Concheta Wilson - Elgin Taylor photo

There are challenges teachers have to contend with the teaching/learning environment.

For Concheta Wilson, a grade- three teacher at St John's Primary School in Spanish Town, St Catherine, it is the lack of basic skills needed to function effectively at the grade level.

"I have to go back to basics, teaching phonetic skills and operations such as addition and subtraction. I am also placing emphasis on the learning of time tables and problem solving," she told The Star.

In general, her students perform better at mathematics than reading. She also stated that a number of them do not read fluently and this negatively affects their ability to retain what is taught.

Wilson spoke of a supportive staff in which those who have knowledge gained from workshops share readily with colleagues.

She, however, bemoaned the lack of support from parents, added this as one of the reasons for the students' poor performance.

She taught pre-trained at basic schools before landing the job at St John's, September 1, 2001.

She is also involved with the Brownies' club and sports.

She was trained at Mico Teachers' College and International University of the Caribbean. She obtained a diploma in primary education and bachelor's degree in guidance and counselling, respectively, from these institutions.