Firstly , I want to say HAPPY TEACHER’S DAY to all the hardworking and dedicated teachers all over the world. We salute and appreciate the sacrifices you make to mold the future generations to achieve their highest potential and go after their dreams.
Today, I want to highlight an amazing teacher that was more than a blessing to me. I can say that now almost 20 year’s later (damm I’m getting oldL)…
Honestly, I tend to talk about High School even basic school more than I do Primary school. Why? For the most part I don’t think I liked primary school. I always wanted to attend prep school (don’t judge me..) but seriously, I wanted to learn to speak “stush” and behave proper. But the opposite happened …laughing… It’s all good though.
Today, I went by my old school, St. Jude’s Primary School to look for my 5 Grade teacher Miss Ainsworth, who is now the Principal. I can’t remember the last time I visited the school, probably in 6th form (I am not sure). But Miss Ainsworth is such a warm-hearted and sincere woman of God and she is always encouraging me. So I stopped by this morning to visit her for Teachers’ Day.
As I entered the school, the memories came back from Grade 1 to Grade 5. I wish I could write about my experience (probably should write a book.. hmm.. now that’s an idea). But, standing there with Ms. Ainsworth listening to her plans, dreams and visions for the school and the students; honestly for the first time in almost 20 years, I had a great sense of appreciation for her and the noble institution.
To be honest, I wasn’t always fond of Ms. Ainsworth…. she was very strict. In Grade 5, she didn’t allow her class to go outside to play, she used to beat me to wear ribbons (and if you know me I lose my ribbons every single day so that’s a lot of spanking), we had to say our 2 times tables to 25 times table every single day. Each time we spoke out of turn, we paid $5 or $10 Ja.; which is a lot of money for somebody who got $60Ja for lunch and if you know me who never stop talking, I probably ended up paying more than half my lunch money.
She was an excellent academia and teacher. She truly lived the mantra “Every child will learn, Every child MUST learn”. So no matter who you are, she was able to turn you into a scholar in your own potential. She also believed in a well-rounded child, so we had to do extra curriculum activities and on Fridays, we had games or she taught us some songs (in Spanish, French or olden songs) – which I thought was weird but now when I hear the songs, those memories make me smile.
I smile now reflecting because I did not appreciate her or the school at the time or even after. But I now know how intentional God is regarding every details of our life. I am so appreciative of many of my classmates and ex-schoolmates now – knowing them has been more than a blessing in my life. I don’t want to name them because the St. Jude’s clan of 1998 and 1999 is very close and we still support each other even now but I appreciate them so much.
I wrote this blog to publicly salute Ms. Suzanne Ainsworth as a Woman of Worth. As I stood there beside her, feeling so proud as a past student of the prestigious St. Jude’s Primary School, I realized for Ms. Ainsworth, teaching is not a job or career….. It’s a CALLING… That she so proudly continue to shine through. It’s also a confirmation for what I keep hearing GOD saying to me for past couple of weeks; that we can only live a fulfilling life by walking into your purpose, making a living from it and impacting the world through serving with your gifts.
Thank You Ms. Ainsworth for using your gift of teaching, caring and serving and molding so many of us into ambitious individuals and showing us that our potential is truly unlimited. Thank you for confirming to me that as we walk out our true calling, lives will be impacted effortlessly. Thank you for being a woman of worth, purpose and sincerity. I truly love and appreciate you!