LASCO Teacher of the Year - A journey from 'E' student to excellent educator
Published:Saturday | December 10, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer
EWARTON, St Catherine:
AS A result of financial challenges, Tracy-Ann Beckford's family had to relocate to different sections of Ewarton, St Catherine, in the early years of her childhood. As such, by the time she became a primary school student, she had attended five basic schools.
This had adverse effects on learning and she was placed in a class with the slowest students at Ewarton Primary School. However, by grade three, she had begun to show signs of improvement.
Beckford's performance in the Common Entrance Examination earned her a place at St Catherine High School, resulting in her relocation to Spanish Town to live with her father, whom she met at age nine. But, that was short-lived, and she returned to Ewarton while in grade seven to live with her mother. Again, her academic performance plummeted.
"If you look at my grade-eight report, there were a number of Es. It was horrible! By then I went back to Spanish Town to live with my sisters and their mother. I was totally unhappy. At school, we didn't have a math teacher for a period. We didn't have a language or literature teacher. It was really unstable," she recounted.
The turning point came in 1990 when the resilient visionary nicknamed 'Teachers' Pet' went back to live with her mother, this time in White House, near Ewarton.
"I became a Christian and my outlook on life changed, and I left grade nine with a number of As. I was top of my class from there. I went on to do CXC and I got seven subjects."
Inspiration to teach
Notably, her entry into the teaching profession at McGrath High School, at age 19, upon graduating from Shortwood Teachers' College was by no accident. She was inspired by her mother, who never got the opportunity to fulfil her dream of becoming an educator, her teachers and her stepfather's inconsistent income.
Beckford continued to ascend the educational ladder at the University of the West Indies and obtained a degree in linguistics in 2002. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in language education at the same institution.
In addition to serving as head of the Language Department, Beckford, who teaches English language, literature and communication studies, also coordinates the debating and Schools' Challenge Quiz programmes as well as the school's data collection.
In 2009, she copped the institution's Teacher of the Year title and recently added the prestigious LASCO Ministry of Education 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year title.
"I am humbled by it. I didn't expect it," she smiled.
"It's really amazing how much one teacher can excite your brain cells in such a way that understanding everything beyond one concept comes so naturally. You are an inspiration to me too, Miss, and I cried on hearing of your accomplishment," read part of a text message sent to Beckford by Pencia Honeyghan, head girl, upon hearing that she copped the award.
Sharing in achievement
Best friend and co-worker, Lesleen Wallace, also shared her achievement.
"I felt as though it was I who got the Teacher of the Year award and I'm happy for Ms Beckford and to see how God has opened up this blessing for her," Wallace told The Gleaner.
Likewise, Dr Cynthia Anderson, principal, McGrath High School, lauded the remarkable educator for commitment to duty.
"Ms Beckford is one of my outstanding teachers who has been very dedicated and committed to the cause of the children. She has been going the extra mile to ensure that the children learn," said Dr Anderson.
Beckford, not yet a mother, is guided by the philosophy - all things work together for good for them that love the Lord.
"There is something about it that makes people respond, oh it seems so passive, it seems like you are resigning yourself to whatever comes, yes in a way, but at the same time, it's availing yourself to God, that whatever He has for you, you are ready to work with it. At the same time, I feel that I have a contribution to make to the lives of young people and the school creates this place where I have the opportunity to do that," said the soft-spoken educator, who worships at the Church of God of Prophecy in Ewarton.