Guided to greatness

It was the guidance of a mentor that led Dorrette Rhoden Henry into the teaching profession and, 30 years later, that influence continues to shape her approach to teaching and learning.

After graduating from the Mary Mount High School in St Mary, Rhoden Henry said she was invited by the former principal of Preston Land Primary School, in the parish, to join the teaching staff there. It was here that she discovered her “calling” for teaching and, despite challenges, has diligently stayed the course.

She said she pursued training at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education, earning a diploma in education, and later completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at The University of the West Indies.

Yesterday, her perseverance was rewarded as Rhoden Henry, who is a teacher of mathematics and information technology (IT) at deCarteret College in Manchester, was named the 2025-2026 LASCO/Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and information/Jamaica Teaching Council Teacher of the Year.

“It’s good to feel recognised, even though, when you were doing the work, that’s not what you were doing it for,” she told The Gleaner.

Her greatest reward as a teacher, she said, is in witnessing the transformation of her students’ lives beyond the classroom. Whether it’s seeing them gaining confidence through her moulding, in a subject area they once found intimidatingor observing the growth in their character as they navigate life.

WALKING IN PURPOSE

Those moments, she said, solidify that she is walking in her purpose.

“I grew up as a poor child with not many persons to look up to. So when I was younger I was mentored by the principal I first worked with, and he taught me skills – like just how to care for people, and how to be a part of the students’ life and make a difference, and that is what has stirred me towards giving back,” the Bonny Gate, St Mary native said.

Rhoden, who is also the head of deCarteret College’s IT department, said she collaborated with a team of IT specialists to support both staff and students in the effective integration of information and communications technology tools to enhance teaching and learning.

She also volunteers at Richmond Primary School, where she supports students in strengthening their numeracy skills in preparation for the Primary Exit Profile examinations.

As she looks towards more years in teaching, 51-year-old Rhoden Henry said she is determined to be a part of, and embrace, the technological transformation taking place in the education sector.

“I work with a group of people – it’s not just about me. I work with people at different age levels to ensure that whatever technology is out there, you are aware of it, and you integrate it into the classroom,” she said.

Top honours were also bestowed upon Orville Anthony Richards, principal of St Mary Technical High School, and Gavin DeRizzo of Vauxhall High School, who were named Principal and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Teacher of the Year, respectively.

DEEP PARTNERSHIPS

For Richards, his award is a result of the deep partnerships and support of all the stakeholders at the school he has headed for six years.

“We have a philosophy, we call it ‘one technical’, it’s not a tagline. It is inclusiveness in action; it’s being a part of a unique group that has so much competence, knowledge, expertise, and they are given that platform to express their level of creativity through my support,” he said.

He said his work at the school has been focused on improving its infrastructure and technological advancements, and it works to achieve its mandate of becoming a premier TVET institution in Jamaica.

An educator of 15 years, DeRizzo said this was not his first choice for a career, as he once harboured dreams of becoming an architect.

However, after not being accepted into that relevant programme, he was redirected to a field that he said has allowed him to make a difference in the lives of young people.

“I am honoured, I am truly honoured,” the industrial technology construction and technical drawing teacher said.

It was DeRizzo who recommended and facilitated the introduction of building technology (construction) as a subject in the school’s Industrial Arts Department in 2012, a subject area that has enjoyed consistent success in external examinations.

Pointing to the transformation that is happening in Jamaica’s construction industry and the shortage of skilled workers, he stated that it is crucial that TVET subject areas are championed in schools.

“I believe that construction is important. It is every Jamaican’s dream to own a home, and I know that for that dream to become a reality, construction is important, and that is why I try as best as possible, in my own little space, to impart knowledge in this area,” he said.

Along with their trophies, the awardees received cash prizes of $120,000 and a variety of gift baskets. They will also receive all-expense-paid opportunities to attend the 2026 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for June 28 to July 1 this year.

The awards ceremony has been a tradition for more than two decades.

In the meantime, James Rawle, executive chairman of Lasco Affiliated Companies, noted that the initiative, conceptualised by the late Lascelles Chin, founder of the Lasco Group of Companies, is now ingrained in the company.

“We are committed to continue his legacy in this regard, and so we seek each year to enrich and expand and deepen the programme,” he said.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com