Shaping the world

IDEEM it a great pleasure to wish you all, my colleagues, a very Happy Teachers’ Day. Today marks a significant moment in Education Week. It represents a time for parents, students, and indeed the nation, to pause and salute the hard work and dedication of Jamaica’s most resilient nation builders – our teachers. Our work and worth cannot be overemphasised, thus we deserve all the accolades and recognition possible.

It is our task to shape minds, inspire hope, transform communities and create productive citizens, who are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitude to contribute to the local and globalised community in which we live. These are tasks we have been committed to as we live a life of service to others.

As we celebrate and reflect, we should be mindful that our Supreme Teacher has called

us to be co-workers with him. Consequently, we must be conscious that we are part of a profession that is the mother of all professions. As such, we must seek to safeguard this noble vocation by being the consummate professionals in all our endeavours. Let us recommit ourselves today to the theme for the conference year: ‘Promoting the Teaching Profession: A Beacon of Hope and Inspiration to the Nation’.

As we think of the many challenges that confront us as teachers, let us seek wisdom and vision as we influence minds and conscience for the future. Finally, continue to teach in love as we shape the world.

Once again, Happy Teachers’ Day my colleagues and may we continue to unite and serve.