We are who we are because of our teachers
THE PASSAGE of Hurricane Matthew led to the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) making changes to the celebration of World Teachers’ Day, normally celebrated on October 5 of each year. However, JTC is taking the opportunity to celebrate teachers during the month of October.
We are indeed thankful that Jamaica was spared. Today, we take the opportunity to express our depth of gratitude to our teachers for another year of commitment to the education of our children. We salute our dedicated and hardworking teachers!
The year 2016 marks a watershed year for the teaching profession as it is reshaping and repositioning itself to meet the changing demands of the 21st century. The profession is challenged to focus on its fundamental purpose of teaching and learning as the nation grapples with other factors that impinge on school life. Teachers’ engagement with the initial trialling of the teacher appraisal instruments ensure that the instruments Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year with LASCO CEO Lascelles Chin (left). would be meaningful in towards a more objective, teaching among all professionals. their various contexts. evidenced-based appraisal More avenues
JTC congratulates teachers for principals and teachers, for In-Service Professional and encourages them to taking into full consideration Development are being keep moving forward to the local environment approved by JTC permitting professional autonomy in which these professionals teachers to proactively through clinical teaching work. As we move towards accumulate professional practices that engender greater collective accountability, credits. learning. Positive developments teacher appraisal cannot On 28 October, 2016, for the profession be punitive but rather starting at 8:30 a.m., are taking place. Foremost supportive with the intention Jamaica will witness its first among them is the move to promote good quality symposium on the teaching Dr Winsome Gordon profession. Areas to be covered will include recommendations for the revision of the appraisal instruments, a meaningful career path and a review of some of the ILO/UNESCO recommendations for the teaching profession in the Jamaican context. Jamaica Teaching Council is unwavering in its commitment and support to the teaching profession. We are mindful of the anxiety of many stakeholders around the delay in the JTC legislation, but progress is being made.
A guiding path for new teachers
Induction into the teaching profession starts in the training institutions. Each year, JTC organises to hold induction programmes at all public teacher-training institutions and departments. New teachers are to be mentored for at least one year in their posts and should be exposed to quality professional support, and formative and summative appraisals.
No profession without masters
Nineteen Master Teachers are still in the system, and 11 are being assessed to be recognised as masters of the art and science of teaching. The new appraisal instruments will widen opportunities to identify Master Teachers in all the Quality Education Circles (QECs) and across curriculum subjects. We call upon our Master Teachers from time to time to share with other professionals and to be part of the trainers of trainers group.
Recognising and awarding excellence in teaching and leadership
JTC continues to identify and award excellence in the teaching profession. This year, nearly 200 teachers received awards presented
their QECs. We are indeed grateful to our sponsors, foremost among them are the Embassy of China and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA). The LASCO Group of Companies continues to award the Teacher and Principal of the Year and to partner in the assessment and selection process.
A profession needs an anchor
Our Corporate Services Unit of the Jamaica Teaching Council renders diverse services enabling the Programme Units to carry out critical business functions geared towards the enhancement and maintenance of professional standards in teaching and the professional status of teachers.
Its role encompasses finance administration, asset management, logistics, communications, procurement, human The green classroom Excellent Teacher awardees in St Mary. resources and facilities standards to which we hold management. We seek to the teaching profession. As ensure the best possible a service driven agency, we use of synergies and promote a quality customer resources across the council, service ethos underpinned efficient and effective by a culture of operational support and excellence, love, service work to the same high and integrity. Teachers’ Innovative responses to learning needs
Teachers experimented with teaching boys selected curriculum subjects
through a farming experience. Boys, with, some girls participating, planted peppers and undertook meaningful learning in mathematics, science and English language. They were also able to sell many pounds of peppers to the community. The Boys’ Forum motivating boys, stimulating teaching and learning
The Boys’ Forum, organised by JTC, was held on April 26, 2016 at Wolmer’s Boys’ School. The forum allowed boys to interact with business persons and high-level educators, discussing opportunities opened to them in pursuit of their livelihood decisions. I am a teacher - ensuring membership in my profession Teachers in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshop.