Outstanding Educators Rewarded

St. Andrew High School for Girls Chemistry teacher, Franklin Burrell, and Principal of Belmont Academy in Westmoreland, Rayon Simpson, have been named LASCO/Ministry of Education and Youth/Jamaica Teaching Council 2023 Teacher and Principal of the Year.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Teacher of the Year award was copped by Manning’s School’s Ilene Cohall-Bailey.

The three outstanding educators, who were chosen from a pool of 130 nominees, were recognised at Tuesday’s (December 5) awards ceremony held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

They each received $100,000, plaques and gift baskets courtesy of LASCO, and will have the opportunity to attend the 2024 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Conference in Washington DC from March 22 to 25, 2024, which will aid in enriching their professional development.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, in congratulating the educators, thanked them for their commitment to excellence.

“We applaud you for the sacrifices, the spirited discussions and the compassionate care with which you exhibit your duties. We congratulate you on being faithful and diligent stewards in the moulding of the minds of our students,” she said.

She hailed the country’s educators, noting that the role they play in the development of young minds and lives is “beyond significant”.

“The measure of what you pour into these minds is reflected in the successes of Jamaicans at home and abroad,” she said.

Executive Chairman of LASCO Affiliated Companies, James Rawle, shared that the award programme’s unbroken longevity, since 1997, attests to its relevance to the education fraternity.

He noted that the company’s founder, the late Lascelles Chin, who conceptualised the initiative, was passionate about education and was a firm believer in recognising and rewarding excellence in tangible ways.

“We commend all the awardees on your outstanding and dedicated service, which we are recognising here today, and wish you continued success in your varied areas of endeavour. The future of our country rests in your capable hands as it has always been, and LASCO commits to be on that journey with you our distinguished educators,” Mr. Rawle remarked.

An elated Mr. Burrell said that even though he was among the top-three contenders for the Teacher of the Year award, he was shocked that he won.

A teacher for 25 years, two decades of which have been spent at St. Andrew High School for Girls and the remaining five years at Holy Childhood High School, the chemistry teacher has introduced several innovative learning technologies in the classroom that have significantly enhanced student outcomes.

“I am invested in technology and using technology to deliver lessons, so I want to focus on that and help others to be effective educators and have interactive classes using technology,” Mr. Burrell said of his plans for the year of engagement.

In addition to his academic roles, the Teacher of the Year coaches the school’s basketball team, which he has steered to multiple championships.

This, he said, has taught him the importance of teamwork, discipline and perseverance and has also offered valuable insights into student motivation and the role of extracurricular activities in holistic education.

For his part, Principal of the Year, Mr. Simpson, who has been an educator for 24 years, said the award is a testament to his hard work.

The head of the Westmoreland-based institution for the past 12 years, where he is focused on preparing students for future success, Mr. Simposn shared his belief in mentorship in revolutionising the education sector.

“Effective principalship has to do with outcomes. It is how you are able to get the young people to graduate high school being ready for either the world of work or further studies. I ensure that every single year, the vast majority of our students leave school with at least five subjects,” he noted.

The awards ceremony was held under the theme ‘Quality Education Reconceptualised in the Digital Space’.