Mark Nicely - Elgin Taylor

According to management scientists Bennis and Nanus, a leader does the right thing and a manager does things right.

This aptly describes Mark Nicely, principal of Hayes Primary and Junior High School in Clarendon. Since taking up the reigns of that educational institution in September 2004, he has demonstrated his capacity to both lead and manage. In a recent interview with The Star, the thirty-five-year-old educator chronicled his achievements at the institution.

"When I got here, ROSE II was about to commence. As a requirement, we were asked to write a School Improvement Plan which resulted in our being awarded a grant of ten million dollars from the World Bank. With this funding we were able to revolutionise the system, with the main thrust being resource and technology", he revealed.

effectiveness

He also noted that the computer lab, offices, canteen and the home and family department were vastly improved. Literacy and numeracy consultants were also brought in to see the effectiveness of the programme. This translated into improved performance in exams, especially the Grade Four Literacy Test which recorded a 73 per cent mastery. The Ministry of Education also came on board with the construction of three additional classrooms.

Corporate Jamaica was not to be outdone as, under the principal's leadership, Digicel Foundation made available three million dollars which facilitated the construction of a woodwork department and a modern Guidance and Counselling building. The Parent-Teachers' and Past- Students' associations realised their fund-raising prowess with the construction of a fully equipped Cosmetology unit. Assistance also came from USAID, Jamalco and Shaggory Aggregate. All told, the school's offering of electrical, woodwork, metalwork, visual arts, computer technology, agriculture, business basics, cosmetology and food and nutrition courses makes it the most equipped primary and junior high school in the island.

The Mico University College and Mount St Vincent University graduate also informed that a reading lab currently under construction, would be operational by April of this year.

Nicely, who is currently pursuing a doctorate in theology, also lectures part-time at The Mico University College and the International University of the Caribbean. He was one of the candidates in last year's race for president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA).

success

In reference to the secret of his success, the finalist in the 2010 Lasco/ MOE Principal of the Year Competition had this to say: "At Hayes we have developed a really good ability to get people to buy into our plans. We also have a very supportive staff, Parent-Teachers' and Past-Students' associations, and a school board headed by Mr Benjamin Beale."

A Christian of the Baptist denomination, he is married to Nathalee and they have a daughter, Abbigel. He remarked that God is his primary source, and that he believes that mankind was "born to be saved".