#BTColumn – Every teacher leaves a legacy

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

Do you remember your teachers? How is THEIR LEGACY remembered? Every teacher leaves an impression on their students – good, indifferent or bad.

I loved the teachers whose lives intersected mine, almost without exception. I entered Queen’s College in 1972, and the memories of my school days are still vivid. The relationships I enjoyed with my teachers were profound, profound, and classrooms at my school are named after them. I want my students to enquire, as they do, who is ‘Flora Jordan’ or ‘QC’?

I have a moment of incredible pleasure as I explain that ‘QC’ is an homage to two teachers who taught me English at ‘A Level’: Gloria Quintyne and Gloria Cummins. The former could read perfectly in Olde English, which astounded us all; the latter never gave me an essay grade higher than B- – (+) – (++). Up to today, I am still trying to figure these out! She threatened all 13 of us that we would fail the ‘A Level’; seven of us gained Grade A*, me included (shock).

I learned the power of old-fashioned reverse Psychology, as the recipient of it. I also know this is ineffective on students today; even less so on their parents, who consider it emotionally traumatising.

When I was at University, one of my electives was Archeology. As I spent summers in Barbados, where no ‘digs’ were happening, I had to write long essays instead. Miss Cummins showed me how to write at University level – because of her, I teach English from 11+ to CXC. Life Lesson learned: students are yours FOR LIFE!

In my office I have a photo of the QC Staff of 1979 across from my desk; they are my daily inspiration. I see the faces of formidable teachers; whose legacy I try to emulate. Any QC student can tell you, ‘Who poured the water?’. The Geography Room is named ‘Flora Jordan’.

What I remember best about Miss Jordan is her small, white Fiat which would daily enter the QC gate at a speed, flash through the school and screech to a halt in front of the gym. She never hit the wall, to my amazement. She was a tall woman, who extricated herself from the vehicle like a spider, limb by limb, in those wonderful four-inch platform shoes of the 1970s, with bracelets jingling from wrist to elbow. Flora Jordan had style and personality galore; Life Lesson learned – everyone has quirks; celebrate them!

Miss Hunte joined QC as another Geography teacher; she was always happy. Life Lesson: always smile, especially when the going gets tough. Say what you must with honesty and a smile; no student likes the truth, but it’s how you deliver it that counts.

Miss Hackett, gifted in Latin, Maths and Drama, was indomitable. She directed our school plays and forced me to audition for the Taming of the Shrew. I was disconsolate at being awarded the role of Petruchio, not wanting to surrender my time, as teenagers do. No one could say ‘No’ to Miss Hackett. If she wanted you to perform because she ‘saw something in you’, you conceded. She expected 100 per cent effort and commitment. Life Lesson learned: help students to take risks, especially when these are uncomfortable.

Another Miss Cummings joined QC as a Maths teacher. I am so grateful for her tolerance. I was dreadful at Maths, but she got me through; Grade C was an ‘A’ for me. Were it not for her perseverance, I would never have been accepted to University at all. Life Lesson? Never give up on a student.

The three highly intelligent Pilgrim sisters were in a league of their own: Marjorie Fields, Sheila Pilgrim and QC’s Principal, Dr Elsie Payne; they have rooms too.

Mrs Fields (aka Ma Flops for some reason unknown to me) taught me Bookkeeping. My mother insisted that as I was heading to Art School, I would always be poor; therefore, I needed to know how to manage the pittance I earned in life. I passed with Distinction and I have used this in every job I have had in 50 years. Life Lesson learned: sometimes students must do what they ‘need’, not only what they ‘want’.

Miss Pilgrim taught French with the most atrocious accent imaginable. I did not realise how good she really was, until one summer sailing the Grenadines, the only magazines available were in French and I read every one with pure pleasure. That astounded me. Life Lesson learned: students will connect and engage even when the teaching is flawed.

And finally, Dr Payne, who was a LEADER WORTH FOLLOWING. Her unlimited knowledge of, and compassion for, EVERY STUDENT, has taught me to know each student well and to love them, even when they do not love themselves.

That is the ultimate Life Lesson: to have a leader who believes in you and the person you will become.

Some students come to school to learn; others come to be loved. Those whose behaviours are the most unlovable need love the most. Liking your students helps them to learn and never doubt that LOVE creates LEGACY, like nothing else will.

Julia Hanschell can be contacted on smartstudying@gmail.com.