Staff At Jonathan Grant High Honoured
By: May 6, 2022 ,The Full Story
Several staff members at the Jonathan Grant High School in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, have been honoured for exemplary service and dedication to education delivery.
Principal of the school, Dr. O’Neil Ankle, told JIS News that the awards scheme has been going on for eight of the 10 years that he has been Principal at the institution, as they had to take a two-year break because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
He said the awardees and students have welcomed the acknowledgement for good work and deeds.
“We value your work and worth. We may not be able to pay you the kind of money that your work values, but we can appreciate you by giving you an award that you can look on 10 to 15 years. It is just valuing people’s service,” the Principal said.
Dr. Ankle added that the awards that were given on [May 2], during Education Week, were for the current term, and they were for all categories of staff, from ancillary to academics.
“The atmosphere was great. Coming from a pandemic, we are trying to lift the morale of persons, and this will never stop. You have to find ways to motivate our teachers, and this is just one way,” he said.
For Krisan Thomas, who started teaching at the school in November 2019, the Principal’s Award – Form Teacher of the Term – was a surprise.
“I never expected that. Now I have to work extra hard,” she said.
Miss Thomas, who is a past student of the institution, said all the teachers deserved the awards, as she was taught by some of them, and experienced their dedication.
She said her main motivation is the students, and the award “gives us drive, and motivates us”.
“Our work is not unnoticed. It is being seen, and we have to keep going forward,” Ms. Thomas added.
Teacher of the Term, Kerry-Ann Lawes, said she is in her first official teaching job, since September 2021.
“I did my best, and they noticed that I am working hard. This will help me to work even harder. I am very motivated to help young minds, and will continue to ensure that students are achieving,” she added.