By Utama Bell
“It’s because I love what I do, I stay here”. Those were the words of 66-year-old Linden veteran Teacher and Educator Marcia Craig, whom I sat down with recently for an interview on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day. ‘Miss Craig’, as she has been passionately called throughout the years by both students and residents alike in the community has been in the teaching profession for 51 years, having started this prestigious lifelong calling in the year 1968. I was amused when she told me this. “That’s longer than I have been alive”, I mused. She looked at me and smiled, as she took me along this 5 decade long celebratory journey. A firm disciplinarian, Miss Craig has been known over the years to “perform miracles” as it relates to reforming and enhancing students’ learning and moral capabilities. Though she’s retired as Senior Headmistress on medical grounds, it seems as though she’s far from quitting anytime soon, as her passion and love for teaching keeps drawing her back. Miss Craig has dedicated most of her life to the profession, having thought at several schools in Linden including the Christianburg and One Mile Primary schools as well as the New Silvercity and Linden Foundation Secondary schools, amongst others outside of the community. She later founded her own private educational institution, MC’s Educational Institute which is situated at Retrieve, Mackenzie, Linden. There, she teaches English Language to Grades 10 and 11, preparing them for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Miss Craig is not only loved for her stern teaching personality but her strict stance on upholding moral values. She believes that education is the key which unlocks a world of possibilities and has dedicated her life to ensuring that young people understand this.
“Some students told me once that education wasn’t necessary, and I tried to show them how necessary education was then and I know now that they know that education is necessary because all those that thought it wasn’t necessary because they all have went on to be good products in society… I let them know that education is vital…Get an education so you can fit into society…education is key, education is necessary, education tells you how to make decisions, education teaches…”Miss Craig emphasised.
She went on to state that over the years she has learned that education allows one to realize, understand and work on their mistakes as well as change and improve negative situations. As such, Miss Craig posited that it is important for parents to instill in their children the importance of having an education. Being what many refer to as a ‘strict disciplinarian’, Miss Craig also plays the role as motivator to her students as she shared her belief that moral standards are on the decline.
“Society is on the decline, morals in the society are on the decline because most parents don’t have the time”, she noted.
In this regard she said if parents dedicated more of their time to ensure that their children are educated and disciplined there would be a better society. In her experience, she said many youths are not motivated by challenges, which is an area she works to ensure she sees change.
“Some young people, as soon as a challenge presents itself, they run”, Miss Craig highlighted. She noted that her perseverance with students over the years has led to many of them who did not have the confidence seeing their lives changed for the better.
“This school environment, this academic situation that we’re in, some people don’t have the time to work with the students but sitting with them, listening to them motivates me. So I would just keep working”, she said.
She related that she had intended on parting ways with the teaching aspect of the profession to focus only on administration, but admitted that she is motivated to keep going owing to her passion for more improved academic results at her school.
“It’s because I love what I do, I stay here…and if I was to live my life over again I would want to be a teacher. You know when I get most of my gratification? When I’m in class and everyone is tuned in to me, everyone is paying attention and I look into their eyes and I see that they understand. I feel like I’m in heaven”, she said.
Given her years of experience she said she can tell whether a student understands what is being taught based on the look in their eyes.
“I can look into their eyes and I see it…I would say, ‘yes I know that you don’t understand. Tell me what you don’t understand…Alright, good, let’s go it over’. I probably have many great moments, but that particular moment when I’m in class and I can get all of them with me and I can see it in their eyes. Some may not grasp everything, but you know that they would leave with something…I live for that moment every time I enter into a class and if I’m working and they’re not getting it I am worried”, related Miss Craig as she went on to share many experiences she’s had with students over the years. She not only teaches teenagers but adults as well. Though she admits that she bonds more with teenagers.
“I like working with teenagers. I like talking to them. I like showing them what life has to offer and I like to encourage them and show them that it is important to be educated”, she explained.
As Miss Craig noted, teaching has become a part of her life and she would not trade the profession for the world. Having raised her children along the educational pathway, she takes pride in knowing that they have all achieved successful careers. She noted that the feedback she receives from former students who have went on to pursue their careers is what gives her gratification.
“For the 50 odd years that I have been a teacher, I have enjoyed it and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. As long as God provides the health and strength I will go on…I just love it and the odds, I’m not saying that sometimes it doesn’t get to me…but as long as God spares my life. I am going to work with whoever needs the help”, she posited.
As for her disciplined side, she said she will continue to work to instill good morals and values into her students.
“I would maintain discipline because that is how I grew up. I was raised that way so there is nothing else I can do. My methods are sometimes unorthodox…but I have respect for everyone. All of the children here I respect and I tell them that they are expected to treat every teacher with respect…teaching is good as well as maintaining discipline”, she outlined.
Miss Craig noted too that she pays attention to what is happening within the environment so that she can relate to her students.
“Every morning, I talk to my students about what I heard on the radio, about what I read in the news. I talk to them if there are unsavory events or activities, I would show them how they don’t need to participate in those things”, she said.
Additionally, Miss Craig noted that proper use of grammar is also encouraged as was experienced first hand during our interview as the students would be corrected on their pronunciation as they politely interrupted our conversation every now and then to relay information.
“If I hear poor Grammar, I would tell them that ‘you don’t need to have that in your life’, therefore you have to grasp when we teach. I always try to show them that for everything they have consequences, every activity, every action has a reaction…”she noted.
Though she plans on leaving the teaching arena, Miss Craig said she is currently working towards a 100 percent pass rate at CSEC as her Institute has has already achieved a 98 percent pass rate. It is achievements such as these that tend to keep her going.
“I love what I do. I could have remained at home but I feel like there are persons who need what I have to share. And it wouldn’t be right for me to just sit at home and keep all the knowledge”, she quipped.
