Three educators honoured with prestigious awards
All finalists took home cash prizes
Published:Saturday | December 7, 2024 | 12:08 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Three educators shone brightly yesterday as they emerged victorious from a distinguished group of nine finalists at the 2024 LASCO/Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information/Jamaica Teaching Council’s Teacher, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards.
Casmina Bryan, a teacher at Manchester High School, earned the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award.
Tracy-Ann Hall, an auto-mechanic teacher at Jonathan Grant High School in Spanish Town, St Catherine, took home the coveted Technical and Vocational Education and Training Teacher of the Year Award.
And the Principal of the Year Award went to Sheldon Thomas, headmaster of Fern Court High School in St Ann, who also secured the Popular Vote Award.
The annual ceremony, held in the glitzy Pegasus Ballroom at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston under the theme ‘Challenges There Are, but Excellence Prevails’, saw 125 educators receiving certificates and plaques for their outstanding contributions to education in Jamaica. The judges narrowed the competition to nine finalists.
RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE
Bryan, thrilled and heartened by the honour, shared her excitement with The Gleaner.
“You work hard, dedicate yourself, and keep pushing. I’m truly happy to be recognised for my efforts,” she said.
Bryan, who described the process as rigorous yet rewarding, also walked away with $100,000 in prize money and other gifts.
“I love challenges and always strive to rise to the occasion. At Manchester High, we give 150 per cent or more in everything we do,” she added. Bryan anticipates a challenging but fulfilling year ahead as she embraces her role as Teacher of the Year.
The first runner-up for Teacher of the Year, Elcia Francis-Davis of May River Primary School in St Mary, received $50,000; while Sashane Stone-Golbourne of Aberdeen High School in St Elizabeth, the second runner-up, was awarded $25,000.
HIGHLIGHTING TVET CONTRIBUTIONS
TVET Teacher of the Year recipient Tracy-Ann Hall, an educator for 25 years, expressed her gratitude for the recognition.
“A lot of times, teachers work tirelessly and feel unnoticed, but this award shows that our efforts don’t go unseen,” Hall told The Gleaner.
Hall emphasised the importance of TVET, especially for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
“Many of our students are below the poverty line. Acquiring a skill can be life-changing, allowing them to work and pursue further education,” she explained.
Introduced to auto mechanics at age 13 while attending St Catherine High School, Hall overcame dyslexia to carve a successful career.
“Critics doubted me because I didn’t pass exams in high school. But with perseverance, I studied while working and learning a trade. That propelled me to where I am now,” Hall shared, noting her commitment to helping students with learning challenges.
Hall also received $100,000.
The first runner-up for TVET Teacher of the Year was Nadia Jones from Carron Hall High School in St Mary; while Shaniel Davis-Brown of Bridgeport High School in Portmore took the second runner-up spot. They were awarded $50,000 and $25,000, respectively.
DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP RECOGNISED
Principal of the Year, Sheldon Thomas, credited his success to the collaborative efforts of his school community.
“I owe this to my board of management, teachers, students – past and present – and parents who all work towards the vision of excellence at Fern Court High,” he said.
Under Thomas’s leadership, Fern Court High saw a 34 per cent increase in mathematics performance and improved its National Education Inspectorate rating from “satisfactory” to “good” in 2024.
Described by the judges as a dynamic leader with a proven track record in academics and extracurricular activities, Thomas, with over 20 years in education, also walked away with $100,000.
The first runner-up for Principal of the Year was Nadeen Gayle-Little of Beulah All-Age School in Clarendon; and the second runner-up was Dr Lavern Stewart of Anchovy High School in St James. They received $50,000 and $25,000, respectively.
Now in its 27th year, the LASCO Foundation Teachers’ Awards continue to honour the remarkable achievements of educators who inspire excellence in Jamaica’s education sector.