Retired Principal of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College Honoured

Retired Principal of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, in Granville, St. James, Dr. Cecile Walden, has been honoured for 40 years of dedicated service to the college and the general teaching profession.
The function was hosted by the Board of Management, principal, staff, students and past students of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, at the institution, on March 20.
In his message, read by Custos of St. James, Hon. Patrick Corrodus, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen said that Dr. Walden had contributed to the teaching of a cadre of professionals whose knowledge, wisdom and courage must continue to be made available to the development of Jamaica.

Principal of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, in Granville, St. James, Dr. Asburn Pinnock (left) and retired Principal of the college, Dr. Cecile Walden (right), participate in a candle lighting ceremony, during a recent appreciation ceremony for Dr. Walden, held at the college, on March 20.

“The qualities of an educator include exhibiting an inclination to engage students in life-long learning, creative self-preparation and professional development. I believe Dr. Cecile Walden’s forty-year sojourn in the teaching arena embodies those qualities and has made her the acclaimed educator, as she is so fittingly being recognised. Her legacy is realised in the graduates whose self confidence and motivation has been boosted by her interaction with them. In her administration of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, Dr. Walden has instilled a culture of service within the graduates, which extends to the wider community,” the Governor-General noted.
He said that Dr. Walden’s philosophy that “students can get knowledge from anywhere and so teachers should help them to fashion their personality and values,” pointed to a direction which the country should embrace, so education could add worth to the people’s lives.
“I am pleased to join the Faculty, staff and students of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in applauding Dr. Cecile Walden for her forty years of service to the teaching profession. She has left a legacy of achievement based on excellence, hard work and commitment and is deserving of commendation,” the Governor-General said.

Principal of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, in Granville, St. James, Dr. Asburn Pinnock (right), with past Principals, Dr. Simon Clarke and Dr. Cecile Walden, at the appreciation function for Dr. Walden, held at the college on March 20.

Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, in his message, which was read by Minister of Water and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang, said that Dr. Walden’s contribution to education spanned the entire gamut of the education sector, from the early childhood level, which was the foundation on which the future of the children was built, to the highest level of tertiary education.
“Many of our country’s teachers and educators have dedicated their lives to one of ‘service above self’ to our children and nation, in pursuit of their mandate of securing a solid education for our people, and for this they deserve high commendations. Dr. Cecile Walden is one such Jamaican educator. A journey of over forty years in the nation’s education sector, while characterised by many changes and challenges – challenges which failed to daunt or deter a woman dedicated to her profession or to dampen a burning spirit of service – is also filled with many successes,” the Prime Minister said.
“I am particularly pleased to be given this opportunity of sharing my own personal admiration of this educator extraordinaire and woman of excellence. I am confident that although her formal tenure in education has come to a close – her ‘door’ still remains open to continue making her contribution in whatever way she chooses,” the Prime Minister said.
In her reply, Dr. Walden said she was appreciative to be recognised for her service to the college, which was “dear to her heart.”
“I am satisfied that I have served my fellowmen and my country in this capacity and would like to challenge all my colleagues and especially the Members of Parliament, Dr. Horace Chang and Mr. Clive Mullings, to assist in the realisation of my dream of seeing the completion of the Resource Centre and Library for the campus, for the benefit of the student teachers here and the wider Sam Sharpe community,” she said.
Dr. Walden joined the staff of the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in 1975 as one of the pioneers when it first opened its doors. After serving as Lecturer for several years, her outstanding performance and administrative ability were recognised and in 1985 she was appointed Principal, serving with distinction for 15 years.