Samuel and Prince honored at Government House Ceremony

colorLine.jpg

 

Feature Story:  December 22, 2018

 
 

2019 V.I. State Teacher

Samuel and 2018-19

St. Thomas-St. John

District Teacher Prince

Honored at Government

House Ceremony

 
 

ST. CROIX, USVI -- The Virgin Islands Department of Education recognized its 2019 Virgin Islands State Teacher of the Year Kerra Samuel and 2018-19 St. Thomas-St. John District Teacher of the Year Shernore Prince at a festive ceremony held at Government House on December 21.

 
 

The Territory’s top teachers were lauded by Education officials, colleagues and family members at the mid-morning gathering, which began with a catered breakfast and musical entertainment by the St. Croix Educational Complex High School (SCECHS) Jazz Ensemble.

 
 

Samuel, the intermediate computer lab teacher at Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School on St. Croix and Prince, a sixth grade math, science and health teacher at Joseph Sibilly Elementary School on St. Thomas received bouquets of flowers, plaques, gift baskets and various other tokens of appreciation for their achievements.

 

IMG_1788.JPG

Kerra Samuel, 2019 Virgin Islands State Teacher of the Year and Shernore Prince, 2018-2019 St. Thomas District Teacher of the Year

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

     
 

Attorney Emile Henderson, Government House chief counsel, offered remarks on behalf of Governor Mapp and Lt. Governor Potter.

 

IMG_1788.JPG

 

Henderson went on to praise Prince, calling her a “phenomenal teacher,” and said it was an “honor to represent the Governor” in commending Samuel, his former classmate at St. Croix Central High School, on the work she is “doing in the community for our students.”

 
 

During Samuel’s one-year tenure, which will run through November 2019, she will represent the Virgin Islands public education system on a national scale and plans to champion the system’s continued access to federal funding, among other causes.

 
 

Education Commissioner Dr. Sharon Ann McCollum reminded the honorees of the importance of their role in the community.

 
 

“As educators, we know no one can take away the skills we have given to our students,” she said. “Kerra and Shernore, you are the golden key that unlocks the door [to freedom] every time you walk into your classroom. I am so proud of what this Department is doing. It is because of young people like you that I know we are in good hands.”

 
 

Speaking on behalf of St. Croix District Insular Superintendent Colleen Mae Williams, Deputy Superintendent Faith Dane George-Boone pointed out the commitment that teaching requires.

 

IMG_1788.JPG

 

Sheryl Serano-Griffith, St. Thomas-St. John District Special Education director, congratulated the honorees on behalf of St. Thomas-St. John District Insular Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington.

 
 

“The superintendent wanted to convey her thoughts to you and congratulate you on your achievement,” she said.

 
 

Twenty-seventeen Virgin Islands State Teacher Dinah Browne, currently an assistant principal at Central High School, provided Samuel with some insight into her year ahead.

 
 

IMG_1788.JPG

 

“Kerra, you are about to embark on an incredible journey as State Teacher,” Browne said. “You are about to meet fifty-plus state teachers who will help solidify some of your ideas and cause you to question others of them. Both of you ladies are phenomenal.”

 
 

The ceremony was punctuated by heartfelt presentations from former students, colleagues, dignitaries and family members. Presenters shared stories of their interactions with the honorees and the impact the teachers have had on their respective schools and communities.

 
 

Near the close of the program, Samuel and Prince expressed appreciation for the support of their colleagues, educational leaders and family. They also spoke of their passion for teaching.

 
 

“Public education is rigorous education,” Prince stated, garnering applause from the audience. “I have two little boys at home and I have the same passion for teaching other children, as my sons are also receiving a great public education.”

 
 

Despite challenges, such as not always having the right materials and technology equipment for her classroom, Samuel said she puts her “best foot forward and I thank God for where I am and where I am about to go.”

 

IMG_1788.JPG

 

Other officials in attendance included Acting Assistant Education Commissioner Yvette McMahon-Arnold; St. Croix Deputy Superintendent Vaughn Hewitt; Board of Education Chairman Terrance Joseph; AFT Presidents Rosa Soto-Thomas and Carol A. Callwood; and Pearl B. Larsen Elementary Administrators Joan Claxton and Delicia Sealey-Espinosa.

 
 

The SCECHS Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Kevre Hendricks, provided musical entertainment throughout the ceremony. Dr. Saul Santiago, St. Croix District assessment coordinator, gave the opening and closing prayers, and Keva Muller, Department of Education public relations director, served as mistress of ceremonies.

 

IMG_1788.JPG

 

According to the Council of Chief State School Officers, each year the organization “brings together State Teachers of the Year from the 50 states, U.S. territories, Washington, DC and the Department of Defense Education Activity for a year of professional learning, and facilitates the selection of the National Teacher of the Year.”

 
 

Samuel will visit Washington, DC in the spring to participate in official State Teacher activities.

 
 

###

IMG_1433.JPG

IMG_1439.JPG

IMG_1443.JPG

IMG_1449.JPG

IMG_1460.JPG

IMG_1466.JPG

IMG_1467.JPG

IMG_1487.JPG

IMG_1492.JPG

IMG_1496.JPG

IMG_1508.JPG

IMG_1512.JPG

IMG_1517.JPG

IMG_1521.JPG

IMG_1532.JPG

IMG_1540.JPG

IMG_1546.JPG

IMG_1550.JPG

IMG_1554.JPG

IMG_1575.JPG

IMG_1592.JPG

IMG_1594.JPG

IMG_1597.JPG

IMG_1598.JPG

IMG_1624.JPG

IMG_1633.JPG

IMG_1636.JPG

IMG_1646.JPG

IMG_1654.JPG

IMG_1657.JPG

IMG_1661.JPG

IMG_1668.JPG

IMG_1676.JPG

IMG_1680.JPG

IMG_1685.JPG

IMG_1690.JPG

IMG_1693.JPG

IMG_1701.JPG

IMG_1705.JPG

IMG_1707.JPG

IMG_1710.JPG

IMG_1722.JPG

IMG_1727.JPG

IMG_1740.JPG

IMG_1743.JPG

IMG_1750.JPG

IMG_1751.JPG

IMG_1785.JPG

IMG_1788.JPG

IMG_1790.JPG

IMG_1792.JPG

IMG_1798.JPG

 

colorLine.jpg

Print

Sign in to your account