PORT MARIA, St Mary — Teachers’ Day went from quiet to unforgettable for Port Maria Infant School staff after a surprise invitation from Sandals Foundation.

They were among more than 150 teachers from 49 schools across St Ann and St Mary who were treated to a complimentary boat cruise, complete with music, food, and camaraderie, to mark Teachers’ Day. “We had nothing planned,” said Doraine Murphy, the school’s guidance counsellor. “So, when Sandals called we were overjoyed to be a part of the celebration. We are grateful to Sandals Ocho Rios for making our day really special.”

Not all teachers could attend due to limited space, but those who went said it was a much-needed break.

“It was beautiful. For once we weren’t thinking about lesson plans. We danced, we laughed, we felt appreciated. That matters,” said educator Hyeillia Clarke-Coke.

Regional public relations manager for Sandals Ocho Rios Lyndsay Isaacs said the gesture was about honouring educators.

“Teachers are amazing. We see the work that they are doing in the classroom every day,” she told the Jamaica Observer. “If there is a little thing that we can do for them to show appreciation then we are happy to do it.”

In addition to Port Maria Infant, other schools represented included New Orange Hill Primary, Bamboo Basic, Union Basic, Golden Grove Basic, Lewisburgh Primary, Bethany Primary, Albion Mountain Primary, Mount Zion Primary, Ocho Rios High, Pineapple Basic, Stewart Town Basic, Wellington Four Square Basic, Village Primary, Parry Town Primary and Infant, Zoe Care Bear, Boscobel Primary, and Gibraltar Primary.