Exemplary father, master teacher, supportive husband and a godly man - Garth Dixon strikes the balance
Published:Saturday | February 2, 2019 | 12:00 AM
Mandeville, Manchester:
He has been a teacher for over 20 years and just recently took up the post of acting vice-principal at the Mandeville Primary School.
However, for a considerable part of those 20 years, Garth Dixon took on even more important roles, that of husband and father; all while juggling the rigours of his day job – and excelling at it.
Teaching at almost all the levels of the education system while coordinating activities for children, Dixon knows all too well what sleepless nights look like and a need for more time in the day.
“I have experienced many highs and lows, but I wouldn’t change anything because I believe I was called to do what it is that I am doing. I believe that all that I have gone through helped me with making me who I am today.”
Dixon told Family & Religion that last year was one of the most trying, yet rewarding periods in his life, having won several accolades, despite having to manage family life and work requirements.
He was made a grade coordinator; awarded the prestigious inaugural award of Teacher of the Year; and was one of the five short-listed finalists in the Ministry of Education’s Math Teacher of the Year competition. He was also nominated for the Lasco Teacher of the Year award, and awarded for having made it to top six.
MASTER TEACHER
Dixon, who also applied for and copped the Master Teacher title, a competition hosted by the Ministry of Education and sanctioned by the Jamaica Teaching Council, saw his days seeming shorter as the yearlong process was tedious and required serious work.
The father of three says had it not been for his wife, he would not have been able to do all he did with reading for a second bachelor’s degree and also his master’s degree, among other things.
“You know, sometimes I would come home late and I would get a cussing from my wife because with three children, helping them with homework and getting them something to eat, it’s kind of pressuring. But despite it all, she has been super supportive. She has been a tower of strength and, as a matter of fact, majority of what I have achieved I would attribute it to her, because she sees in me some things I don’t even see in myself.”
With having to prepare students for their assessment, oftentimes it was hard for Dixon to devote the necessary time to his children and for that he praises his wife’s effort for helping him to strike the balance.
“My wife is simply a marvellous woman who stepped in – and continues to step in – for me when I fall short. During all that I had going on, my eldest son had his Grade Six Achievement Test and he was the youngest in class, because he skipped a grade, and managed to do so well. He just missed the national average by a point.”
He added that his wife reminds him constantly that with everything they do they are building a life for their children to emulate.
“My belief in God plays a key role in how I live my life, and I believe that with Him all things are possible. I am very grateful and humbled by what He has done for me. When I assumed office as acting VP, I asked God for two things: the spirit of discernment and the spirit of humility.”
Dixon, the consummate family man, said he will do anything to ensure his family is taken care of.
SHARING TASKS
“I cook, wash, iron … my wife and I share all the tasks. There are things that we will do individually, but for the most part, we share tasks and it’s not an issue. Like all marriages, we have our ups and downs, but we try to create a home environment that is conducive to our children. We know family time is important and so we take our family trips around the island when we can, visit the beach and we have movie nights …”
Having ensured his family has a home to call their own, Dixon said he wants his children more than ever to know that they can be anything they want to be if they work hard and trust God and remain humble.
“Anybody can be a parent, but not everyone can be a father as it takes an acknowledgement of responsibilities and an as-long-as- I-have-breath commitment to stand by those responsibilities.”