Helping the youth
Published:Saturday | November 2, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Gareth Davis Sr., Gleaner Writer
Portland:
Twenty-five-year-old teacher Rafike Miller is passionate about guiding youth in the right direction and helping to build their self-confidence so that they can have a positive impact on society.
Miller, who now teaches at his alma mater, Portland High School, in Portland, is better known for his ability to interact with young persons and to influence them to do positive things even when the odds are not in their favour.
"I believe I'm gifted and God-sent," commented Miller.
He added: "There seems to be a genuine connection between me and the youth, which has allowed them to confide in me. As a young person, you can be bombarded by failures and rejection, which is not a signal to quit. My remedy for that is to simply try harder and to believe in oneself. To do that, your confidence level has to be intact, and what I normally do is to hold interactive sessions at my school where students are given an opportunity to relate their plight and other challenges. Once I am able to get them to open up, then we can work on that situation."
Making the switch
Miller, who teaches the business subjects - principles of accounts, principles of business, and office administration - is a graduate of Northern Caribbean University. He worked at CB Foods in the marketing department for a little over a year before returning to his alma mater.
After making the switch from Titchfield High in 2004 to Portland High School, Miller claimed that was the period during which he developed an appreciation for life and academics. He pointed out that the years spent at Portland High have helped to transform him into becoming a more positive person.
"I am really a motivator. My return to my alma mater is my own way of giving back to that school and its student population. Children are our future, and the youth of today are in need of whatever assistance that can be afforded to them. Yes, I am a youth also, but with my natural talent to socialise and to get those that are troubled or bothered by varying issues to open up and relate their plight, I am forever committed to supporting them in their quest for success," he said.