Monday, 8th June, 2009 saw the second visit of the Principals’ Association Executive Body to retired Principals’ in St. Kitts. Mrs. Walters of St. Paul’s and Mrs. Huldina Boddie of Tabernacle were the proud recipients of a fruit basket, compliments of the association. Both retired principals were given the opportunity to reminisce about their years of teaching in St. Kitts.
Mrs. Enrica Walters indicated that she had a fulfilling career as a teacher. She taught at the Sandy Point, Bethel and St. Pauls Primary Schools. She indicated that she would always remember the community of Parsons for the good community relationship that the parents had with the school. She also claimed that it was easier to discipline children during her time as parents were more co-operative and willing to assist the schools in the teaching of morals, manners and values.
Mrs. Walters recalled her years at the Sandy Point Primary with great pride. She recalled teachers with whom she worked who were quite cooperative and devoted to the profession. She praised the accomplishments of many who are still carrying the torch that she started years ago.
Lost spiritual Link
Mrs. Huldina Boddie commenced her teaching career at the age of 13 at Old Road. She taught at the St. Kitts Teachers’ College as the Reading tutor, the Tabernacle Primary and was the principal for the Saddlers Primary and the Academy School.
Mrs. Boddie is quite passionate about children and has requested that we find positive means of counteracting all the negativity that surrounds them today. She firmly believes that there is a need to recapture that spiritual link that is necessary to guide the youths of today. She emphasized this by explaining that from all her observations and interactions with them, apparently there is no fear of God and the unknown. They have lost that spiritual link with God. Hence the violence being witnessed and experienced today in our schools and our communities.
Mrs. Boddie also expressed a desire to see students more focused on achieving their goals. In light of this she wondered how teachers manage to teach successfully with all the interruptions in their daily schedule. The issue of completing the syllabus and ensuring that concepts are taught and understood are of paramount importance.
However, most of all she encouraged the principals to stand firm and hold fast to their beliefs with regards to rules and regulations and what should happen in their schools. She said “You are the boss in your school, stand firm and do your best at all times.”
