VALERIE ROBLEY — TOBAGO TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Valerie Robley, Princi-pal of the Lambeau Anglican Primary School, near Scarborough, has emerged winner of the inaugural Evelyn James Memorial Award — Tobago Teacher of The Year title. The presentation formed part of Thursday’s opening ceremony of the annual Tobago Teachers’ Get Together at the Tobago Hilton. The award was instituted by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to the memory and honour of school-teacher Evelyn James who was allegedly stabbed to death last March 19 at the Montgomery Government Primary School at Bethel in Tobago’s west end. Jeffrey Guy, of Bethel, has since appeared in court charged with James’ murder. Robley was adjudged winner of the award from a group of eight persons nominated by schools, community groups etc. Three finalists were selected from the list of nominees. The other finalists were Angela Sosa, principal of the newly established Mason Hall Government Secondary School, and Kennetta Bobb, a teacher at Scarborough Secondary.

Schools Supervisor Eleanor King fought unsuccessfully to keep her emotions in check as she recounted a brief profile of the life and times of the murdered school-teacher. This was reflective of the sombre mood that enveloped the ambience during this juncture of the proceedings. In another highly significant gesture, well-known retired primary school principal, Simon “Teacher Simon” Lawrence was presented with the Icon of Education 2003 Award. Much glowing tribute was paid to the little dapper man by primary school principal Michael Duncan, who effected the hat-tie-shirt neatly tucked in pants-dress code by which the little man has become known far and wide. Teacher Simon, a veritable ‘institution’, whose name is synonymous with primary school education in Tobago in an earlier era, was specially saluted by all present for his invaluable contribution to the island’s socio-educational development. Ten retired teachers were also among the special honours’ roll which represented a major feature of the annual event. Activities shifted to the Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive School yesterday for ‘Professional Development Day’ featuring educational displays and discussions focussing on ‘The Way Forward for Education in Tobago’, with ‘Teachers in Concert’ at the same venue at 7.30pm. Today the curtain comes down with a Family Day highlighting the educators at play from 4pm in ‘Games We Used To Play’ at Scarborough Secondary School. “Tobago Education Trans-formation: Strategies for Effective Implementation” was the theme of this year’s Tobago Teachers’ Get Together.