DAT General Secretary speaks of quest for quality teachers in the classroom

Jno Lewis encouraged teachers to attend the workshop annually
Jno Lewis encouraged teachers to attend the workshop annually

General Secretary of the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT), Francis Jno Lewis has said the association continues in its endeavours to ensure that Dominican teachers provide quality teaching in the classroom.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the DAT’s Summer Institute/workshop for teachers earlier this week.

“As a result over past years we have instituted with the Canadian Teachers Association and with the Ministry of Education on an annual basis where at this time we ask our teachers, who request after they have reflected upon a year of lesson delivery in the classroom, after they reflected upon a year where they have had interaction with their colleagues, their counterparts, and their Principals and with other learning support advisors within the Ministry of Education and with parents, and the community,” he said. “We ask that they come here so that we can renew our commitment to the quality that we want to give to our teachers, students and towards education in Dominica.”

He applauded the participants and partners for their efforts in continuing to launch forward in their quest to quality education.

Jno. Lewis encouraged teachers to attend these workshops on an annual basis.

During the course of the workshop, teachers will benefit from courses including; teacher professionalism, gender equity and HIV and AIDS.

“All of these are areas that we experience in the classroom and within our work culture on a regular basis,” Jno. Lewis stated. “And as a result, we see the need to continue to expose our teachers to the skills and the competencies required as they develop into a whole and committed teacher in the classroom.”

He stated further that as trained professionals’ teachers are the ones trained with the responsibility of educating children.

“Too often I hear comments that parents don’t support, too often I hear comments about home work not being done, but at the end of the day even when parents do not support and even when home works are not done at the end of the day we are the ones who are being paid to ensure that the children learn,” Jno Lewis noted.

Meanwhile Canadian Teacher’s Federation (CTF), Team Leader, Tina Hellmuth said teachers hold the key in igniting passion in others.

Tina Hellmuth is part of the Canadian Teachers' Federation
Tina Hellmuth is part of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation

According to her, some students may be harder to reach and teach, “But we still must try to ignite that spark of learning.”

“We need to be creative so that students will engage, we as teachers need to stand together and support each other,” she noted. “It is through unity we become strong…”

The workshop, which will run for the next two weeks, is hosted by DAT, together with the Ministry of Education and CTF.

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9 Comments

  1. July 15, 2016

    Hamil,,,,,,,,,,I cannot agree with more than that you hit the nail right on the head……..Isn’t his position a conflict of interest? Ask DAT President. He was placed in that position to harass and use psychology to get membership for his DAT union. Teachers that good for all u,,,,,,,,,all u that there supporting that union against allu OWN Interest. The power of the people is greates than the people in power

  2. Iluvteachers
    July 15, 2016

    I hear all sorts of talk, but I’m just not hearing about salary increases and permanent appointment for teachers.. I feel for teachers they have to use money from their small salary to buy classroom materials. Where is the encouragement . All I hear is we want we want.. smh

  3. Teacher
    July 15, 2016

    Maybe they should start by paying trained and graduate teachers first. Then those that are not trained will be motivated to get trained.

  4. Hamil
    July 14, 2016

    My dear sir,did I hear you correctly?even if a child does not complete his homework,or parents do not support teachers,teachers have a job to do?Really! Well let me enlighten you sir. It is a parent’s duty to help the child she gave birth to,and to help that child develop a sense of autonomy,ie responsibility for his or her learning. And it is the teacher’s responsibility to impart knowledge. But don’tyou dare blame teachers for all students’ mishaps. In so doing what type of students and parents are you encouraging? You need to stop harassing teachers and instead encourage them.You were no exemplary example as a teacher. Most of you are not,until you all reach a managerial position.teaching is a collaborative job.it takes the parents, teachers, which includes the school ,church ,government,and community to work together.Educate the parents especially those who to not invest the time in their children.Some of them money is their god

    • Jt
      July 15, 2016

      Well said ..

  5. teacher
    July 14, 2016

    The State college should by now be offering a Bachelor’s degree in Education seeing that the Teacher’s college has been around for a long time. We need upgrades!!!

  6. sweetpea
    July 14, 2016

    Way papa look whose talking oh boy! Tell me about the quality service you have provided as a teacher, principal and now as an e.o. I see DAT has a new obsession. Add this one appointment for teachers..

  7. gwensho
    July 14, 2016

    They need to stop send NEP in the class room when there are enough trained teachers graduated from DSC.

    • teacher
      July 14, 2016

      Some of the NEP sent to the classroom ARE trained teachers graduated from DSC. Plus the NEP at my school are doing an excellent job.

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