Margaret Bailey – striving to impart high-quality education
MARGARET BAILEY is the principal of the Rollington Town Primary School, Kingston, who says that her life revolves around the principle of “give back and serve”.
“If I can help somebody along life’s journey,” she said, “then my life would not have been in vain. I believe that every child who comes to this school has greatness in him or her and has the ability to maximise his or her potential.”
According to Bailey, she decided to be a teacher to influence lives in a positive way. She reminds herself every day that she has to learn something new and share it with others.
“Knowledge kept to oneself is useless,” she said.
Bailey, who is from St Ann, has been the principal of the Rollington Town Primary School since 1999. She taught at the Cavaliers All-Age School from 1988 to 1995 and also was the vice-principal of Rollington Town Primary for four years.
Bailey says that she would like to take the institution back to its glory days.
She says that she tries to reach out in many ways to the community she serves. She attends church services, citizen association meetings, and funerals.
Bailey said that she has faith in her teachers and is working to instil discipline among the students.
FURTHER IMPROVEMENT
She has, over the years, implemented numerous programmes aimed at improving numeracy and literacy and the use of technology. Some of these initiatives include: A computer room A recycling project A community partnership programme
Guidance and counselling department.
A mentorship programme for teachers
A special breakfast programme Increased safety measures Parent workshops, literacy classes, computer classes, and an outstanding parent award.
Her future plans include increasing the capacity of the school by building four additional classrooms, restoring an old building as a community auditorium and exam room, and further improvement of numeracy.
According to Pauline Harris, vice-principal of the school, Bailey is a transformational leader as she motivates her staff.
“She is a good, intelligent leader who is always punctual,” says Petal Willesy, a security guard at the school.
Calcia Campbell, a parent, says that Bailey looks out for the interests of the children.
Bailey is a graduate of the St Joseph’s Teachers College; she has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in educational psychology from The University of the West Indies and a PhD in Educational Psychology. She also attended the University of Alberta, Canada. She is the recipient of the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Services in Education, the Lasco Principal of the year award2013, and the St Joseph’s Teachers College Alumni Association most outstanding award.
Bailey says that she will always strive to impart highquality education.