Graduate tells of experience

Jean Thomas-Jeremy

In July 2009, I was selected to attend a one week workshop organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Lynchburg College in Virginia.

At the end of day two of the workshop I was convinced that I had to pursue studies in Special Education with that institution.  Since the course was being offered for credits which could go towards either a first degree or Master’s degree I enrolled and completed the requirements for obtaining these credits.

I was able to obtain a full scholarship from the government of Dominica in July of 2011 which made my studies at Lynchburg College possible.  I must say that I have had a very rewarding experience at the college and being able to complete the master’s program in one academic year has been very challenging but fruitful.

I graduated on May 12th 2012.

My experience working with struggling learners at the North East Comprehensive School has been the impetus in studying Special Education as my passion really is in literacy.  However, when I decided to pursue studies in Literacy Education, I was advised that Special Education is a much broader field and encompasses literacy.

I am thankful to those persons who advised me as well as the Dean of Graduate Studies at Lynchburg College who jokingly said, “Do Special Education, I teach that course”.

I have acquired much knowledge in terms of diagnosis of students with disabilities as well as strategies to teach these students to help them experience some level of academic success.  On my return home, I am looking forward to the opportunity to impact and influence change among the population of students with disabilities.

A big thank you to Lynchburg College who offers reduced tuition to Dominican students, the Government of Dominica, my family and friends who supported me throughout my course of study.

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74 Comments

  1. June 20, 2012

    congrates mommy i no you could do can’t wait for your arrival back home .mawwwwwwh :-D

  2. cruz
    May 24, 2012

    congrates miss Thomas i am really proud of you.

  3. itassigirl
    May 24, 2012

    Good for you Jean.Congrats.Good to know u have done this after our years at UWI.U inspire me.

  4. awa wi
    May 24, 2012

    congrats on your achievement. hope that u get appointed at the state college so that u can assist other teachers in earning qualifications in special ed as there is a serious need for these teachers at the high school level with the remedial children.

  5. on looker
    May 24, 2012

    Congratulations to you my dear .You worked hard and deserve to be congratulated by all. Thank God for taking you through and granting to you the success you desiered. You are a hard worker and will always do well wherever you go!!!
    To those who take on the critics ,it does not make sense to do so,because the focuss is being shifted on them rather than the person who has made the acheivement.Forget about their unnecessary comment and give the young lady her flowers!thanks.

  6. My ship has come in
    May 24, 2012

    Well done. Dominica needs people with such skills. If God be for you, who can be against you?

  7. Reflect Lucille!
    May 24, 2012

    To Lucille and the other critics
    1. Can you please point out the errors?
    2. The ultimate intent of communication is to ensure a clear understanding of a conveyed message from the sender to the receiver. I notice that you would have preferred if the Graduate utilized high flown words but of what profit would it have been to the audience if the graduate made use of jargons that the audience could not understand. Would communication have taken place? One of the principles of effective communication is to consider the audience that one intends to communicate with. An ‘intelligent’ person like you should consider the different levels of intelligence of individuals who access this site.
    3. If we begin to look for the positives in our lives, then it will become much easier for us to recognize the positives in our society.

  8. May 24, 2012

    Cograts to you loving.and all the best to you

  9. flipflop
    May 24, 2012

    u did well :mrgreen: :lol:

  10. preety girl
    May 24, 2012

    :) :-D :wink: :lol: 8) :-P :-o hooooray

  11. kento
    May 24, 2012

    :wink:

  12. brain box
    May 24, 2012

    c u did well..keep it up next level hip hip hip

  13. black beauty
    May 24, 2012

    my friend i am so proud of u

  14. ur tutor
    May 24, 2012

    congratulations are in order keep it up

  15. strength
    May 24, 2012

    you are insultive

  16. Shameless
    May 24, 2012

    Congrats to you fellow country woman. There will always be haters so just keep your head up high.

  17. En Ba La
    May 24, 2012

    :lol: children stop the bickering. Congratulate the lady. BLESS HER HEART -she is a Special Ed teacher. Sorry other teachers BUT THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO create the literate people out of otherwise “would be illiterates”.

  18. My tanty
    May 24, 2012

    Congrats Aunty Jean!!!!!!!!! I’m so proud of u!!!!!!! You inspire me to be the best that I can be.

  19. Original Eagle-Eye
    May 24, 2012

    Congratulations from one former educator to another continuing sister! Teaching is certainly not a job but a vocation and to take on special needs children I salute you!

    Bondieu as an aside:Fellow Dominicans one day just try saying a kind word to yourselves when you awake, smile and laugh at yourselves and see how easy it will be to do the same for others!

  20. oui
    May 24, 2012

    Congrats to u my friend. Just finished a five year course in Chemical engineering ..i didn’t realize i could publicize it??? y u didn’t tell me i could u did ur course for 1yr u could tell me that we child i thought u were my friend..ok so i will write to dno too then.

    • Sam Harris
      May 25, 2012

      Yes, if we publicized every Dominican abroad who has graduated–even with higher degrees than her–DNO would have few other articles.

  21. Anonymous
    May 24, 2012

    Congrates my friend

  22. DA4LYFE
    May 24, 2012

    Congrats Jean Thomas-Jeremy. Reading theses comments I am assuming everyone is some type of grammatical expert when it come’s to the Queen’s language..lol…BIG UP ALL MY D’CAN’S WHO GRADUATE FROM UNIVERSITY…

    DA4LYFE

  23. kathleen Thomas
    May 24, 2012

    congrats ,congrats ,congrats to my sis you have done great and will continue to do wonders in our country dominica, and yes we say again thanks to the gorvernment of dominica and all those who encourage her in one way or another we are truely greatful. and my dear lucille who ever you are go to hell you just jealouse you never had the opportunity to reach that far!!!! you just a hater get out of this page you dont belong there pfffff sot

  24. virgo
    May 24, 2012

    We all do mistakes but, there are just too many if you know her number, just give her a call and that would be fine.

  25. Calibishie
    May 24, 2012

    Amen my sister!

  26. Observer
    May 24, 2012

    Lucille,
    Your second comment in which you attempted to demonstrate proper grammar lacks punctuation and proper sentence structure in key areas.

    Please, “COME AGAIN”
    HATER!!!

  27. waypapa
    May 24, 2012

    Lucille you are majoring in Minors

  28. Realist
    May 24, 2012

    Congratulations Ms. Jeremy, Dominica is proud of you.

  29. Monica
    May 24, 2012

    Congrats Jean. Your success was definite because God’s grace is always more than enough for those who seek it. Keep on doing great. It is so true that what you focus on expands. Keep the focus positive. Very happy for your success. God bless you my dear.

  30. DA
    May 24, 2012

    Thanks for sharing. Congratulations!!! Looking forward to hearing about the fruits of your labour. Dominica definitely needs more people to specialize in this field to develop our educational system. So many students are dyslexic and go undiagnosed!

  31. Anonymous
    May 24, 2012

    CONGRATULATIONS!! Well done.

  32. smh
    May 24, 2012

    Full scholarship….lucky you…

  33. uh huh
    May 24, 2012

    congrats lady……..but just saying see in 2011 you were able to receive a FULL SCHOLARSHIP from the government but 2010 into 2011 my pal rep told me that i could not get a scholarship instead i could be basically bored $5000. I say bored because that is what they could give me and it had to be repaid in some way……….

    and he got my vote…….moi sot

    • Wow!
      May 24, 2012

      I think you mean “borrowed”

  34. morne rachette
    May 24, 2012

    congrats couz u did it with God all things are possible

  35. good
    May 24, 2012

    That’s good vibes her. Congrats me fellow citizen and further success.

  36. Dominican for sure
    May 24, 2012

    Congratulations my dear, am very Proud of you and your achievement. I must admit that you are the one who advised and encourage me that i should persue a first degree at UWI open campus, beacause of your achievement there as well. You are indeed a inspiration to many and i do hope teachers and students from the Northeast can seek to achieve more than you did, after all it would be to the best of the Country.

    Finally, as someone indicated, it was quit pleasing that you took the time out to say Thank you to those who contributed to your success, esp. the Government and the college. I also, noticed you’ve indicated that the Colledge gives reduced tuitions to Dominican students. Maybe thats something for me to consider.

  37. De Marine
    May 24, 2012

    very commendable indeed.the sky is the limit keep on striving for even higher heights.

  38. Lucille
    May 24, 2012

    Congratulations, but your essay reads as a 3 grader’s homework assignment. It is not a good reflection on someone who intends to teach,you could do better.

    • Dominican for sure
      May 24, 2012

      Lucille, Maybe you should recognise the essence of what she is saying rather, that being a hater at her achievements. Thats what is lacking in our country, we hate to recognise the achievement of others. Having said that, i humble respect your achivement on being a hater, or whatever you, the scholar would rather term yourself….

    • Dominican in Nyc
      May 24, 2012

      Lucille, you can’t be serious! Come on man! Just congratulate the lady and get off the damn page.Sometimes simplicity is best. Remember that the average news reader is on par with a 4th grade education. Why should she have language that the layman doesn’t understand? If this were a publication for a scholarly article then your claim would have some validity to it. Don’t get me wrong. We are not to expect mediocrity especially from the educated population but let’s keep it real now! The medium where this is shared as well as the audience for which it is intended justifies her style. My dear Mrs. Thomas-Jeremy continue to make strides in your effort to improve the quality of education that we offer to our students because many are ignorant of the fact that people suffer from learning disabilities are we are too quick to label them as “dotish, sot” or “moun qui pasa apwan”

    • penny
      May 24, 2012

      Lucille

      I do a lot of writing for my job. The piece, while it is not Pulitzer material, is certainly NOT as bad as you tried to make it out to be.

      I suggest you review what YOU wrote and compare your grammar and sentence construction with the article above and then talk to us about what is well written and what’s not!

      DARN HATER!!!!!

    • Lagbee girl
      May 24, 2012

      Lucille you have a Phd I hope and hope you write like a Phd holder and you are smart not just in book knowledge but over all smart. Jean Thomas Jeremy you did good; from Primary School you were smart we had this competing going on in Grade 7, am proud girl. you did excellent.

      Congrats
      Dorella

    • proud
      May 24, 2012

      Leave my aunt alone. If a third grader wants to read it then then will be able to. I hope you sleep with an encyclopedia

    • Teacher
      May 24, 2012

      Alas Alas. Jealous is a bad thing. If you have nothing good to say, just shut up. Thou shall not envy other people’s achievement.

    • ?????????????
      May 24, 2012

      Lucille after your comment, I actually read the “essay” again more than once so I could grasp your point. However, I did not get that feeling. From your own comment, you should have put a full stop (.) after teach and after the y in you should be in capital letter.

      When one writes or speak, they have to impart this in the most simplest terms so all persons can understand. All the big words all have simpler synonyms that can be used so listeners or readers of different level can understand.

      Please try to be positive in future. Do not allow the green monster to show his face. Stamp it out.

    • shy
      May 24, 2012

      I can see jealousy raising it’s ugly head.

    • Chris
      May 25, 2012

      It is very important that small island people change their way of thinking. The size of our country should not be reflected in our thoughts, words and actions. Let us not be such narrow thinkers. Instead, let us use such opportunities to uplift our people. The Good Book instructs us to encourage each other and build each other up, 1Thessalonians 5:11.
      Therefore, before making who we are unintentionally public, take some time to ask yourself, ‘what are the intentions of my words? Am I building someone or am I destroying?’ Then you may proceed with your post. BE BLESSED!!!!!

  39. Mr. Joseph
    May 24, 2012

    Hey. Congratulations. I’m proud of you.the care you show for students is exemplary. continue to make a difference

  40. May 24, 2012

    please people if u can`t spell don`t right comment .if u can spell then re-read what u type and see your mistake.GOVERNMENT,NEGATIVE IT LOOK LIKE HOW U TALK THAT HOW U SPELL JUST SAYING.

    • Anonymous
      May 24, 2012

      Check your spelling. Take your own advice first.

      • real possie
        May 24, 2012

        Yep it should have been thats and not that but we make them on here.

    • Lucille
      May 24, 2012

      To all the ” down thumbers” of my comment. IT is a good thing that she graduated. But the essay is choppy and bland. Should I reword the essay so you can understand,see,comprehend,be educated as to how an essay by a “College Graduate” should read? I will reiterate, her essay is infantile for someone at her level,especially if you take in consideration that she intends to teach. she should and I am certain can do better.

      • Realist
        May 24, 2012

        Lucille, no one cares.

      • Proud
        May 24, 2012

        Is this what you think? That she intends to teach? The people she has taught are all around you. Take a look and ask a question. I hope with your level of “intelligence” you are making some contribution to society

      • ?????????????
        May 24, 2012

        Yes Lucille, I would like to see yoru rewording. Do reword and send to DNO and put your mouth where your money is.

        Here comes Lucille with her “nonchoppy and blandless” esay.

        I am waiting and watching.

        DNO afford her the opportunity! LOL

      • Encourager
        June 17, 2012

        Girl you are just jealous. That’s all I can say to you for now.

    • shy
      May 24, 2012

      At pdp, did you read yours before you commment?You don’t seem very smart to me, but you are critising someone else, you are just jealous of the young lady.Mr or miss perfect.I am not telling you your mistakes because you are too smart for thatt.

      • shy
        May 24, 2012

        MY EXTRA M IS A MISTAKE .

    • Realist
      May 24, 2012

      Pdp, you just made yourself look like a fool.

    • Lovely Dca
      May 24, 2012

      Every time “Grammar Gods” come on DNO and try to correct ppl……bam! their post have grammatical errors like tower cordi Franklyn! Case in point: “please people if u can`t spell don`t RIGHT comment???” Should have been “WRITE”…..ain’t it pdp? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

      Bottom line is you get what the person is trying to say so “shed-uhhhhpp”….Uhhhhhggggg :mrgreen:

    • Moi
      May 24, 2012

      Don’t ‘right’ comment? “How u talk that how u spell?” The pot is calling the kettle black.

      • Sheila
        May 26, 2012

        CORRECTIONS: WRITE! THAT IS ! YOU !

  41. Peeping Tom
    May 24, 2012

    Aww! A pleasant story with which to begin the day. Congrats. I can feel the confidence, pride, and joy coming through this story.

  42. Jr Mayor
    May 24, 2012

    Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
    Great job and I hope the school admistrators will provide the funding to support your work.

  43. Emer
    May 24, 2012

    Congrats Mrs.J. Well done!

  44. ever
    May 24, 2012

    congratulatio ad thats good of u for remembering to say thaks to the gouvermet because some of us ever give the gouermet what they deserve oly negetie points they give and i wish u sucess in all u do

    • Not a herd follower
      May 24, 2012

      Your spelling, your spelling! You need special education. LOL

    • i am dominican
      May 24, 2012

      Oh my God check your spelling before u post your comments

    • It's Me
      May 24, 2012

      She should give you some lessons too, except if the many differently spelled words are another language you need to teach me!!

    • Turth Telling
      May 24, 2012

      Thats a very good compliment, but I think you should at least do a spell check before you post your comments. There are so many errors in your post.

    • sometime
      May 24, 2012

      by reading your comments i see that you need to brush up on your grammar. do not feel ashame of that, we all make this type of mistake. have a blessed day.

      • ?????????????
        May 24, 2012

        Stop criticising. Ever may be one of those Real Grownup who scarificed their going to school to propably take care of the younger ones) who was not graced with attending school like we do now – very privileged. Good try Ever continue and also I wish I could show you how to do the spell check before you post. Good luck on trying to do some reading and composition. Try and try you will succeed at last. Try to attend some Adult Education classes. I know you will do well and even some typing classes. Let the Internet Grand children show you some skills on the keyboard. I know you will learn.

        Before I forget let me congratulate the young lady (Ms Jeremy) who according to Ever has been very grateful and has shown in writing to the persons who afforded her the opportunity to achieve this goal. I also want to remind and join you in giving all the Glory and Thanks to our Heavenly Father foremost.

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