Porus Infant Honours 14 Stalwarts

The Porus Infant School in Manchester honoured 14 of its stalwarts, for contributing to the institution’s development at an appreciation function, held at the Ridgemount United Church in Mandeville on May 27.
Those honoured included former Board Chairman, Rose Thomas, and current Vice Chairman, Joseph Thompson; teachers, Deb Geri Chambers, Beverly Lambert, Maurine Brooks, and Julian McGregor-Williams; ancillary staff, Velma Anderson, Lavern Anderson, Hortense Gordon, Derrick Williams, Herman Douglas, Rupert Baker, and Barnett Emporium; and retired early childhood education officer, Eleanor Senior.
Chairman of the school Board, Emily Morgan, in lauding the recipients, said their effort at building the school community in Porus, was made through sacrifices, “and it was about bringing up our children.”
“In your different spheres, you have, in special ways, made men and women by ensuring that a good environment existed for learning at Porus Infant,” Miss Morgan said.
In his tribute, former teacher at the school and current Principal at Nazareth All-Age School in Manchester, Garth Smith, said the contribution of the recipients represented the overcoming of challenges. “I know that their lives have been challenging, but over the years they have met these challenges and turned them into opportunities for the students,” he said.
Guest speaker and Senior Secretary for Administration and Finance at the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Dr. Dorothy Raymond, said despite changes in the society that have affected social attitudes, there are persons with other options, who remain in the classroom, and that those honoured belong to a set of Jamaicans who believe in giving.
“You all have in common service to others. You have touched lives and have made a difference. There is no job that brings satisfaction than that of teaching because you are helping to shape a brighter future,” Dr. Raymond said.
Replying on behalf of the awardess, Mrs. McGregor-Williams said the appreciation was welcomed, “and we are gracious that our service to education is recognised while we are alive.
“We knew that the teaching profession required hard work and discipline, and we did our best. This public acknowledgement will always be remembered,” she said.