U.S.-based Guyanese educator shares inspiring life experiences

U.S.-based Guyanese educator, poet, author and public speaker Cheryl Ainsworth-Martin, firmly believes that education is priority, and with hard work comes success. These beliefs come from personal experience, and are documented in her recently published books.
Cheryl grew up in Victoria Village on the East Coast of Demerara. In a 2011 interview she said her parents, both principals, instilled in their nine children the significance of an education, and the satisfaction it would bring in sharing it. As such, they all became teachers. She began her training at Cyril Potter College but migrated because she was unhappy with the economic situation at that time. She chose the United States because she wanted to continue her teaching career in a country she said that was more stable.
The inspiring teacher has been with the New York public school system for more than 25 years and now prepares for retirement. She reflects on her years with a sense of deep fulfilment that she was instrumental in educating hundreds of children.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the author stated, “I have predicated my life on the main idea of love. I believe in the power of love. I think of myself as a poet and like to read my poems to different audiences. To me, being on stage and delivering poems, songs or speeches, gives me many opportunities to educate others in the world at large. I get great pleasure from entertaining others. I always seize every chance that comes my way to delight others with my interesting rhymes, concepts and ideas. I always receive thunderous applause and I’m always amazed and excited whenever it happens. I believe I am a master poet. I know my work will stand the test of time. It creates joy in the hearts and minds of our fellow men.”
The poet said her poetry and music have also motivated and helped students in the Brooklyn and Queens school districts, with their cultural identity. Cheryl is very passionate about sharing her knowledge as an educator, and the stirring life of growing up in a family of educators. To this end, she has penned a heart-warming story of her life titled, “Family Stories – A Patchwork of Me”.
“This book is about a family that came from Guyana and worked hard to become successful in the U.S.A. This family is my family. We are a teaching family. Education is my number one priority. Everyone has to try hard and try to be successful. Success is not an accident. Rather it is a journey that is travelled, and all can be happy as they work towards their own goals and dreams. This is a patchwork of me. I have shared my family pictures with the world because they help to explain the complexities of my journey. My parents were both principals, and they instilled in each of us the values of good education and hard work in order to achieve success. My paternal grandparents were teachers also,” the teacher revealed in its overview.
The writer also disclosed that her other book, “A Patchwork of Poetry”, are poems from the heart. “This book is a set of poems describing my feelings as I attempt to regain my sense of self after a life of stress and pain in the diaspora. I believe that poetry is also a shortcut to literacy. My poetry is also an outcry for understanding. These poems are written in a free style. I like to read my poems to different audiences,” she outlined.
Cheryl attended St Joseph’s College in New York and Brooklyn College, City University of New York. She likes to sing gospel and folk songs and sometimes perform folk dancing on stage. The novelist holds a Masters in Science, and later on hopes to pursue a doctorate.
“I love to travel and explore different cultures. I hope to travel around the world to spread the importance of peace. I know that peace is good for everyone and that we should always try to be peaceful,” she said outlining her future plans.
For more information on Cheryl’s book email her at cheryworth@aol.com