Badge of Honour for Educator of 40 Years

There was a time when the dream of almost every little Jamaican girl was to grow up and become a teacher, and while the minds of many changed over time, one little girl did all she could to make that dream a reality.

Born and raised in Sawyers, Trelawny, Patience Deloris Williams recalls that her father was a farmer and ensured that she and her siblings were always in school.

With eyes set on making the most of what she had and learning all that she could, she sat and passed the first, second and third Jamaica local examinations.

To many it would seem that she was following in the footsteps of her older siblings, who were also teachers, but Mrs. Williams made her own mark on the Jamaican education system, which she has served for more than 40 years.

For her 40-odd years of dedicated service to the Jamaican education system and the development of her community, Mrs. Williams was one of 30 recipients of the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service, at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony, held at King’s House on Monday, October 17.

Her award was collected by her son, Dr. Roger Williams.

“I am grateful that this has come true, because it was something I never ever expected, as I try to do what I do in order that others can benefit. I hope that the persons who benefited from what I did will, in turn, make their mark, so that others, too, can be grateful to them,” Mrs. Williams says.

She began her teaching career as a pretrained teacher at her alma mater, Sawyers Elementary School, in 1959.

“I then went on to Duncans Primary School where I spent some time. From there I made my move to go to a teachers’ college and I chose the St. Joseph’s Teachers’ College,” Mrs. Williams tells JIS News.

At St. Joseph’s, she received a Diploma in Education. She then pursued a Certificate in Education Management and Supervision from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

After finishing her studies at the UWI, Mrs. Williams worked as a teacher at the Roehampton Primary School in St. James, in 1963, before moving to the Tower Hill All-Age and Anchovy Primary Schools, also in the parish. At the Anchovy Primary School, she taught a class of 109 boys before matriculating into the role of vice principal and then principal.

Over the years that Mrs. Williams has served the education system, she shares that there were times when she struggled.

“It was a little difficult sometimes even to deal with the adults around me, but I did not make them turn me off, because I knew I had a mission to share, and so I did. So yes, we met with adults who would complain just about everything, and we met with stubborn children who thought that they should not learn,” she says.

Mrs. Williams, who retired in 2000, tells JIS News that it was her continuous love for teaching that kept her throughout the years.

“There were children who were charming. The more I did, the more I wanted to do it, because I was satisfied at the end of the day. I love teaching and as long as I can impart something on somebody and I see that it helps, I won’t stop,” she adds.

Even though she left the classroom 22 years ago, she did not stop teaching, as she taught quilting at the Senior Learning Institute in St. James.

“I have always taught quilting. I love to use my hands and I love to inspire people about what they can do to change their lives. I love teaching sincerely,” she says.

Mrs. Williams also worked with numerous young people and has served on multiple committees geared towards the development of her community.

She was also President of the Anchovy District Association of the Jamaica Teachers’ College, President of the Anchovy Citizens Association, and a member of the Garland Hall Memorial Home’s Board of Directors. Mrs. Williams remained on the Board of the Garland Hall Memorial Home until 2019.

From 1968 until she retired in 2000, Mrs. Williams was a member of the Girl Guides Association of Jamaica. She also took on additional roles, such as District Commissioner for Hanover.

The Educator says she would love to be remembered as the person who gave sincerely from her heart, and that whatever a person does, it should be done from his or her heart.

“Do it in sincerity, be consistent and focused, and that in the end, if it even doesn’t show an impact immediately, it will show after a while,” Mrs. Williams adds.