Education Ministry Announces New Appointments
The Ministry of Education today announced the appointment of two new primary school principals and three preschool administrators; Tajuana Dean, Charles Joynes, Sheryce Raynor, Jana Pitcher and Alana Tucker.
Permanent Secretary of Education Warren Jones said, “The Ministry is pleased to announce the appointment of these five outstanding educators and administrators. Their appointments represent the development of future leaders and capacity building to improve student achievement across the public education system.”
Ms. Tajuana Dean has been appointed as the Principal of Dalton E. Tucker Primary School. In 2012 Ms. Dean was appointed Acting Principal, Dalton E. Tucker Primary School. She has been an educator for 28 years having served in the capacity of Deputy Principal and Classroom Teacher at Port Royal Primary School, Mentor Teacher for the Bermuda Teacher Induction Programme and Classroom Teacher at Victor Scott Primary School.
Mr. Charles Joynes has been appointed as Principal of Northlands Primary School. Mr. Joynes began his teaching career in Bermuda in 1986 and in 1991 relocated to the United States to continue his education. In 1991 he began his teaching career with the Hamilton County Department of Education, Chattanooga, Tennessee as a Classroom Teacher, but also working his way through several positions of responsibility during his tenure, including as a Deputy Principal and Principal.
Mrs. Sheryce Raynor has been appointed as the Preschool Administrator of Lagoon Park Preschool. Mrs. Raynor has been an educator for 22 years, having served in the capacity as Classroom Teacher, Paget Primary School from 1993-2007 and Mentor Teacher for the Bermuda Teacher Induction Programme, 2007 to 2013.
Mrs. Jana Pitcher has been appointed as the Preschool Administrator of St. George’s Preschool. Mrs. Pitcher has been an educator for 16 years. She began her career as a Classroom Teacher at Francis Patton Primary School and also taught at East End Primary School and St. David’s Primary School. She also served as the Literacy Coordinator at St. David’s Primary School, 2007-2013.
Mrs. Alana Tucker has been appointed as the Preschool Administrator of St. David’s Preschool. Mrs. Tucker is a dedicated teacher with 22 years of teaching experience, having taught in both the private and public education systems. She commenced her career as a Classroom Teacher at Prospect Primary School and has taught at Warwick Academy and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo before returning to Prospect Primary School.
As leaders, I wish them luck with administrative duties and a firm hold on discipline.
Hope there’s no glass ceiling ,I would like to see Bermudians in the highest level of administration !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish all of these educators well and hope they can raise the standards of all the schools they will oversee.
However,I personally would prefer to see principles and Teachers that are educated, qualified and effective , and if they happen to be Bermudian – Great, if not , as long as my taxes are being used to find our kids the best – that is what is important to me. Please note that I am not drawing reference to the specific individuals listed in this story -as I am sure they are all qualified, effective and respected.
But I also believe some people tend to look at an educators birthplace first and care far less about how qualified and effective they are as a teacher. If we continue to accept an applicant solely because they are Bermudian and because they graduated with a teaching degree then know that we are going to have some teachers, that …just can’t teach. We all had them at one point. A degree isn’t enough! A teacher must be reliable, effective, honest, respected and – a great teacher! Not everyone can do it.
In any other profession, anywhere in the world, being qualified isn’t enough and people realize – that being qualified does not make you effective. We have all hired professionals in different fields that are not great at what they do and we wouldn’t dream of settling on a job that was not well done,simply because the individuals are qualified. For some reason, we have come to settle for less – even when it comes at the expense of our children’s future.
The Peter Principle reigns supreme in Government jobs whereby people are promoted to their level of complete incompetence. All that matter is how much time you have put into the job.
Ya all that is fine and dandy, but looking at the big picture ,historically Bermudians have been under minded and thought of as incompetent. I’ve travelled extensively down the Islands and I understand the reason they have so much pride. I worked in construction over 30 years ago and worked with the best tradesmen this Island can offer and have seen how they where overlooked and where denied top positions, and the so called experts they bought in did’nt have a clue and done more harm then good to the company. I’m not painting all overseas expert’s with the same brush but that was my experience and I’m sure others have theirs. So I think it’s time to break the historical stigma that Bermudians are incompetent to hold high level positions in our own land.
wonderful, now as the new school year starts let’s put aside the negative and focus on our children’s education.
What, no foreigners qualified for these post ? We actually have smart bermubian in our school system ? Way to go mr. Jones !!!!!
Um, so what are their levels of education? Bachelor’s Degree? Master’s Degree? Doctorate Degree?? And in what areas? Hello? Knock knock….these are more important qualifications than just years teaching as serving as ‘acting’ principals. I’m not trying to put down any of these new principals but how can the ministry make this announcement without giving their qualifications? I guess we have to assume they have met the ‘requirements’ of the Ministry of Education for these positions (now I’m being sarcastic).
I have seen/known many highly educated persons with the highest degrees without teaching experience and without the common sense required to deal with our children. My grandfather use to say “all education and no common sense” Why is it that the Ministry of Education hires MENTORS!!!!
Love our children
Yes, I agree BUT no level of qualifications will speak for what they may or may not be capable of within their new positions. But for your information my mom was one of the persons appointed – and she has received a BA MA and many other designations to speak for her. Not to be bias but my mom is a phenominal educator and will serve her post, teachers; and children with nothing less then her BEST.
Excellent Mrs Raynor!! You have left a lasting impression on the students and mentees you’ve taught! Wishing you and the other appointments above the very best!
@ somuchmore agree!
Congrats Tajuana on your position, after all you have worked hard and deserve the role of leader. Now…Friends and fam package for some I’m thinking. Interesting to find out how these folk were selected for the PS to describe them as outstanding. Mmmmm
Congratulations Ms Dean on your position. You have worked hard and have always had a passion for teaching. You are a dedicated, loving and caring teacher/person who will continue to do well in our education system. I was a parent of yours at Victor Scott and I am very pleased to have had you as my son’s teacher. He is now 31. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Proverbs 3:5-6
One of your happy & satisfied parents
Good luck and best wishes to all, go out and do your job with all your heart and I will be satisfied.
Congrats Jana! One of the reason I still have faith in public education!!!!
Ladies and gentlemen,
i had to comment on that phrase. Education and Common Sense is like apples and oranges. Many uneducated people love to use that phrase to justify their frivolous motives. obtaining a Degree/Master/Doctorate/Certificate means that you have a attained a certain level of education in a PARTICULAR field. Common sense is (my lay definition) the ability to deal with life challenges and that is dependent on your surroundings, culture, experiences and/or circumstances.
sincerely