Wycliffe Martin High School Teacher Honoured for Her Selfless Service

A teacher at Wycliffe Martin High School in Bailey’s Vale, St. Mary, Michelle Gordon, has received national recognition for her passion for supporting students and parents, as well as her dedicated volunteer work in the community.

Ms. Gordon was recognised with a Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education on May 28, at Jamaica House.

The Medal is granted to educators with a minimum of 15 years of outstanding service to education, demonstrating innovation, community involvement and commitment to student development.

“I was excited, it elicited all those good feelings when I heard that I was receiving the award,” Ms. Gordon told JIS News during an interview.

Ms. Gordon began her teaching career at the school in 1993 as a clothing teacher in the Home Economics Department. She now serves as Head of the Department at Wycliffe Martin High School.

Over the years, she has been assisting both students and parents in obtaining important documents and anything else that they need. She often helps with securing and completing important documents, such as birth certificate applications, and Tax Registration Number (TRN).

She also assists students with essential needs, including school uniforms, school supplies, meals, and access to medication.

“At school I would normally assist students with just about anything that they need. Students always need a birth certificate, so once I find out that they don’t have, I would step in and assist them with the filling out of the forms and handling the applications,” she shared.

Ms. Gordon’s support often goes beyond paperwork.

“Some students come to school without breakfast or lunch and I would assist them in getting something to start their day. Sometimes during the day, they might not have lunch and I would assist them with that or put a small package together for them to take home,” she noted.

Beyond her teaching duties, Ms. Gordon is involved in a number of community activities. She has served as the Past President of the Kiwanis Club of St Mary and has been an active member of the St Mary Chamber of Commerce, and a committee member of the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning.

Additionally, she is working to revive the community’s Neighbourhood Watch group.

“It is not as active as we would want it to be, so we have meetings once per month, or whenever the needs arise. We are trying to work together as a community to have it going, because we want to build a safer, stronger community,” she added.

On Labour Day, Ms. Gordon said she mobilised residents to participate in clean-up efforts, cutting grass and maintaining public spaces.

For more than four years, Ms. Gordon has volunteered assistance with the Bailey’s Vale Football Team.

“I would assist with writing letters, documentation and the inventory system for the team’s bar. The team also gives back – the funding goes toward helping the elderly, providing cooking gas and care packages,” she said.

Ms. Gordon has also volunteered at the Port Maria Infirmary, for about a month, offering support to mentally challenged individuals, some of whom are past students.

“Sometimes I would assist with food. If I cook, I will look for them and share with them. Sometimes I pay off food bills for them at food establishments where they would have purchased food and don’t have the money to pay,” she added.

Ms. Gordon credits her generous spirit to her parents who were always helping others.

“They were always giving back to any and everybody. It has become a part of me now. So whatever I have, I always try to share with someone,” she explained.

Her unwavering dedication has not gone unnoticed by her colleagues. Senior Teacher at Wycliffe Martin High School, Eva Coleman-Stamp, who has known Ms. Gordon for more than 20 years, praised her passion and commitment.

“She always goes above and beyond. If a student’s uniform is dirty at school, she washes and presses it. Also, if the uniform is torn, she would mend it. These are things that she does naturally,” she said.

Mrs. Coleman-Stamp recounted a specific case involving a grade-seven student who came to school hungry and without lunch. Ms Gordon ensured that the child had lunch and breakfast daily and even provided transportation when needed, she said.

“What I realised with her is that she doesn’t want any of her students to look odd or to look different from the others, because of poverty. She gives them lunch money. She is just that type of person when it comes on to student welfare; she even buys uniforms for them,” Mrs. Coleman-Stamp added.

She expressed pride in her colleague’s recognition, noting that it is a well-deserved honour.

“I am happy for her. I think it does not only give me hope but it gives other teachers hope and a sense of satisfaction, knowing that persons are being recognised for their hard work and for going the extra mile for the students. That will motivate others to do more things that are outside of the box and, hopefully, they too will be recognised,” Mrs. Coleman-Stamp said.