The Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) has awarded four recently retired teachers for their many years of service to the profession.
Marley J. Baptiste, Patrick Jeffers, Corina Laville and Merlina Sylvain were awarded for their dedication to the teaching service at DAT’s 12th biennial conference held on Wednesday morning.
President of DAT, Celia Nicholas, presented the awards to the retirees.
Marley Baptiste served as a teacher for 39 years and is a former principal of the Roosevelt Douglas Primary School.
Corina Laville was recognized for 40 years of dedicated service to teaching. Laville is a retired principal of the Warner Primary School and former member of the DAT. She was described as a “stalwart” of the DAT.
Merlina Sylvain received recognition after serving as an educator for 36 years. Sylvain served as a teacher and principal of the Thibaud Primary school.
Former principal of the Soufriere Primary School Patrick Jeffers was awarded after serving as an educator for 36 years. Jeffers played a key role in creating the policy booklet on AIDS and HIV for education.
Meantime, DAT President Celia Nicholas was recognized by the Status of Women Committee for her service to the organization and the teaching.
A moment of silence was also observed for deceased educators Aisha Mark, Freddie Mendes, Emelda Dejean, Brenda Dodds Baptiste and Charles Gregoire.
There should be some funds set aside from DAT to those retirees along side when receiving their plaques,
Their faces would light brighter.
Congratulations to Marley, past co-worker.
that president is NOT doing anything for teachers…..teavhers withdraw, withdraw all u memembership from CELIA NICHOLS UNION….its time for all to get SERIOUS
Congratulation to all the recipients.It is time for the President of the DAT to step down .Give another person a chance to serve
congrats to mr laville your presnce at the warner primary will always be missed and thank god fr the courage to contiune that service for 40 years not manny people now can delicate such long services any more mauy god contiune to richly bless you and your family.heartsof to you.
Congratulations to all of you. In this era, I am pleased that you are being recognized for your hard work and the input into your teaching profession.
Those who were teachers and long before you were not then recognized. You probably know some of them or heard about them. They have since departed the earth. They were excellent teachers who also gave of their time, remaining after school and tutoring students who lagged behind educationally, slower than others.
Some of them also gave unpaid private lessons at their homes. Their income was none to compare to that of today, being sole breadwinners and a family, big ones also to support. They who were also religious did well.
They were dedicated teachers who also disciplined their students. Those students were well-behaved and not like the students of today, at least some of them.
There were no fights or arguments in the schools or school yards. Students respected their teachers. If they acted contrarily, they knew what the result would have been from the head of the school and their parents as well who cooperated with the teachers.
Teaching was in their blood. Some of the children they taught went on to be island scholarships and successfully excelled in their chosen field.
Those teachers retired without any fanfare and no doubt thank you. As their salary was small, so was their retirement income even smaller.
They are not here to be congratulated and to receive a reward. I pray God gave them their due reward in His Heavenly Kingdom.
To them, who resided throughout Dominica, most of whom I did not know, I say, “Thank you” and “God bless your soul” for also those who did not consider informing them as the authorities in the educational system of those days who also have since vacated the world. I pray too that God had mercy on their souls.
Baptiste was never a principal DNO get your facts straight
These were some hardworking principals. They will be surely be missed, cuz the some of the ones replacing them dont even want to teach, all they want to do is sleep and play secretary.
After years of long service and paying 15.00 every month to DAT, that’s all they give an old piece of plaque stupes smh.. Treat the teachers oh oh!
congrats marley ,we went to PSS TOGETHER.
Congratulations to all! However, I am asking myself if Celia Nicholas the only person who can serve as president as the teachers association? Where are the other competent teachers of the land.
congrats MR Baptiste. Thanks for your service
Congratulations to Ms Nicholas. You taught me at Convent High School. You were always very intelligent and caring. Well Deserved.
Congratulations Mr. Jeffers and Mr. Baptiste you have made an invaluable contribution towards the education of our youth.
Well done Mr. Baptiste
Congratulaion Merlina enjoy your retirement .
correction (congratulation)
Congratulation to the teachers that was awarded especially Merlina and Marley.
Congratulation Merles, sister your hard work pays off. Enjoy your retirement to the fullest. You worked very hard and u desrve a rest. Enjoy and God bless.
So the president of the DTA, ain’t retiring at all, to allow a new comer the same opportunity.
stupes…………………….
Excellent gesture. Congratulations to all the retirees! You were faithful to the cause of educating our nation, hence the reason you stayed until retirement. I wish you all long life and an enjoyable senior life. Grace and blessing to you all. Hearts off to Mrs Nicholas who has been a stalwart educator par excellent. Madam you have served with conscience and great love for children. Keep doing the great job. There is much opportunity for you to serve in deserving positions. The Lord will so direct!
bla!
Mrs. Laville was a great teacher and inspiration to many. Her devotion to the profession was amazing. Congrats to all the other teachers I am sure they were just the same.
Alas those dedicated works gone with no salary increase in the last years of service
It is very nice to see that DAT has recognised some of the most influential teachers who dedicated their time to educate some of us. I would like to say thank you for the time and patience they have spend in giving us the education we have carried forward to our children today.
Great to show appreciation to our teachers. We worked hard but they were the ones who motivated and supported our growth and education. Salud todos!!