Nadine Kelly Virgo — Transforming lives through education

MANY primary school teachers may have started this academic year with a bit of anxiety about the newly introduced Primary Exit Profile (PEP), but not Nadine Kelly Virgo, founder and CEO of EduPEP Jamaica. Having taught GSAT students for nearly two decades, she decided to use the new PEP syllabus as the launch pad for her entrepreneurial ambitions.

“My hero, Nelson Mandela, says education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” she said, sitting pretty on the patio of her institution at 34 Edinburgh Avenue in St Andrew. She told All Woman about the journey to becoming a globally trained teacher with two decades of experience under her belt, and founding an institution to deal specifically with the new PEP syllabus, all while raising four children and celebrating 19 years of marriage.

“From I have known myself I have wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “And over the years, that has not changed. It was easy for me because right through primary school and right through high school I had a goal. I knew what I wanted, so I worked towards it. I pursued my first love.”

After high school, she went on to enrol at Shortwood Teachers’ College, where she completed her studies in 2001, and later got her first degree at Western Carolina University in 2003. After doing a few short stints in three different schools, Virgo landed a spot at Immaculate Conception Preparatory, where she had been moulding young minds up until the end of the last academic year. She reflects on one particular student whom she taught while at Immaculate and whom she will always remember.

“When she came to my class in grade four, the principal wasn’t going to take her based on her diagnostic test results. None of the other teachers wanted her. I said to the principal that I’ll keep her in my class. I kept her close to me and ensured she got one-on-one attention, and in the evenings her mom allowed her to stay for extra lessons. I motivated her because at that age the self-esteem is very fragile, especially when the academics aren’t up to par.

“I watched her confidence blossom, even though her grades were not improved just yet. She went on to grade five, and I still followed up with her, and her grades soon started to improve. Now she is at a prominent all-girls’ school about to do her CSEC exams and she is doing very well.”

Though Virgo never doubted that she was a good teacher with her first degree, she always felt the need to learn more and to improve her skills as an educator. She acquired her master’s degree at the Florida International University in 2014.

“Our world is evolving. As we are speaking right now, things are changing; new strategies and methodologies are emerging. What we learned in Shortwood 20 years ago is relevant today, but as you go up the ladder you realise that some of those things become obsolete. I want to stay in the now,” she said.

“That exposure I gained from being a teacher has helped me to stay relevant, and to apply best practices to my teaching. Even now I still go to the PEP seminars, and if I hear anything happening that is geared at critical thinking, even overseas, I’m gone. I want to make sure that my students are benefiting from the best practices.”

After teaching at the same school for so many years, however, Virgo started to get restless, and decided it was time to pursue another passion of hers — owning her own business.

“I felt stagnant doing the same thing over and over for so many years,” she confessed. “It has always been a dream of mine to have my own. With the introduction of PEP, I just knew it was the right time to realise that dream. And with me being PEP-trained, I know I have the know-how and the perseverance to get into another side of the market, and to continue to impact and transform lives.”

Currently EduPEP is an after-school programme and students come by from 3:30 to 6:30 each evening. Virgo also does consultations with parents, and helps to ease the anxiety that they may be feeling about their children being the first wave of students to participate in the PEP programme. She currently has 15 registered students, but she envisions EduPEP expanding and becoming a household name in the very near future.

“It’s good. It’s different,” she laughed. “I welcome all the newness and all the things I’m learning. I’m still an educator so it’s easier on the educational side. The entrepreneurial side is a bit challenging, but I embrace it and I enjoy it and treasure the journey. We’ve started out strong, and we’re getting stronger.”

When she is not in the classroom, you might find Virgo chasing after her active two year-old son, Jaxen, or delegating tasks around the house to her three daughters — Nasha Kaye, Jonae and Najee, who are 26, 20 and 14 respectively.

She celebrates 19 years of marriage to hubby, Steve, with whom she enjoys going on road trips and taking short vacations. When she is by herself, you might find her scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, or giving thanks in church for her many blessings.

When asked what motivates her to keep teaching, Virgo replies simply: “It is my passion and my drive, and I’m good at it. Also, it is wonderful to know that I am able to impact and to transform lives through education.”