COLEEN Cameron-Howell is no stranger to being awarded for an exceptional job as a school teacher.

She has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Jamaica Teaching Council Excellent Teacher Award in 2020 and Certificate of Excellence in Teaching in 2020, among others, while at Grants Mountain Primary School in St Ann where she taught for 18 years.

However, for her, the memorable award to date came last December, when she was named Teacher of the Year at Red Oak-Sturgeon Elementary School, which is based in the American state of Virginia.

An elated Howell relived moments of the day she was surprised and congratulated.

“I had no idea I was gonna be awarded, I was in my classroom and I saw the superintendent for the county, my principal, and some board members come into the classroom with roses and so on. Then we went into the cafeteria and all the kids stood up and applauded me, tears filled my eyes,” Cameron-Howell told the
Jamaica Observer.

Cameron-Howell, who has been in the US since 2021 on an Educational International Programme, was awarded for her “unwavering commitment, passion, and dedication to the students and the field of eduction”, according to a certificate that was presented to her by the school’s board.

She currently teaches reading and Virginia studies to fourth grade students.

“Receiving the award makes me even love my job more. To know that I’m making such a positive impact on so many individuals is an awesome feeling,” said Cameron-Howell as she underscored the pride she feels as a Jamaican excelling in a foreign country.

She said being so good at what she does best, teaching, is due to an impactful time spent at Moneague College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in primary education as well a great relationship with her colleagues at Grants Mountain Primary.

“My relationship with my principals really provided me with that foundation and moulded me to be able to excel and demonstrate such great skills,” said Cameron-Howell.

However, she said her passion for teaching was influenced by a resident of her community where she grew up, Murray Mountain, St Ann.

“There was this man, Harold Christie, who was my teacher at Brown’s Town High School and he inspired me a lot. I really looked up to him because we were from the same community,” added Cameron-Howell.

She told the Observer that teaching is her passion, “and once you have a love for your profession, inevitably you will be successful”.

“It is my passion and I don’t feel like I’m working when I’m teaching. I love seeing when the children get their good scores and move from one stage to another, just the look on their faces makes me happy,” she said.

Cameron-Howell’s stint at Red Oak-Sturgeon Elementary will end in 2026 and she is grateful for the experience.

“It was always my desire to travel, experience different cultures, and learn how other people operate, especially children in the classroom. I have really been enjoying my time in the US and I have learnt a lot, which is one of the reasons why I decided to sign up for the programme,” she said.

The plan now is to return home and share what she has garnered with her colleagues and students here.

“I want to build my country, making it the place of choice to work and live. I just really want to be in the best position to make Vision 2030 a reality,” declared Cameron-Howell.