MONTEGO BAY, St James — Master teacher Chelsea Campbell-Ellis has spent the last 26 years aiming to positively impact the lives of students at St James’ Herbert Morrison Technical High School.

While she has received countless accolades and much recognition for work done, the newest feather in Campbell-Ellis’s cap has left her feeling confident that she is walking in her purpose. Campbell-Ellis, an English language and literature teacher, was named the Americas’ regional winner of the Pearson International School Teacher Awards on Wednesday. The runners-up in the category are teachers from Brazil and Mexico.

The educator told the Jamaica Observer that a student saw it fit to nominate her for the United Kingdom-based award, which recognises and celebrates outstanding educators in international schools across the world.

“It was a great feeling to know that my teaching went beyond the parameters of the classroom — and clearly I have impacted the person who nominated me. That was enough for me to feel some amount of elation, but I think that peaked when I realised I was shortlisted,” Campbell-Ellis said.

“I think what was also really great for me was just seeing Herbert Morrison, Jamaica [named] among those other countries and schools — that was a point of satisfaction,” the educator added.

As head of the school’s English Department, Campbell-Ellis leads a committed group of teachers who are determined to imprint an appreciation for the subject area at the institution. However, she told the Sunday Observer that teaching, which she later discovered she loves, was never a part of her plans.

“It wasn’t my passion, or at least so I thought at the time, but I’ve always been passionate about English, and I consider myself an English enthusiast. I was drawn to broadcasting, that was my passion, and everybody who knew me at the time thought that was what I was going to do,” the master teacher explained.

Campbell-Ellis continued, “But given what broadcasting required, because I am a Seventh-day Adventist, it was kind of non-negotiable for my parents. I was encouraged to go to teachers’ college and become a teacher of English, or to major in English, which I did. But throughout the years I have had no regrets — absolutely none.”

Noting that she has participated in countless workshops and training seminars geared towards improving the performances of students in their English exams, Campbell-Ellis told the Sunday Observer that she is proud of the work she has done over the years.

“In 2012 I was selected among 10 teachers on the island to share best practices regarding improving the performance of the English language. The national average had decreased significantly and they thought that some intervention needed to have happened,” she said.

“I am a teacher who believes that I need to improve. I don’t think that there is any moment that I should feel complacent so I am always seeking information and responding positively to opportunities that offer improvement. So, throughout the years I have accepted invitations for different workshops, and in 2013 I received outstanding recognition for my student being ranked in the top 10 performers in the literatures of English CAPE [Caribbean Advancement Proficiency Exam],” Campbell-Ellis added.

At the same time, the master teacher stated that after recognising a gap in English literature performances of grade seven students, she penned a workbook for her teachers.

“I was not necessarily satisfied with what I saw regarding literature, and I had discussions with some teachers. I remember one in particular said she liked the ideas and she kept coming back for reminders,” said Campbell-Ellis.

It was an encounter with that teacher that saw Campbell-Ellis authoring Think Write English Literature Workbook for Grade Seven — further shaping the love for the subject among students.

“She said, ‘Ms, if you are tired of me just put it in a book’ — and I did that,” the master teacher said with a laugh.

“Not tooting my own horn but I have seen where it has helped significantly in terms of students being able to make the transition from primary or prep school where literature is concerned. I share it with other schools in the region and outside of the region, and they have benefited as well,” she told the Sunday Observer.

With the help of the workbook, among other early interventions, Campbell-Ellis said the students at the western Jamaica-based school have maintained high performances in both English disciplines.

“I have strategically led a team of teachers to prepare students for the CSEC [Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate] English A exam, and this is for the entire cohort because at Herbert Morrison we believe that all students should have the opportunity to sit the exam,” she said.

“In 2018 the results were 108 distinctions, 73 credits, and 22 grade twos, and we have been able to maintain that. I work with a cadre of very competent and committed teachers, and I must acknowledge their efforts as well because I certainly could not do it alone,” she said.

Campbell-Ellis went on to note that the performances of her students had earned her the nickname 99 per cent from the school’s Principal Paul Adams.

“We have been having a 99 per cent pass rate, even during COVID, so I earned the moniker 99 per cent. Mr Adams calls me 99 per cent because he’s saying that I am arranging with one person to fail,” she explained.

Since being named the recipient of a prestigious Pearson International School Teacher Award, Campbell-Ellis said she has been overwhelmed with gratitude and is thankful for all who have played a role in her successes.

“I am thankful first to God for allowing me to live to receive such a prestigious award. I am also grateful to Pearson for deeming it necessary to recognise teachers across the world who go above and beyond to inspire excellence in students,” she said.

“Additionally, I am thankful for all experiences gained at HMTHS, many of which were facilitated by the principal, Mr Adam, who never hesitates to approve my visions for advancement. Finally, I am forever thankful to my personal and professional family for their unwavering support,” she went on.

As she continues on the journey in her teaching career, Campbell-Ellis said that her goals continue to remain grounded in her belief that the only thing that makes people different are opportunities.

“We put excellence in the reach of every child, irrespective of his or her circumstances, to achieve greatness. It is not just a job, it is me being allowed to shape and mould young lives so they can emerge in society as the greatest person they could ever aim to be,” she said.

“I do not just teach the arts, I teach from the heart,” said Campbell-Ellis.