WHEN Keeva Ingram walked through the gates of St Andrew High School for Girls as a first-form student in 1988, she could not have imagined that decades later she would return as its principal, guiding generations of young women with the same ethos of excellence and faith that shaped her own journey. Today, as she leads her alma mater through its centennial celebrations, Ingram’s story is one of purpose, resilience, and an abiding love for her school.

Raised in a close-knit family, Ingram credits her parents for instilling the values that continue to guide her life. “My parents never believed in anything free. You had to work, and you had to work hard for what you wanted,” she recalls.

Honesty, integrity, and perseverance were cornerstones of her upbringing, alongside an unwavering sense of family support. It was that foundation that gave her the confidence to pursue unexpected paths, including a stint in Australia studying the performing arts before finding her calling in education.

Teaching, however, was not part of her original plan. After completing her studies in business at the University of Technology, Jamaica, she found herself at a crossroads. A visit to her former principal, Sharon Reid, opened the door to an opportunity she had not considered.

“I said to her, ‘I’m finished with school, but I don’t know what I’m doing.’ She asked, ‘Do you want a job as a teacher?’ And I thought, ‘Teacher?’ It wasn’t on my radar at all. But I tried it, and that’s how I ended up here.”

What began as an unexpected step has since become one of the most fulfilling pursuits of her life.

“Outside of getting married and having children, it is probably one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I love my girls. I love interacting with them,” she said.

Her passion for her students is unmistakable. Whether in the classroom or in casual conversations on campus, Ingram treasures those moments of connection.

“One of the best things I enjoy is speaking to the girls, asking them about their lives, their dreams, their struggles. For me, that’s the highlight of my day,” she said.

Her vision for her role as principal is clear. “I want to be remembered as the principal who knew her girls, their names, their subjects, their challenges, and who always wanted the best for them.”

As an alumna, Ingram understands first-hand the transformative power of a St Andrew education. From her early days as choir president and club leader, she saw how the school nurtured leadership and instilled confidence.

“If you ask me what St Andrew girls are, I’d say two things: they are leaders, and they are not afraid. From grade seven you’re given opportunities to step up, and that prepares you for the world.”

That world came full circle when she assumed the role of principal in 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic turned classrooms upside down. Thrust into crisis management in the very first year of her tenure, Ingram admits it was one of the most difficult periods of her career.

“If I had known COVID was coming, I would have said, ‘Definitely not, no way’ to the job. But we made it through, and I truly believe it was God who sustained us.” Those challenges, she reflects, only deepened her faith and her sense of mission.

Now, leading the institution into its 100th anniversary, Ingram is humbled by the responsibility.

“It’s surreal. To be principal of a school of this calibre, my own school, during such a milestone is both intimidating and a privilege. I want it to be memorable, not just for our past and current students, but for the legacy of the school itself.”

Legacy is a recurring theme in her leadership. While she reveres the traditions and ethos of the school, Ingram is equally proud of the school’s innovation. She lauded the institution’s introduction of digital learning long before the pandemic, as well as its advocacy and inclusion of subjects to fuel dreams of the young ladies aspiring to explore architecture, engineering, performing arts, and digital media, noting these as vital steps in ensuring that St Andrew High School for Girls continues to evolve. Alongside the focus on evolution, Ingram affirms the commitment to continue the long-standing legacy of producing well-rounded young women in the future – “We honour our history, but we are always looking at what’s next, what is good for the girls.”

Her commitment to the students extends far beyond academics. She sees leadership not as authority, but as service.

“I tell the girls all the time, leadership is about making an impact. It’s not about being authoritarian, but about using the values you’ve learned here to influence the world positively,“ she said.

That philosophy shines through in the countless stories of students whose lives she has touched. She recalls one in particular: a student she pushed harder because she believed she had the potential to do more. “She later e-mailed me to say thank you, because the tough love had helped her excel. Those are the moments that remind me why I do this work.”

For Ingram, the message to her girls and to young women at large is padded with purpose: “You can achieve anything you put your heart and mind to. For my girls at St Andrew especially, I want them to live their lives to the fullest, enjoy these fundamental years, and leave here with values, memories, and confidence that will last a lifetime.”

Keeva Ingram (left), leaves encouraging words with 2024-2025 head girl Kanyinsola Olowoyeye.