CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – “IT is my ministry. I believe I was chosen to lead children up the educational ladder.” These are the words of Vernitha Collins, or Teacher Collins, of the Vern ‘N’ Llew Pre-School at Craddock Road, Nevis.
Teacher Collins, our final honoree in the Child’s Month series, has been a pre-school teacher “for more than 20 years” and does not intend to give it up.
“I’ve had many offers, but pre-school is the joy of my life.”
Vernitha, who owns and manages Vern ‘N’ Llew, taught at a number of schools in Nevis and St. Kitts before acquiring her own. She started at Maude Cross Preparatory on Nevis then moved to St. Kitts where she worked at the Basseterre Wesleyan Holiness Pre-School, the Salvation Army and the Victoria Road Pre-School.
While in St. Kitts, Vernitha won a scholarship to Trinidad. The course required her to spend one year in the twin-island republic and a two-year internship back in the Federation. She emerged with her Oxford distinction for pre-school programme and decided that pre-school was where she belonged.
She returned to Nevis and taught at the Maude Smith before realising her dream by opening her own school on April 29, 1996.
“When I came back from studying, there were a lot of opportunities. Some people wanted me to work in offices but I could not see myself doing that…teaching makes my day. I love children and have a passion for my work.”
She revealed that it was not easy when she tried to get a school of her own: “There was a lot of discouragement, but I prayed about it.”
Vernitha explained that she also received a lot of support from one of her role models, Pearlivin Wilkin, who stood by her when she told him that she wanted to open a school of her own. He also gave the first speech to the parents when the initial batch of students went to the school.
Teacher Collins admitted that at times it is challenging to run one’s own pre-school, especially having to deal with parents from various backgrounds with different aspirations and hopes.
“Some help to make the work easier and some make it a bit more challenging.”
Vernitha continued: “The children too have different behaviours, but as a teacher your aim is to develop proper behaviour in children. Let them know what is expected of them and as they grow older they will know how to deal with their peers in primary and high schools, and on to college.”
Her advice to potential pre-school teachers is that anyone who has a love and passion for children could join the profession.
“Children make your day. They bring so much joy. Sometimes they bring me flowers. Sometimes they just want to share their lunch. They look out for their teacher.”
She concluded with, “Anyone who has a love for kids and a passion to see them climb the educational ladder…I’m going to tell them to go right ahead?”
