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When the country’s teachers go to the polls in June to elect the president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), La Sonya Terwhissen-Harrison, principal of St. Faith’s Primary School in Glengoff, St. Catherine, will be with four men. You will have to line up. Tim Roy Shaw, Easton McNamee, Leighton Johnson, Anthony Kennedy.
Based on the history of the organization, the odds are not in her favor, but she is undaunted.
Logically, her choice would be an unfair choice since over 80% of the island’s educators are women. However, Terwisen-Harrison said only 11 women have reached the top post in 57 years.
“In general, members tend to support male leadership, as evidenced by the long-standing predominance of male presidents. “I feel confident, given the scope of my career. Even up to the international level,” she said. The Gleaner.
While acknowledging that everything depends on the vote on Election Day, the educator believes he has done enough to make a strong case for election to JTA leadership on the strength of his advocacy. There is. classroom teacher.
“I’m confident, but I’m not going to play the woman card. I think this will probably work against me, so I’m not really. I’m going to run on the strength of my activities in the association, but “It’s well documented and there’s no question about my commitment in terms of advocating for teachers,” she said. The Gleaner.
Additionally, Ms. Terwysen-Harrison was instrumental in drafting the Jamaica Teachers’ Council Bill, served on numerous committees at Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) level, and represented Jamaican teachers at international education forums.
“Therefore, what I am proposing is my work on behalf of the Association, and being invited to Parliament to speak on matters of national interest certainly means that I am keeping abreast of issues of great importance.” It shows that you are.”
After she responded to the Joint Select Committee’s call for public input on the National Identification and Registration Act 2020, Committee Chair Delroy Chuck was so impressed that she was invited to give a presentation in person.
“I have never been a teacher representative, but this proves that I am capable of representing them on issues of national importance on a broader scale. Before that, when I was still a classroom teacher, , I served as a teacher representative when the Prime Minister commissioned the Task Force to review the Japan Teachers’ Union Bill. So, essentially, I brought my experience and knowledge of issues that affect educators at all levels of the Teacher Union. have.”
have confidence
So while the St. Faith Elementary School principal believes her track record on behalf of teachers and the industry is enough to propel her to the top post at JTA, she is not taking anything for granted. do not have.
“It will ultimately be a same-day vote, so we’ll see how teachers vote in June.”
A devoted Christian who is married with one adult child, her goals if elected will focus on continuing professional training to improve and recalibrate teachers’ skills and competencies in blended pedagogies. You will have to do so. She also lobbied for an increase in her GEASO/Sagicor health plan for teachers, which automatically increases her child’s pay until age 23 and for children with special needs until age 30. I plan to work with her to qualify for Sagicor benefits.
On the issue of health benefits, Terhuysen-Harrison said she will advocate for expanding JTA’s counseling services to each region so that more teachers have access to psychosocial support. In addition to partnering with the Caribbean Retirement Community to expand benefits for retired teachers, she will also work on investments to expand the Critical Illness Trust Fund and secure private partnerships. She advocates for the creation of nurseries in schools or on a cluster basis for mothers who are breastfeeding teachers, and promoting doing it right the first time is also one of her priorities.
If elected, he will serve as president from 2022 to 2023. The current president-elect, Winston Smith, will serve as president for the 2021-2022 academic year.
She also plans to continue lobbying the government for better working conditions and remuneration packages.
christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com
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