Ten teachers have gone to the top of the class after copping the 2019 Royal Fidelity National Distinguished Teachers’ Awards.
The annual awards, established in 2010, are hosted by the Royal Fidelity Merchant Bank & Trust (Barbados) Ltd, in association with the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, to acknowledge the immense contribution teachers make towards Barbados’ development.
The awardees have excelled in every area of the teaching profession, from nursery to tertiary education.
Winners’ row
Anya Holmes – Eden Lodge Nursery
Primary School
Anderson Butcher – St Martin’s Mangrove Primary School
Cynara Colucci-Francis – St Christopher Primary School
Shioma Porte – Ellerton Primary School
Norma Warner – Charles F. Broome Primary School
Secondary School:
Astrid Alleyne – St Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School
Dave Jackman – Springer Memorial Secondary School
Sixth Form: LaTeisha Leon-Barker – The Lodge School
Special Needs: Shantel Lynch – Erdiston Special School
Tertiary: Walter Harris – Barbados Community College.
In a media statement, Royal Fidelity’s Vice President and Barbados Country Head, Jillian Nunes, said that in spite of the difficult times brought on by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the awardees were very vocal about their passion for teaching.
“During times of uncertainty, it’s these feel good stories that bring us together as a community. The inception of the Royal Fidelity National Distinguished Teachers’ Awards was based on the understanding that great teachers inspire greatness in students, and accordingly should receive acknowledgement for their sterling service, especially those efforts which involve going above and beyond to motivate students. Deservedly so, great teachers must be lauded for their role in shaping this nation by educating our future leaders,” she said.
Members of the public, including fellow teachers, school administrators, parents and students, were invited to nominate teachers with no less than five years teaching experience across both public and private schools.
The ‘Blue Ribbon Judging Panel’, comprising retired principal of The St Michael School and Chief Judge, Shelton Perkins; retired Deputy Principal of the Barbados Community College, Dr Sylvia Hackett; and former principal of Lawrence T. Gay Primary School, Beverley Parris, chose the ten outstanding teachers who exemplify excellence in education.
Queen’s College received a $500 prize for submitting the most nominations. (BGIS)
