Retired teachers group marks year with special gift to Old Harbour students

The event, held Wednesday at the Church of God of Prophecy, Bowers Drive, Old Harbour, was significant for two students currently attending the Old Harbour High School.

Belado Hooper and Yanique Dennis are this year’s recipients, but unfortunately were not present to receive their ‘present’ in person.

Yvonne Morgan, who began her teaching career in 1981, is the current president of the chapter since its formation in 2014.

She tells Old Harbour News that the organsation’s core mandate is to provide assistance to retired teachers, students and the elderly within its region.

In October of each year, the group staged a fundraiser, proceeds from which is used to execute its obligation.

“These two students are in need but they are not on PATH. But they were identified by the teachers at Old Harbour High and we have agreed to give them assistance towards their exams. The girl will be doing eight subjects and the boy I think will be doing six subjects,” said Morgan.

Though a vast majority of persons are likely to be hearing of this organization for the first time, Morgan noted that they have been very active since inception with 42 active members from a membership of 51.

The body, she added, has become a safe space for the retired educators who now spend much of their time planning outings to the beach, birthday parties, stage shows, and staying connected in their WhatsApp chat group.

Having spent almost four decades teaching at one institution, retirement and travelling overseas was something Verine Mills said she looking forward to. But her mind changed on the latter since the Covid19 pandemic, as she now spends most of her time tending to her flowers garden, lyming with her family, church members and retired teacher’s group.

“I feel really blessed,” said Mills who taught at Old Harbour Primary School from 1978 to 2017. “Teaching is not short term, teaching is a long term thing. You don’t get to see the results until many years and it’s not a one man thing, it’s a team effort because it is all of us who put together to get the children where they are. And it’s a pleasure when you see them on the street and when they come and tell you ‘hello’. Oh that’s wonderful.”

Leo Henry, who taught physical education at Old Harbour High (then Secondary) from 1975, says “the camaraderie” within the retired teachers association has been one the “best thing for me” as it keeps them connected.

The St Catherine Association of Retired Teachers North West Chapter falls under the National Association of Retired Teachers, which is a major stakeholder group of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA).