Shortwood Teachers’ College Honours Retirees

The St. Andrew based Shortwood Teachers’ College honoured 19 of its retiring staff members on March 20, with tributes, gift packages, plaques and other valuables. Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, who spoke at the special dinner at the college, called for the skills and expertise of retired persons to be accommodated to enhance institutional building across the island.

The Minister noted that thousands of persons have benefitted from the retirees’ tenure at the college, as they have helped to influence the students and their peers.

“Those who have worked in administrative capacities, we owe you a debt of gratitude, as we do to the hundreds and thousands of ancillary workers in the education system, who are largely unspoken for, but who keep the enterprise going,”  the Minister said.

The honourees were drawn from both the ancillary and academic groups. They served from four to 35 years at the college.

“They have contributed to improving and enriching the lives of others. We applaud the value of your contribution, not only to Shortwood Teachers’ College, but to the society in general,” said Dean of Principals, Mrs. Yvonne Clarke.

For his part, Chairman of the college, Earl Richards, urged the retirees to continue to provide mentoring and guidance where the need exists. “You have played a significant part in what has been accomplished, and the legacy of Shortwood Teachers’ College has your work and your contributions deeply enshrined,” he said.

“There is still much work to do, because your service is still needed. We need you as mentors, we need you to guide, not just the young, but everyone with whom you come in contact. Our country needs people who, by example, can communicate good and wholesome values, necessary for an amiable and decent society,” he added.

Social coach, Dr. Blossom O’ Meally-Nelson, who was guest speaker, encouraged the retirees to get familiar with the new trends in society, especially technology, and that while enjoying their new sphere, they should make time to earn from their experience.

Other tributes came from Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Mrs. Elaine Foster Allen, who is the immediate past principal of the college; Chairman of the Joint Board of Teacher Education, Dr. Rose Davies; and President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Dr. Mark Nicely.

The welcome was extended by Principal (Acting) of the college, Dr. Christopher Clarke.