Teachers urged to use degrees as gift

Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

Forty-five Jamaican educators who recently earned bachelor's degrees at the Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) have been urged to use their newly acquired knowledge in community building.

Michael Pernal, executive vice-president of the university, described the degree earned by the teachers as "a gift that can be turned around and used as another gift".

"Give it to your community and your countrymen, and your education will have value not only for you, but whomever you touch in the future as well," said Pernal.

The professionals, who all read for degrees in sociology, graduated earlier this month.

Veronica Samuels-Rhoden, one of the graduates, said pursuing higher education opened a new chapter in her life which will bring forth new challenges.

"It is an opportunity to access new accomplishments and to achieve them as inventors of the future in both our personal and professional lives," Samuels-Rhoden said.

The Ministry of Education has been urging teachers to equip themselves with at least a first degree.

Charlene Russell-Tucker, associate commissioner of the Connecticut State Department of Education, urged the graduates to remain focused in their future endeavours.

"As educators who have completed another phase, you have been called into service as agents of change," Russell-Tucker said.

She reminded the graduating class that "success isn't determined by your position or pay scale, but by what you do best. Maximise the value of your education and engage it with your passion. You can make a difference".

Summer programme

The ECSU programme required the students to participate in a five-week summer programme on Eastern's Willimantic campus, taking three courses for nine credits.

"Participants are given an excellent opportunity to advance their education and career goals. In addition, the programme makes it possible for them to excel in the classroom, community and in their own personal development," said Shelly Gimenez, dean of the School of Continuing Education.

The programme, which was offered through Eastern's School of Continuing Education in collaboration with the Hanover Education Foundation in Jamaica, was specially designed for Jamaican educators to complete courses in their home country, as well as on the Eastern's campus in Willimantic.

The goal of the programme was to provide a bachelor's degree completion option to teachers who have graduated from a teachers' college in Jamaica with a diploma, which is equivalent to a two-year associate degree in the United States.

Graduates of the Eastern Connecticut State University, where 45 Jamaican educators just earned their bachelor's degree. - Contributed Photo