Hundreds of educators attend Professional Development Day

Hundreds of educators attended a Teachers’ Professional Development Day at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Monday, January 5, 2009. Photo by GIS/Ronnielle Frazer

Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Andrew Fahie acknowledged the huge turnout of principals and teachers and saluted them for their effort, dedication and determination to succeed as a lot was accomplished in the last school term. “There is always room for improvement but we did well”, Mr. Fahie said.

“Today is an effort to take time out from our educational journey to ensure that the affirmation is done.  Today is not only to congratulate you teachers for your hard work from last term but to highlight some of the successes on your journey thus far”, Minister Fahie said.  As he reiterated Government’s commitment to move our education system from good to great, Minister Fahie told teachers that in the race to be better don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

A presentation was done by the Department of Information Technology to further educate teachers on the new programme “PowerSchool”, being implemented in the 2009/2010 school year.

PowerSchool is a fully integrated, web-based, cross-platform student information system used by thousand of schools worldwide.  It takes users beyond administrative reporting, enabling them to use data to increase student achievement and quickly spot trends that may affect student outcomes.  This programme also gives parents the power to stay abreast of student progress with email updates, and online access to schedules, grades, homework, attendance information and teacher comments. ~~Adz:Right~~

Presentations were also done by Scotia Bank representative, Ms. Linette Smith who revealed that a new bank line for teachers has been established to enable faster banking transactions and Red Cross representative, Mrs. Edris O’Neal who said that they will make themselves available to teach first aid to teachers and urged them to make a special effort to take that course.

The meeting was chaired by Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcia Potter.  Others presentations and remarks were done by Mr. Hilroy George, Bregado Flax Educational Centre Primary Division’s Principal, Mrs. Kirlin Lettsome Chairperson of Grade 11, Mr. Cecil Hodge President of the BVI Teachers’ Union, Dr. Bryan Penn Coordinator of the National Curriculum Reform Project and Education Consultants Dr. Betty Garner and Dr. Charles Wheatley.

The mission of Ministry of Education and Culture is to provide high quality education and rehabilitative services, as well as, to facilitate access to and participation in sports, recreation and culture, in order to enrich the lives of all residents of the Virgin Islands.