TVET Teacher of the Year Shaping Future of Students at Vauxhall High

What began as a second choice of study in university has evolved into a lifelong calling for Gavin DeRizzio, one that now shapes not just his future, but that of countless students.

On March 25, that unexpected path earned him national recognition as LASCO/Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information/Jamaica Teaching Council 2025 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Teacher of the Year.

“Education was not my first choice. I wanted to pursue a career in the field of architecture. However, upon applying, I did not get through to go to the Faculty of the Built Environment, in particular, the Caribbean School of Architecture,” he recounted in an interview with JIS News.

He was offered a space in the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, with the plan of transitioning to his preferred faculty.

However, Mr. DeRizzio enjoyed the courses and mentorship he received from the different lecturers in the skill area and that led him to complete a bachelor’s degree in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, specialising in Industrial Technology – Construction.

He also holds a master’s degree in the Built Environment, specialising in Construction Project Management and has completed the Professional Qualification for Principalship with the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL).

Since joining the teaching staff at Vauxhall High School in September 2011, Mr. DeRizzio has taught Industrial Technology, Construction and Technical Drawing, steadily building a reputation for excellence and innovation.

His impact deepened in 2012 when he successfully introduced Building Technology (Construction) to the Industrial Arts Department, a move that has since delivered consistent academic success, with students achieving pass rates of 80 per cent and above in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

His leadership was formally recognised in 2014 when he was promoted to Head of the Industrial Arts Department.

Nearly a decade later, in January 2023, he was appointed by the Jamaica Teaching Council as a Master Teacher of Building Technology, further affirming his influence in the field.

Despite these accomplishments, Mr. DeRizzio remains focused on purpose rather than praise.

“It is an awesome feeling. I have always tried to make a difference in the lives of the students that I come in contact with, not knowing that persons external to the school were paying attention and actually seeing it fit to nominate me. I’m truly honoured,” he said of receiving the TVET Teacher of the Year award.

At the heart of his teaching is a philosophy that ensures students do more than just learn theory.

That approach is visible across the Vauxhall campus through a series of student-led projects that have transformed the school environment over the years.

From the construction of park benches and a drinking fountain to the renovation of departmental spaces and the installation of corridor sheds linking buildings, these initiatives serve both functional and educational purposes.

“I try to plan a practical for each topic that I deliver, so that students can experience real-life examples,” Mr. DeRizzio added, emphasising his commitment to hands-on learning.

Apart from his engagement at Vauxhall High, Mr. DeRizzio has lectured part-time at three prominent tertiary institutions in Jamaica and serves as an external examiner for two tertiary institutions.

He serves as a marker of CSEC Industrial Technology Building and Technical Drawing.

He shared that Jamaica is transforming with a lot of construction taking place.

“Construction is expected to be resilient in the face of climate change, and construction is expected to fulfil the aesthetic appeal that people expect of the spaces that are being constructed. I believe that construction is important. It is every Jamaican’s dream to own a home and I know that for that dream to become a reality, construction is important, and that is why I try as best as possible in my own little space to impart knowledge in this area,” he told JIS News.