Ava Greenidge has only been a teacher for eight years, but her work as an educator has stood out, making her a finalist in the CLICO/NATION Barbados Teachers' Awards set for Sunday at Hilton Barbados. She teaches at Workman's Primary in St George.
"Ava was unanimously selected by members of staff and endorsed by me. She is a very young teacher, but from the start when she joined the staff in 2000 she always displayed leadership qualities, outstanding qualities. You could see it in her talk and in her walk. She always showed potential. She is an asset for the future because her heart is in it," said principal Joan Brewster.
Greenidge said she felt honoured.
"It's an honour, I tell you, especially when I look at the other finalists and I compare myself with who I consider veterans, people who have been teaching for over 20 years. I thought it was just an honour and I am excited. It's a proud moment for me to know that my peers see the potential in me," she said.
Juggling betweenbeing a first-time mother of a 15-month-old daughter, and a classroom of eight-and nine-year-olds, one would thinkthat Greenidge hadher hands full.
But she handles it all like a seasoned pro. In fact, she indulges her time with pupils like she does with her baby at home.
"For me it's all about the children and what can I learn from these children today. You'll find that every day they bring something new and keep me on my toes to see how I can best accommodate them. I have learned as a teacher that it is all about individuality, finding out who they are and reaching them at their level. It encourages me to realise it's not only about literacy and numeracy, but to appreciate all the different intelligence in our kids." said Greenidge.
Greenidge told the DAILY NATION that celebrating this individuality was a theory she lived by both in and out the classroom.
With a small picture of Christ hanging in the corner of her classroom, Greenidge explained that her spirituality was also a driving force making her a better teacher.
"I am part of the Christian School Fellowship here because I am a Christian and I know God's guidance really helps me to be competent in all I do."
Greenidge was also fully appreciatiive of those past teachers who had inspired her.
"I particularly am inspired by Alwin Lewis who taught here when I first came to Workman's Primary.
"He taught me to develop a friendship with the children, not buddy-buddy, but the kind that makes you find out where they are coming from and that will help to take it from there. He was a great advisor and a resource bank for me.
"Also Jeff Broomes, who was a great mentor and my tutor for a course when I attended Erdiston College.
"He told me professional development was important and encouraged me to join the Association for Supervisor Curriculum Development, the Technology Academy and attend many other conferences which have helped me in my profession to this day," she said.
Although her resumé might not read as extensive as the other finalists, in Greenidge's short time she has made a difference outside the school gates as well.
In 2001-2002, she was parish ambassador where under her leadership, a park was erected next to St George's Parish Church which included a fountain to enhance the community, a place for the elderly to relax and the children to play safely.
She is currently involved with the Inter-School Christian Fellowship and other church-oriented work.