Education Minister Commends Teachers

Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, Maxine Henry-Wilson, has commended teachers who have remained in the classroom, “despite the significant challenges and negative encounters”.

“You have kept the ultimate prize in mind, and you are not daunted by all the naysayers, many of whom you encounter each day,” the Minister told the teachers.

She was speaking at the LASCO Teacher of the Year Awards function, where Clover Thompson-Gordon, Principal of the Denham Town High School in Kingston, was named Teacher of the Year.

The function took place recently at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston.

Mrs. Henry-Wilson described the parish awardees as persons who were not push-overs and who have given a significant portion of their lives, a lot of energy and sometimes many tears, to accomplish their goals.

“You have epitomized what leadership means and you have also epitomized what service to country and community means,” she said.

Congratulating the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the LASCO Group of Companies, Lascelles Chin, on his vision, the Minister highlighted the partnership being forged between business and the public sector. “It is only by working together that we’re going to be able to achieve all our aims and objectives in terms of nation building,” she stressed.

Mrs. Thompson-Gordon was presented with the LASCO Trophy, as well as a cheque for $100,000. She also received two tickets to any Air Jamaica destination in the Caribbean or the United States of America (except Los Angeles).

The runner-up, Claude Rattray, Vice Principal of Christiana High School in Manchester, received a LASCO trophy and a cheque for $50,000.

The function was also attended by government officials, members of the diplomatic community, members of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) Executive, the Public Defender and other LASCO awardees, including the Nurse, Pharmacist, and Policeman of the Year.