Educators from various schools throughout the Territory were honoured and awarded for their exemplary work in the field of education.

The teachers were awarded at a Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony, which was separated from the Virgin Islands Stars in Education Gala for the first time in its history. The event was held on March 14 in observance of Education Week 2017.

Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George said that teachers are one of the main pillars supporting a sound and progressive society, who along with family, pass on morals and values to children from a very early age.

She said, “Teachers provide the greatest function in this community - the provision of formal education. Through this service they can in fact be the most important nation builders.”

The objectives of the award ceremony were to identify and honour exemplary and qualified teachers in the public schools of the Territory.

Awardees included teachers from the Althea Scatliffe and Joyce Samuel Primary Schools, Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, Bregado Flax Educational Centre and the Elmore Stoutt High School.

The Teacher of the Year awardees were selected based on the following criteria: a rating scale submitted by the principal, observation, an interview with the selection committee and an essay.

School of the Year, was captured by the Althea Scatliffe Primary School and the Elmore Stoutt High School and were adjudged based on the schools’ overall impact of their development plan; and the overall result and student scores in national, regional and external examinations (key stage, proficiency examination and CXC).

Additionally, School of the Year winners had to display effectiveness of school leadership, record keeping, health and safety, school climate, discipline, co-curricular activities, as well as outlining all the innovative and successful things they have achieved during the school year.

The Principal of the Year was announced at the Virgin Islands Stars in Education Gala on March 18. The honour was awarded to Mrs. Orlandette Crabbe of the Joyce Samuel Primary School and Mrs. Sandy Underhill of the Elmore Stoutt High School.

Principals were selected based on an interview with the selection committee in areas including: performance appraisal for the school year; actively participating in continued professional development as evidenced by participation in workshops, in-service training, conferences and/or advanced degrees; and contributing to the continuous improvement of student learning.

An additional four principals were honoured at this year’s award ceremony. They included: John Williamson of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre; Beatrice Penn of the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School; Gloria Helen Penn of the Ivan Dawson Primary School; and Marva Martin of the Jost Van Dyke Primary School.

All nominees received a gift certificate, one month free service from local telecommunication provider, CCT and a pin from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Winners received $1,000, a gift certificate, the Premier’s pin, the Ministry of Education and Culture’s pin and award, and one month free service from CCT.

Education Week is an annual event in which the work of students and educators are highlighted.

For more information, persons should contact the Ministry of Education and Culture at 468-2151

Photo Captions:

1. Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George delivering welcoming remarks during the Teacher of the Year Award Ceremony on Tuesday, March 14 at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College campus. (GIS/Ronnielle Frazer)
2. Madeline Alister of the Esyln Henley Richiez Learning Centre pictured with Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE; Mrs. Phyllis George and Honourable Myron V. Walwyn while receiving the Phyllis George Special Needs Teacher Award. (GIS/Ronnielle Frazer)
3. Zakaria Yunasah of the Elmore Stoutt High School receiving his pin from the Ministry of Education and Culture. (GIS/Ronnielle Frazer)
4. Attached is a list of all persons who received awards during the Teacher of the Year Ceremony and the Virgin Islands Stars in Education Gala.