BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THOSE who impart knowledge to students of the Dr. William Connor Primary School made good on the institution’s motto, “Keep climbing higher”, by equipping themselves with the necessary skills and tools to impart knowledge to the nation’s youth.
The process of equipping took the form of a “Staff Professional Development” exercise held Friday (Feb. 5) at the conference room of the Foundational for National Development under the theme “Improving Today’s Teachers for Tomorrow’s Leaders”.
The three-part exercise was designed to hone the teachers’ skills in specific areas while providing them with information about which they may not have been previously aware.
Session One, which was facilitated by Dorothy Warner, Coordinator of Language Arts, focused on Descriptive Writing while Session Two, facilitated by Ruth Thomas, Director of the Curriculum Development Unit, dealt with the Virtues as Related to Teachers and Students.
The Third Session saw Chesil Hamilton of the Social Security Board addressing the issues relative to teachers and their Social Security benefits.
During a ceremony to officially declare the workshop open, Principal of the Dr. William Connor Primary School Anthony Wiltshire noted that exercises such as this are vital if teachers were to equip themselves “to render greater service” to the nation’s students.
“Our imposing theme, Improving Today’s Teachers for Tomorrow’s Leaders, has been carefully chosen. It was Henry Adams who penned a teacher affects eternity. No one can tell where his influence stops. Consequently we must empower ourselves so as to ensure that we are not only tomorrow’s leaders but also to nurture such leaders. This task is like the Sword of Damocles being hung around our necks. Therefore, it is necessary to provide these opportunities to rekindle or reignite the educational flame. The First Session will definitely assist the teachers in improving this aspect of composition which continues to be very challenging throughout the system.
“Session Two is needed now more than ever; this aspect of our society has been severely eroded. We now have the opportunity to equip ourselves to confidently disseminate the content. Several of us are ignorant about the benefits of social security. Consequently, we are expecting to clearly comprehend how the system works enabling us to develop a greater appreciation. In the final analysis, we are here to share ideas and learn from each other. According to Clinton Davidson, if you want to become the greatest in your field, no matter what it may be, equip yourselves to render greater service than anyone else.”
Addresses were also made by Patrick Welcome and Osmond Petty, Chief Education Officer and Permanent in the Ministry of Education, respectively, who underscored the importance of good leadership in molding the minds of young people.
Approximately 20 teachers participated in and successfully completed the exercise which has placed them in better positions to, as the school’s mission statement charges, “Create a positive learning environment through the cooperative efforts of all teachers.”
