Elgin Taylor, Star Writer

The continued success of the teaching profession, like any other, is dependent on the ability to attract quality recruits who will step up to the plate and run with the baton. The Star had the pleasure recently to interview an individual who seemed to possess such attributes. She is Stacey-Ann Walker, a grade-two teacher at Angels Primary School in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

"I kind of just fell into the profession because I had no thought of becoming a teacher. In fact, when I graduated from McGrath High School in 2000, I applied to CASE to study agriculture," she said with a broad smile.

She explained that her applicaton to CASE (College of Agriculture, Science and Education) was put on hold because of a space problem in the faculty, and that, shortly after, she lost interest.

In the meantime, she sought employment and worked as the receptionist at a veterinary clinic and managed a small hardware store.

Towards the end of this three-year period, she successfully made an application to Moneague College in St Ann. She graduated from that institution in 2006 with a diploma in primary education. She joined the staff of her current school on September 1, 2006.

Now, she said, she is happy to have made this choice and stated that it is a rewarding experience inspite of the challenges.

Poor behaviour

The main challenge she mentioned is the poor behaviour of some of the students which she believed is a result in part of the realisation that corporal punishment is not allowed. She sad she is coping and that she has adopted a firm approach to classroom interactions.

"If the teachers are not firm and strong, the students will walk over them. When it comes to getting the work done, I do not have a problem," she stated.

Walker pointed out that, though she is a stickler for discipline, that does not mean that she has less love for her students. In fact, she said everything done by her in the teaching/learning environment is tempered with love. She said the students understand and appreciate this, and the end result is one of mutual respect. She also stressed that caring for others is a natural thing for her and that this is extended to the wider school population.

The young educator is very much involved in the corporate life of the school. She works closely with the physical education department and serves as house coordinator and trainer of the netball team. She is also involved in the training of students for track athletics. In addition to this work-load, she is pursing a bachelor's degree in primary education at the International University of the Caribbean.

"I am committed to my job, and I will go the extra mile for my students," Walker quipped in relation to her chosen profession.