O’Neal-Williams Appointed Deputy PS In Education Ministry

Carolyn O'Neal-Williams

Mrs. O’Neal-Williams was previously the Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission. Mrs. O’Neal-Williams has a master’s degree in educational management from the University of Nottingham in England; a post-graduate diploma in teaching of foreign languages from the University of the West Indies; and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the College of the Virgin Islands, now the University of the Virgin Islands. From 1999 to 2004, she was Foreign Languages Coordinator for the Ministry of Education and Culture, and from 1985 to 1999 she was a teacher and Head of the Spanish Department at the BVI High School.

Mrs. O’Neal-Williams succeeds Ms. Suzette Vanterpool, who is now on study leave.

Mrs. Lavon Chalwell-Brewley has been appointed to succeed Mrs. O’Neal-Williams at the helm of the UNESCO National Commission. Mrs. Chalwell-Brewley is a former science teacher and Head of the Science Department at the Elmore Stoutt High School. She has a Ph.D. in Education from Capella University in Minnesota, and Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Education and Biology, respectively, from the University of the Virgin Islands.

In other senior appointments at the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ms. Tasha Bertie has been appointed Acting Assistant Secretary and Mrs. Phyllis Evans has been appointed Private Secretary to the Minister. 

Ms. Bertie joined the public service in 1997 and worked as a guidance counsellor within the public schools until 2007, when she was appointed Private Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioural science (psychology) and an associate’s degree in business administration from Andrews University in Michigan.

Ms. Bertie’s appointment as acting Assistant Secretary took effect on July 14.    ~~Adz:Right~~

Mrs. Evans was previously Senior Administrative Officer/Protocol Officer in the Deputy Governor’s Office. She has more than 30 years experience in the public service, having held positions in departments such as the Governor’s Office, Legislative Council, Survey Department and the Elmore Stoutt High School. She has an Executive Diploma in Management from the Chartered Management Institute, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Missouri Southern University, and an Associate’s Degree in Arts from H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

Mrs. Evans’ appointment as Private Secretary took effect on August 1.

The vision of the Ministry of Education is “Quality Education for All’ and its mission is “to ensure access to quality education and opportunities for the holistic development of a people that are adaptable and capable of functioning effectively in a global environment”.