CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – WHILE the nation battles with finding a solution to the escalating gun-related crimes in the twin-island Federation, an educator continues to impart knowledge and guide her students in becoming noteworthy citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
She is Verselie Powell, who has been in the teaching profession for almost 40 year and still enjoys watching her students excel and the experience of teaching them while she is being taught by the interaction.
“You teach them for them to learn, but there is so much about them that you too are taught. I think that is what grabbed me and kept me in teaching: that personal interaction with people. Generally I love people, and love working with people so it was not difficult to get along with the children even though you have the odd case of some who are disrespectful and not as cooperative as you want them to be. But, generally, I have had excellent relationships with children, even up to now.”
It was this love for teaching that brought Powell out of retirement in January 2007 to return to the Gingerland Secondary School where she now teaches Mathematics.
Powell told SKNVibes that a situation once existed at the school whereby students were having a difficult time with the Mathematics teachers available.
“There were teachers but they were not experienced and qualified. So, I came back to help the children.”
So far, she is satisfied with the progress seen in her new charges in the three years since her return.
“I’ve had good results…I’m talking about the knowledge, the level of interest and how the children approach learning.”
Powell began her career in education in 1970 as a teacher at Sadler’s Primary in St. Kitts. She then spent a year at Prospect Primary before attending the Teachers’ Training College. Her second year at the College was spent in the classroom and she completed her training in 1974.
After college, Powell returned to Nevis and Charlestown Secondary – which she attended before leaving for Basseterre Senior and Sixth Form. She taught at Charlestown Secondary School (CSS) until 1985 when she left to pursue a degree in Accounting and Business Practice.
On completion of her studies, she returned to CSS and remained there until 1993 when she was transferred to Gingerland Secondary to take up the position of Principal. She spent six years there and in 1999 left to become an education officer at the Department of Education. Powell remained at the Department until retiring in 2006.
Powell, who also taught History during her tenure at CSS, said the experience gained at that institution was very imaging, in that she saw herself grow and develop as a teacher.
“In those days there were not many options and at one point I thought of doing something else. But gradually I saw how the individual can impact others, and at the same time be impacted by the same children that you teach.”
The outspoken teacher lamented the fact that students leaving school are not attracted to the profession.
“People are turning their attention to other jobs that are more lucrative and they are just focusing on getting as much remuneration out of a job as they can. We are not looking at how we can build our nation. On one hand we are making a lot of money but, on the other hand, society is gradually going down. Many people do not see teaching as an attractive profession but that is where we build our country.”
“I don’t care what the politicians or people in society tell you about tourism and the economy. We build our country in our schools.”
She continued: “What we are finding now is that the more qualified people who are leaving school are not attracted to teaching. People just want a job.”
Powell said the authorities need to make the profession so attractive that young people would want to take up teaching.
According to the educator, another factor that would not draw people to teacher is the mindset that children are troublesome.
She admits that nowadays students are a bit more challenging and outspoken, but she finds that if teachers are firm, consistent and honest with them: “practicing what they preach in the classroom”, the job can be less stressful.
“You have to accept them for who they are, regardless of sex, religion or background…and recognise that students have legitimate questions and some may challenge your authority.”
Powell refused to identify any of her past students, saying she could not attribute their success to what she did.
“There are a number of factors including the influence of society, parents, school environment, principles, and the influence of the church and the individuality of the child,” she said concerning students’ success.
Powell, who admits to not having plans to quit anytime soon, accepts however that she may have played a very positive role in the lives of her students.
