Cherry on top
Educators hail Principal, Teacher of the Year awards as validation of commitment to excellence
Published:Wednesday | December 6, 2023 | 12:13 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Franklin Burrell had no plans to become a teacher.
After graduating from the University of Technology, Jamaica with a degree in chemistry, he went straight into the chemical technology industry.
But while in the field, he was asked by his manager to assist at her daughter’s school as they were in need of a mathematics teacher. Always willing to help, he eagerly took up the challenge.
It has been 25 years, and he has not looked back since.
On Tuesday, Burrell, who is the department head and master teacher of chemistry at the St Andrew High School for Girls, was named the LASCO/Ministry of Education and Youth/Jamaica Teaching Council Teacher of the Year.
“I am elated. I am in shock. Even though I knew, being in the top three, that I had a chance, I’m still in shock that I won,” he said excitedly.
Basking in the moment, Burrell disclosed that it was made even more meaningful when he became aware of the impact he has had on his students.
“It means a lot. I’ve been in education for quite some time, and just doing the work with the students and even when I saw the comments on Instagram and Facebook, how the students and the parents appreciate the work that I am doing,” he said.
The May Pen, Clarendon native told The Gleaner that he strives for excellence in his job by also investing his own learning.
He has pursued additional teaching qualifications at The University of the West Indies, The Mico University College, and the Vocational Training Development Institute.
He has also completed the principal training course at the National College for Educational Leadership, but said that he prefers being in the classroom.
“I don’t believe administration is my role. I like to be out there. I like to be up and down, moving all about the place,” he said.
With a teaching career underscored by dedication and excellence, Burrell also received numerous Teacher of the Year awards at St Andrew High School for Girls and accolades from the Ministry of Education and Youth, including Excellent Teacher and Teacher Hero Awards.
Burrell also coaches the school’s basketball team and other church and community league teams as well.
His wife, Kaven Burrell, was beaming as she expressed her pride in her husband’s latest achievement, describing it as well deserved.
“He is so passionate about the girls and he would do anything to ensure that they pass their exams. Any hour at night, he’s on the phone with them trying to make sure that they understand the questions that are coming,” she said.
TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM
An avid user of technology in the classroom, Burrell said his vision is to assist other teachers in reaping the benefits of this able tool.
“I am invested in technology and using technology to deliver lessons, so that’s what I want to focus on and helping others to be effective, using interactive classes using technology as a tool,” he said.
“I’m heavily into technology so I want to get the word across and show persons how they can make teaching easier for them, making learning fun for the students so that’s it’s more interactive, and [how] they can use the tool to make some abstract [concepts] more [relatable] … ,” he added.
Top honours were also bestowed upon Rayon Simpson of Belmont Academy, who was awarded Principal of the Year, and Ilene Cohall-Bailey, of The Manning’s School, was awarded Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Teacher of the Year.
Simpson dedicated the award to the hard-working and dynamic team he leads at the Westmoreland-based institution, whose commitment he said is integral to the school’s success.
“Every single year, the vast majority of our students would leave school with at least five subjects and we ensure that every single one of them, once they are in grade 11, sit a minimum of seven subjects. We are really serious about outcomes,” he said.
For TVET teacher Cohall-Bailey, who has been teaching at The Manning’s School for 31 years, the award is validation of her commitment, hard work and love for the profession.
“This award means that I have been consistent. I am for real,” she said.
Along with their trophies, each top awardee received a cash prize of $100,000 on a LASCO Gold Card, courtesy of LASCO Money, and a variety of gift baskets.
They will also receive all-expense-paid opportunities to attend the 2024 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference in Washington, DC, from March 22-25 next year.
The awards ceremony has been a tradition for over two decades. It is aimed at recognising the remarkable contributions of educators to the Jamaican education system and their exemplary impact on the school community.