Jamaican mathematics teacher cruises to success overseas
Published:Sunday | July 9, 2023 | 12:11 AMKrysta Anderson - Staff Reporter
The true mark of any great mentor is the ability to motivate, educate and change lives. Standing proudly as the beacon of hope for his alma mater Jamaica College (JC), Rohan Cruise’s return to the classroom as a teacher at the school inspired him to take a leap of faith and illuminate the paths of young scholars overseas.
“It was hard to leave the institution that I hold so near and dear to my heart and the country I call home,” he confessed to The Sunday Gleaner. But the bright side of this adventure meant he wasn’t starting over. Seeing his own potential beyond these green shores gave him the courage to seize an opportunity to continue his chapter in education.
Growing up, he always saw himself cruising to success. And with a surname like his, carrying on this mantle was a no-brainer. During his years as a student, he not only excelled academically, but he was a star on the court playing basketball as well.
By the time he enrolled in The University for the West Indies, Cruise grappled with the realities of college life. Faced with the choices of a major, he solved that problem by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Once he was armed with a degree, the good soldier returned to the genesis of his studies, volunteering his expertise by assisting the coach at JC with the school’s basketball team.
The principal, however, saw his potential beyond sports and invited him to take his mentoring a step further. It wasn’t long before Cruise grew to become a staple in the Mathematics Department.
“Returning to Jamaica College was more than a job; it was a calling to support my fellow up-and-coming JC youths,” he said, adding, “One of my ultimate goals was to get more young men from the school meeting the criteria to get to university so that they can have a better chance at a better quality of life.”
A firm believer in the importance of continuing education, he added a teaching diploma and a master’s degree in medical physics to his qualification portfolio.
Dynamic, witty, engaging, encouraging and exciting in his approach, he brought a level of simplicity to the complex nature of math for six years at JC. Although he enjoyed living his purpose, there were other considerations.
“It was difficult to make ends meet without burning out with extra classes,” he said. Stretched with one full-time and two part-time jobs, tutoring after school and working seven days a week, there was no time or space for personal development.
And moving up the ranks wasn’t an immediate option. “I wasn’t going to work at a school that had anything less than what JC provided with rich tradition,” he declared.
He noticed that there was a development of medical physics in Jamaica. And, always one for growth and development, he wanted to get the most out of his degree. In order to do this, he needed to explore his options.
He found himself at a crossroads and decided to make one of the hardest decisions in life and seek employment elsewhere.
Taking a leap of faith, he applied for a job with a UK-based company called HourGlass. From there, a team came to the island to recruit teachers for the then upcoming schoolyear of 2016.
Cruise was offered the job on the spot, with the plan that he would venture off to West London and carry on with his journey as a math teacher. But he was not alone.
His wife, Zanya, who had been his best friend for years before crossing over into the love zone, was right there by his side to support his dreams. So, together, the two packed their suitcases and jet-setted to the United Kingdom UK).
Making this transition was far from easy. Not only was he in a new country away from friends and family, he also had to re-establish himself, moving from a senior leader to a subject teacher. But, for him, this meant taking one step backward to go 10 steps forward.
“I knew it would take me 20 to 30 years to achieve the basic standard of living in the area I grew up in Kingston.”
In the UK, the salary he received for his job surpassed his combined earnings in Jamaica. And, best of all, once he completed the training required, he made a rapid progression up the ranks.
Living up to his mantra, he has cruised his way to success, being promoted from subject teacher to coordinator and head of department. These days, he graces the school halls of Putteridge High School as the Year 11 mathematics teacher, as well as the assistant head teacher.
“In the span of seven years, I have accomplished in the UK what would have taken probably 30 years to achieve in Jamaica,” he revealed.
Marching to the beat of his own drum and staying true to his roots, Cruise has even given them lessons on Jamaican culture.
Outside of the classroom, the family man is a dedicated father to his daughter. With more free time on his hands, he spends quality time travelling the world alongside his loving wife.
Of course, since there’s nowhere like home, whenever he gets the chance, he makes the trek to Jamaica to catch up with loved ones and bask in his culture.