Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/3893/-1/140/
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Bishop Tells Teachers: "REFLECT ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING"
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Secondary and primary school teachers in Anguilla resumed their classroom work on Monday, September 4, stimulated by their own efforts and encouraged by the support of the Ministry of Education and the advice of one of the island’s top religious leaders, Bishop Errol Brooks of the Anglican Church.
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A section of the teachers on Teachers Appreciation Day
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The educators began the new school year fresh from the annual observance of Teachers’ Appreciation Day held on Friday, September 1, at the Resource Centre under the theme Teachers touching lives, moulding the future. Among the teaching staff are a number of new appointees who introduced themselves at the function. They are from Africa, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and Anguilla – a well mixed group.
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Bishop Brooks addressing teachers
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One of the matters which presented much stimulation for the long-standing teachers in particular, was a detailed report on achievements in education given by newly-appointed Chief Education Officer, Rhonda Connor. It showed that their hard work was bearing fruit with much success recorded in various subject areas at primary and secondary levels from 1998 to the present.
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Teachers Appreciation Day
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The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Rodney Rey, assured them that everything would be done to make their tenure of service pleasant, beneficial, profitable and educational. He acknowledged that their job was a difficult one, but spoke of the need for them to show greater commitment to the responsibilities.
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Teachers Appreciation Day
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“The Ministry of Education appreciates the hard work our teachers do under less than ideal conditions and we encourage you to fight the good fight,” Mr. Rey told them. “You are contributing significantly to national development and this knowledge is your best reward. The future of Anguilla depends so much on what you do today.”
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Mr. Rodney Rey
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Bishop Errol Brooks, underscoring the seriousness of the teaching profession, told them bluntly: “If you are not comfortable where you are, get out. Stop raining on people’s parade.” Prolonged applause greeted his remarks as he succeeded in getting his point across. “You are being looked at by the administrators, by your colleagues, by parents and by students,” he continued. “The attitude you exude is of tremendous importance in the lives of all these people. I believe in a very real sense that it is not the students but also the way in which we teach them that is going to make the difference.
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Mrs. Rhonda Connor
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“Very often, students’ preference for a particular subject is linked with the way it is taught by the teacher. We have to be enthusiastic and have a certain competence about what we are teaching. It means that your preparation, lessons plans and reading up on your subject areas are all vital…You can’t fool the students; they know when you are bluffing and haven’t done your preparation. You need to stay abreast with all the developments in your subject areas or whatever field you may find yourself in. I can only encourage you, for your own professional development, and for stretching the minds of those whom you teach, to stay abreast of the new developments that are taking place in education.”
The Bishop emphasised the importance of teachers demonstrating high standards in the classroom by their own example, punctuality and proper attire. “If you are going to demand respect, then you will have to give respect as well,” he advised them. “Think and reflect on your practice. Take some time out and see whether you are really living up to expectations. Reflect on what you are doing. Just don’t go through the motions all the time…”
During the programme, the teachers recited their pledge. Among other commitments they promised to accept the responsibility to take advantage of the opportunity to stimulate and excite young people educationally.