Dear Editor,

As a member of staff at Alston High School in Clarendon and an educator for over 25 years, I am inspired and motivated to pay tribute to all the teachers of this noble institution, particularly the three longest-serving educators, Murdina Latty-Johnson, Annette Walters, and Jerome Richards.

I find it difficult to celebrate Teachers’ Day and Education Week 2025 without making special mention of these three veteran educators, who have given over 100 years of cumulative service to education. It would be remiss of me not to mention their loyalty and commitment towards education in Jamaica. They are great examples of dedication to duty and loyalty to their calling.

I suspect that many opportunities would have been presented to them to go overseas or join other professions, but they chose to stay at Alston High School and make their contribution towards national development. I have seen in them the rare and refreshing qualities of service above self. As we approach Teachers’ Day on Wednesday, May 7, my heartfelt appreciation and admiration is extended to these three veteran educators as well as all the other teachers at Alston High School and all the other schools in Jamaica. Indeed, it takes someone with a special heart of love to serve as a teacher.

Teachers are the backbone of the society. It is in our teachers’ hands the future of our country rest. Not only do we play an integral role in preparing young minds for the adult economy, but we expose individuals of different ages and social backgrounds to knowledge, skills, moral values, and character traits that last a lifetime. In all spheres of national life, such as law, medicine, nursing, security, agriculture, religion, business, science and technology, teachers have prepared individuals to positively impact society. What would the world be without teachers?

Education policies will change, politicians will come and go, but educators like the above-named three remain a constant feature in the education of the nation’s children. They are model teachers who are worthy of emulation. Jamaica can be proud that despite the limitations of our education system we have some of the finest educators in the world. Men and women who sacrifice personal gains in the interest of their country.

Happy Teachers’ Day to all teachers, both active and retired! Thanks for your service to humanity. Jamaica and the world is a better place because you chose to serve as a teacher. The word is always love for our teachers.

Andre Wellington

Dean of Discipline

Alston High School

Clarendon

andrewellington344@yahoo.com