Ministry Pays Tribute To Dr. Joseph Christopher
The Ministry of Education paid tribute to Dr. Joseph Christopher, saying they will always remember Dr Christopher for “his devotion to Bermuda’s public schools, and education as a whole.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Minister of Education, the Ministry and the Department of Education have today shared this tribute to Dr. Joseph Christopher, A Humble Servant Educational Leader.
“The Forest for the Trees: A Humble Servant Educational Leader: Dr. Joseph Christopher
“Bermuda’s educational community has lost a humble servant leader in Dr. Joseph Christopher. The former Chief Education Officer served from 1996 to 2007.
“Dr. Christopher loved Bermuda’s children and was an advocate for public education. A servant Chief Education Officer, Dr. Christopher embodied the mission of education that says, “To provide all students with equitable access to holistic, varied, and high-quality instruction that is culturally relevant and empowers students to reach their full potential.”
“This he believed could not be achieved without making every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
“If you engaged Dr. Christopher, you knew that as an educator-teacher-principal leader you were a “partner or stakeholder” serving children, families, staff, and board members in his work for Bermuda’s Public Schools. Working with him you knew he was serious with his belief that it takes the whole community to lift up our public schools. A measure of his legacy for education in Bermuda’s Public schools is noted in his book, “A Random Walk through the Forest.”
“While walking through the forest, Dr. Christopher made it clear that the failure to give Black parents/families the opportunity to have a say in the management of the schools their children attended must be corrected. This failure he believed has left the Black family as an institution that is acted upon rather than being significant actors in the development of their children.
“We will always remember Dr, Christopher or “Dr. C”, for his devotion to Bermuda’s public schools, and education as a whole. Dr. Christopher put the safety of children and teachers first.
“His leadership and voice will be missed. Education lost a good man, a humble and rationale voice for equity and unrelenting in confronting barriers that obstructed our children’s development.
“Many great friends and former students are hurting this day. The Ministry and Department of Education pray for his wife Marlene, and family at this difficult time.”
