Mon | Sep 8, 2025

Miller-Wisdom honoured for service to John Rollins Success Primary

Published:Wednesday | May 7, 2025 | 12:06 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
Yvonne Miller-Wisdom (centre), retired principal of the John Rollins Success Primary School and Infant School, with the assistance of Councillor Anthony Murray, principal of Barrett Town Primary School, prepares to cut the ribbon to formally open the Yvonn
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Yvonne Miller-Wisdom (centre), retired principal of the John Rollins Success Primary School and Infant School, with the assistance of Councillor Anthony Murray, principal of Barrett Town Primary School, prepares to cut the ribbon to formally open the Yvonne Miller-Wisdom Multiple Intelligences Room on May 6. Others sharing in the occasion include Tiffany Grayson (second right), president of the school’s parent-teacher association; and Jacqueline Gordon (right), senior education officer, Ministry of Education, Skills Youth and Information.

WESTERN BUREAU:

Renowned educator Yvonne Miller-Wisdom was celebrated on Monday for her outstanding contributions to education, including 20 years as the founding principal of the John Rollins Success Primary and Infant School in St James. The school community paid tribute to her during a special dedication ceremony, recognising her four decades of distinguished service to education in Jamaica.

Miller-Wisdom was hailed as the embodiment of “echoes of excellence” for her pivotal role in transforming the school into one of western Jamaica’s most exemplary institutions.

Edmund Bartlett, member of parliament for St James East Central, praised Miller-Wisdom as an “educator, leader, and a true inspiration”. He credited her leadership not only with building a reputable institution but also with nurturing a culture of respect, responsible citizenship, and meaningful learning.

“She has imprinted her class and quality of leadership, but more importantly, she has implanted deep principles of respect and a deep sense of commitment to learning,” Bartlett said in a recorded message.

He further praised Miller-Wisdom for shaping the characters and careers of countless former students, who are now excelling in various professional fields.

LEAVE A LEGACY BEHIND

“The power and the strength of leadership is not about the moments when you lead,” Bartlett said. “It’s the legacy that is left behind and how that strength of character persists and enables greater levels of success.”

To commemorate her enduring impact, the school unveiled the Yvonne Miller-Wisdom Multiple Intelligences Room, a dedicated space designed to foster creativity and inclusive education for future generations. Originally established over 20 years ago with a US$5,000 donation from comedian and television host Broderick Stephen Harvey Sr, the facility suffered termite damage during the suspension of face-to-face classes during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been restored.

Miller-Wisdom, who conceptualised the room, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the honour.

“I wasn’t expecting this, and just to see parents, students, staff, the ministry representative, and the community present here to give me a send-off,” she said, noting that her efforts were all due to her love for the nation’s children and the hope that they would move on to be better – one step ahead.

“And I hope and pray that the foundation that I’ve made will continue, and they will move beyond it. As we know, we are in the digital era, and I hope and pray that with so much knowledge available, the school can only get better as the foundation has been laid,” she said.

Beyond her leadership at the school, Miller-Wisdom has made significant contributions to education across St James through her involvement with the East Central St James Education Foundation, empowering students outside the classroom.

A passionate writer and curriculum contributor, she has been producing science and social studies content for The Gleaner’s Children’s Own since 2018 to support grade six students preparing for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams. She also co-authored the Carlong Religious Education Text for grades five and six and contributed journals for the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

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