Celebrating the transformative journey of ROCHINA ANDERSON IN EDUCATION
“My love for working with people was fostered by my high school counsellor, who gave me the autonomy, as a student leader, to assist her in facilitating guidance sessions and peer counselling activities. I really enjoyed the feeling of gratification that I got from helping to reconcile friendships, motivating persons to be the best version of themselves, and just the overall opportunity to inspire and impact lives positively. Hence, I proceeded to study guidance and counselling right after high school.”
SERVING AS not only the president of the Jamaica Association of Counsellors in Education, but also as a devoted guidance counsellor at the Garvey Maceo High School for almost a decade, Rochina Anderson has become an inspirational guiding force in the lives of her students.
Anderson’s journey into counselling was sparked by a profound sense of compassion and a desire to make a difference from an early age. As a youth immersed in church ministry, she experienced first-hand the transformative power of support and guidance, which laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to impacting lives.
“My love for working with people was fostered by my high school counsellor, who gave me the autonomy, as a student leader, to assist her in facilitating guidance sessions and peer counselling activities. I really enjoyed the feeling of gratification that I got from helping to reconcile friendships, motivating persons to be the best version of themselves, and just the overall opportunity to inspire and impact lives positively. Hence, I proceeded to study guidance and counselling right after high school,” said Anderson.
Fast-forward 10 years later, Anderson is still committed to helping others and has developed an unmatched passion for her role as a counsellor, despite the various challenges faced by our country’s educators.
In recent times, the issue of student discipline and behaviour has risen to the forefront of the list of challenges plaguing the education system.
The task of managing student discipline and addressing behavioural issues falls not only on the shoulders of classroom teachers, but also the guidance counsellors. And factors such as societal influences, family dynamics, and community pressures can impact student behaviour, requiring teachers and counsellors to employ effective classroom management strategies.
“The guidance counsellor does not act in schools as a disciplinarian,” said Anderson who emphasises that guidance counsellors are there to facilitate the growth and understanding of students.
“Interventions such as group counselling may be used where students are exposed to restorative justice practices, or dispute resolution techniques to help our children to understand that anger is a normal emotion, but that self-control is important to manage anger in situations where one may feel offended/violated. Another method that I have used to reduced frequent conflicts, especially among students, is to have them engaged in a club or an extracurricular activity.”
CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE
Whether through conflict resolution lessons or extracurricular activities, Anderson continues to encourage students to channel their energies positively, reducing conflicts and fostering a safer learning environment.
She also advocates for teachers and counsellors to indulge in selfcare practices, and emphasises the importance of setting boundaries and seeking professional support, when needed, in order for educators to maintain good mental health.
Anderson’s dedication has not gone unnoticed, as she recalls touching moments where students have expressed gratitude for her guidance and support.
“One Teachers’ Day, I recall receiving quite a few tokens from my students. They were all lovely. However, there was this letter that may have seem the least significant, but to me it meant the most and really warmed my heart.”
Anderson’s message to her fellow educators is one of resilience and courage. She reminds them that amid the challenges, they are the unsung heroes shaping the future of Jamaica. With unwavering determination and compassion, they continue to empower minds and transform lives, one student at a time.
“William Churchill said, ‘ Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.’ The Jamaican education system, each day, is becoming more challenging and oftentimes daunting. However, I encourage my colleagues to keep moving forward. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. The younger generation will always need positive role models to believe in them and to demonstrate good behaviour. The seeds sown each day will not be grown immediately, but will require continuous nurturing and watering to bring it to fruition. As educators, I want to remind us that
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles” (Chistopher Reeve). Each of us are heroes and we have that strength to persevere on the inside. Take courage, and pride yourselves in the great work that you have been contributing to nation-building. Cheers!”