Nominations Open for Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards

Nominations are now opened for the Lasco/Ministry of Education Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards 2007.
Speaking at the official launch on(October 4), at the offices of the Ministry at Heroes Circle in Kingston, Chief Executive Officer of the Lasco Group of Companies, Lascelles Chin said the annual awards ceremony represents the Ministry’s and Lasco’s commitment to rewarding excellence in the education system.
“Many of the teachers have to contend with overcrowding in classrooms, inadequate equipment, poor sanitation facilities, violence in schools and volatile communities in which the schools are located. Despite these challenges they soldier on. We want to tell our teachers over and over, we love them and appreciate their sacrifices,” he said.
In outlining the selection criteria, Mr. Chin said that nominated teachers and principals will be judged on their involvement in the community; professional development; commitment to education; classroom competency; effective communication skills; and scholarly work.
“Teachers vying for the award should also demonstrate a planned approach to teaching and learning and should also provide creative leadership that inspire all stakeholders to achieve and contribute to the school community,” he informed.
Nomination and evaluation forms are now available at the Ministry of Education’s Regional offices and the Professional Development Unit at the Ministry, as well as the Ministry of Education’s website at www.moeyc.gov.jm. Among the prizes this year is an all-expense paid trip for the winning principal and teacher to the annual conference of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development in Louisiana, United States in March of next year, $100,000 cash to the winning teacher and principal, trophies, gift baskets, and other prizes. Nomination closes on Friday, October 26.