Every responsible adult should recognise his/her duty towards assisting the push for a better future.

That’s not just for the good of the individual but for community and country — all of which ultimately amounts to enlightened self-interest.

In all of this teachers are of paramount importance, for in their hands, to mould and direct, are our children — the future.

We are reminded of this undeniable truth by Sunday’s uplifting story of the service to school, community and country by a teacher of English language and literature at Herbert Morrison Technical High School, Mrs Chelsea Campbell-Ellis.

We are told that over the last 26 years Mrs Campbell-Ellis has received widespread recognition for her work, most recently topping nominees in the America’s region for the Pearson International School Teacher Award, which celebrates outstanding educators globally.

Never satisfied, Mrs Campbell-Ellis has kept upgrading herself to be an even better teacher through workshops, seminars, and the like.

Also, she is in constant search to improve the teaching of English and literature, which explains her creation of a workbook for her fellow teachers to better reach grade seven students — entry level in high schools.

At a time when so many of her colleagues feel compelled to move on to greener pastures, leaving Jamaica’s education system struggling to cope, we are awed by Mrs Campbell-Ellis’s explanation of her source of motivation.

“It [teaching] 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… I do not just teach the arts, I teach from the heart,” she told our reporter.

Here is an example which brings joy to all those who believe bringing up children is an all-of-us responsibility.

Over recent days we have heard Archbishop Kenneth Richards, head of the Roman Catholic Church in Jamaica, and Prime Minister Andrew Holness speak eloquently on this issue.

At the final farewell to that extraordinary nation-builder, Mr Lascelles Chin, the archbishop urged Jamaicans to ask themselves pertinent questions: “As a sibling, am I respectful of the rights of my brother and sister? As a student, do I show due regard for my fellow student? In my community, what is the awareness I have for children?”

And further that, “We used to say… that it was the village that raised children. Nowadays, it’s everybody to their own corner; ‘lef’ mi pickney alone, do not talk to mi pickney’…”

And, the prime minister, at the handing-over of a therapeutic centre for children in State care, reminds us that: “Child protection starts in our communities; the Government has a responsibility but our communities and the people living within the communities are the first line of defence in the protection of our children…”

So true, Mr Holness.

That’s one reason this newspaper has consistently called for Government to lead in the deliberate organisation and mobilisation of communities so residents working together as a team can better help themselves, neighbours, and all their children, in partnership with school, police, and other relevant agencies.

Let’s get to it.