Immaculate Conception High School maths teacher Shanique Pryce made an impassioned plea to her colleagues on Monday.

“To my fellow educators, let’s continue to push boundaries, inspire curiosity and show that maths is not something to be learnt, but something to be lived,” Pryce said, after being named Mathematics Teacher of the Year 2025 at an awards ceremony held at the education ministry’s Canewood Auditorium on Arnold Road in Kingston.

“To my students, past and present, this award is for you. You are the reason I do what I do. You are the future problem-solvers, innovators and leaders. Never stop questioning, exploring and believing in your ability to succeed. I am deeply grateful and I will continue to do my best to make a difference — one equation, one graph and one student at a time,” added an elated Pryce, who topped a field of 15 regional finalists chosen from an initial 51 nominees in the seven education regions across the island.

Sasha Ashley-Kelly of Pleasant Valley Primary School placed second, while Westwood High School’s Kimberly Todd placed third. The top three teachers received electronic devices as prizes to aid the delivery of their lessons, as well as trophies and gift certificates for themselves and their respective schools.

“The Mathematics Teacher of the Year Award is not just a reflection of my work but of the students who challenge me every day, my colleagues who inspire me, and the passion we all share for making mathematics come alive in the classroom,” Pryce said.

“Mathematics is more than just numbers and equations; it is a language that helps us to think critically, solve problems, and understand the world,” she added.

“My goal as a teacher has always been to make maths accessible, engaging and relevant so that every student, no matter their background and ability, can see its beauty and power. But teaching is not a solo journey. I share this moment with my fellow educators, who dedicate themselves every day to shaping young minds. I share this moment with my students who remind me that learning is a two-way street and that curiosity and perseverance are the keys to success,” she added.

This year’s awards ceremony was the 10th staging.

Pryce was selected based on her consistent use of effective practices to deliver high-quality mathematics instructions, promoting mathematics in her distinct classroom and the school to raise the batch profile. She was also recognised as a hard worker who added value to the students under her tutelage — mathematically and otherwise — and being keen on using data.

Dr Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the education ministry, reminded maths teachers of the crucial role they play in making students love the subject.

“I am standing here as evidence of that because some time ago, in my very young age, teachers like you saw someone like me. Because of what my teachers did, they got me to believe. When you align with your purpose and understand what you do for children, then you make children believe in their own competence to shine,” Troupe said.

Describing the 40 per cent success rate in the subject at last year’s sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination as unimpressive, Troupe said that maths teachers must push themselves to the limit.

“We have to zero in on maths because we are struggling in that area. I testify that I started out as a poor maths student, but I got a grade one in the Caribbean Examination Council Maths. My teacher created opportunities for learning differently. We weren’t just in a maths classroom at a timetabled session. In the evenings we had practice time in a relaxed environment. We went into the auditorium with our peers and we just worked maths. We had jokes in the middle of it. The teacher got us to relax and to laugh about our doubts and fears,” she said.

“It wasn’t used against us to say we were dunce, poor, and not going to pass maths. It was a positive environment that he created. Every evening we rushed to the auditorium to practise maths. We loved our teacher. We wanted to do it for Mr Gordon. We wanted to do it for him because he got us to love it and got us to love him. When the children love you, they don’t want to disappoint you,” she said, and implored educators to not see their work as an ordinary job.

“This is life-changing work,” she said.