global Leadership Club.

“We met every week and proper records were maintained. Students developed a motto, prayer, song and pledge. Another set of students competed in the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) stock market game. I competed in the teachers’ competition,” she told Career & Education.

“It was exhilarating for us as we met weekly, shared portfolios and gave advice to each other. I enjoyed these interactions with these students and became a member of their family as mothers and fathers heard a lot about me.”

Guiness’ career as an educator began at primary school. There were two students who were older than her who couldn’t read.

She recalled spending hours teaching them how to spell their names. At that point, she realised that she had the aptitude to be a teacher.

“I am an educator as this is more diverse than a teacher. My mother said I used to teach the grass, trees and anything I found to impart knowledge to. I graduated from high school and continued further studies where I pursued a course in business education. I love the interaction with students and shaping their future, which is my biggest reward. I take pride in seeing my students maximise their potential and move on to become entrepreneurs or leaders in business environment.”

Guiness said during COVID she realised that most students lost focus and wanted to be self-governed.

As a result, she took a serious approach towards the online interaction. In order to keep everything in order and minimise challenges, a few strategic approaches had to be employed.

Initiatives both professionally and personally included the male empowerment session hosted every Friday for young men. Guiness shared entrepreneurial knowledge and addressed other areas of need.

The girls wanted something special too and as such, the girls’ empowerment session was held every Monday afternoon with young women joining from different parishes.

Meanwhile, working from home would contribute to severe health and mental issues for some. The long hours of sitting at home frustrated many.

Guiness told Career & Education that ‘Zoomercise’ tackled that issue.

“Wellness link-up was the health and fitness movement. Saturday evening was the evening for dance and exercise. My students and colleagues would meet on Zoom for a 60-minute workout. Many participants shared the joy of getting an opportunity to de-stress with others. It provided a chance to meet new people. Persons logged in from the USA and Caribbean islands,” she related.

“I imagined the mental anguish experienced by persons I knew. A lot was happening around us and life was uncertain. I thought of a way to bring people together to share experiences and encourage each other. It brought a fusion of people from different countries, different backgrounds and different professions,” Guiness added.

Guiness also decided to host four-hour exam preparation marathons via Zoom, out of worry for students.

“I would prepare flyers and share with students and parents. A Google Classroom was created for my online academy where materials were shared. Ash Wednesday and Easter breaks were used to do exam prep marathons. Students were exposed to recent past papers. They did questions under test conditions and got the privilege to work questions individually and as a group,” she said.

Another concern for her was the students’ ability to prepare the SBAs properly with the challenges associated with online teaching.

“I would plan SBA workshops with the same model used for exam prep marathons. Students were taught how to prepare the SBA for EDPM (electronic document preparation and management), office administration, POB [principles of business], POA [principles of accounts], and CAPE entrepreneurship unit 1. They were exposed to the mark scheme in order to track their progress. Submission timelines were set to keep them focused,” she explained.