Veteran Enid Bennett High School Educator is Region 6 Teacher of the Year

For more than two decades, Head of the Language Department at Enid Bennett High School in St. Catherine, Camille Brown, has quietly but powerfully shaped young minds, leaving an indelible mark on her students, colleagues and the wider school community.

For her dedication, the veteran educator was named Teacher of the Year 2025-2026 by Friends of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s Region 6.

The awards ceremony, held last December at Old Harbour High School, celebrated top-performing Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students, and school leaders and teachers for exceptional service.

For Ms. Brown, the moment was both humbling and deeply affirming. It was a long-overdue acknowledgment of a career built on passion, perseverance, and purpose.

“I was very elated, yes, that was the feeling,” she shares with JIS News.

Ms. Brown’s 22-year journey as an educator has been defined by her unwavering commitment to literacy and language development.

Serving as both a literacy specialist and Head of the Language Department, she has consistently championed the importance of strong communication skills as the foundation of student success.

Her classroom is not merely a place of instruction, but a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to find their voices, build confidence, and strive for excellence.

Over the years, her leadership has extended beyond lesson delivery, influencing curriculum development and mentoring fellow teachers.

In a citation read at the ceremony, she was hailed as an innovative, dedicated and highly effective educator, who is known for her exceptional work ethic, methodologist expertise, and strong advocacy for Special Education Needs (SEN) students.

“Her leadership is marked by inclusivity, collaboration and a commitment to ensuring success for all learners, regardless of background or circumstance. Her recognition as Teacher of the Year also reflects a broader record of excellence,” it said.

A passionate advocate for literacy and professional excellence, Ms. Brown has been instrumental in significantly improving student outcomes, moving Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) English results from 32 per cent to 67 per cent and achieving 63 per cent in City and Guilds English.

Further, she is involved in mentoring, record keeping, and the development of Individualised Intervention Plans, assessment strategies, and innovative tools such as a Reading Report Card for non-readers and integrates technology seamlessly into teaching and learning.

Over the years, Ms. Brown has received awards for creativity and outstanding
contribution to language and literacy education, reflecting her effectiveness in teaching and her strong leadership as department head.

Yet, despite these accolades, she remains grounded, viewing each achievement not as a personal triumph alone but as a testament to the collective effort of her school community.

She credits the support and guidance of her mentors, including former Head of Department, Elaine Reid; Acting Principal, Constance Blake; and Head of Literacy at Region 6, Tazmonica Beckford.

“They have been my guide. They have motivated me and guided me, and I am eternally grateful to them,” Ms. Brown tells JIS News.

At the heart of Ms. Brown’s philosophy is a commitment to equity in education. She passionately advocates for greater recognition of teachers who work with students placed in Pathway Three of PEP, who require targeted intervention.

The educator hailed the Friends of Region 6 for not only recognising students but teachers as well.

“There are teachers who are doing an extraordinary job in the education system. They are moving the education along… and I am really grateful that there is such an organisation in Region 6,” she shares with JIS News.

Chairman of Friends of Region 6, Anne Geddes-Spence, tells JIS News that the awards are geared towards expressing appreciation for the hard work of school leaders, teachers, and workers and highlighting the PEP students who have performed well in their examinations.

She notes that the objective is to “encourage our teachers and our staff members to work hard, to continue working hard to build their country and to build the education system at large. We are extremely grateful for the contributions”.

Friends of Region 6 supports educational institutions in St. Catherine by recognising excellence among students, teachers, and staff through annual awards.

The group provides supplies to schools and students facing challenges.

During the ceremony, Principal of the St. Catherine-based Greater Portmore High School, Ricardo Ross, was named Principal of the Year, while teacher at the Enid Bennett High School, Nickesha Lindo, was presented with the Helping Hand Award.