Maude Williams...from pastor to pre-school teacher

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – IT is just a little building, and the students currently number a mere eight, but the New Castle Pre-School has prepared its fair share of children for life in primary school during its 24-year existence. And, the one constant factor during that time has been the woman known as Teacher Maude.

Maude Williams has been running the school since its inception in 1985 and has enjoyed every minute of it. “I believe in seeing children get a great start in education,” she said.

Maude was a pastor at the Wesleyan Holiness Church in New Castle when some parents in the community made a request for the establishment of a pre-school in the area. 

“The parents wanted to go out and work…so I discussed the idea with the District Superintendent, Joe Ward, and we got the permission.”

The school was opened in the church building, and after a year and a half moved to its own facility which was acquired with the assistance of members of the community.

Teacher Maude revealed that the current crop of students is the smallest ever, and attributes this to the fact that parents now find it convenient to take their children to schools in town where most of them work. The largest group was 36. 

The former pastor says she has also taught the children of students who passed through her care many ‘moons’ ago. 

Teacher Maude’s advice to persons who may be interested in teaching pre-school is that they must have a love of children, “you must be called to do it because it is not very encouraging sometimes.”