Can’t keep ‘Miss’ Wendy down

ARIMA Senior Comprehensive School teacher, Wendy Augustus’ philosophy on life is: “Throw me a lemon, and I’ll make lemonade.” The suspended teacher smiled, pleasantly, as she said those words, without betraying a hint of bitterness in her voice. Wendy who was suspended in 2002 is running for the post of TTUTA president. However, it seems that “Miss” or “Miss Augustus”, as she was known to her students, has been making more than lemonade over the past two years since charges were laid against her and eight others resulting in their suspension from the school, and followed by an ongoing court battle involving the Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Commission. “Things have been very, very good,” she said when People caught up with the busy mother of two. She has since completed her Masters degree in Youth Education at the University of the West Indies. She is currently part-time lecturer in Communications and Fundamentals of Writing at the Cipriani Labour College.

She stressed: “Lecturing after hours, after 5.30 pm” which in no way conflicts with being on suspension. Wendy is also associated with the international organisation Goodwill Industries for the West Indies – for children with disabilities, where one of her children attends. Added to that, the English teacher has intensified her campaign efforts for the post of Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) president in the upcoming TTUTA national elections, October 21. Though on suspension “with full pay”, Wendy explained, she is quite eligible to run for president. “TTUTA’s constitution allows for that. The only criterion is that you be a financial member,” she said. She represents the A Plus team which also comprises teachers Forbes Persaud, Surujdath Mahabir, Andrina Antoine-Cruikshank and Allison Sookoo. “I have been facing challenges for the last three years… Nobody, the Ministry of Education, nor the Teaching Service Commission can invalidate my efforts as teacher for the past 24 years.”

It was in 1980 when Wendy, fresh out of university, after attaining her first degree in English, entered the teaching profession. Her objective then, is the same today – to contribute in a positive way to the Education system. Prior to teaching at Arima Senior Comprehensive, she was both English Language and English Literature teacher at Curepe Junior Secondary. Her charge had been the school’s magazine. She once headed the English and Spanish departments and spearheaded the debating society. In 1990, Augustus obtained a transfer to Arima, after her expressed desire to teach at another level. “I wanted the challenge of teaching another age group and preparing students for CXC. At CXC you have more measurable goals. I was now working with students who were more mature and it was always interesting because at that age they have all these high ideals, and I found that stimulating; I wanted to be a part of that. Additionally, the school was just five minutes away from home.” At Arima, Wendy was known for her involvement in the school’s steelband. She taught the same subjects on an average of 27 classes per week, at Fourth and Fifth Form level.

A member of TTUTA for more than 20 years, she also held the contentious post of staff representative up to her suspension. A fall-out occurred between teachers and the school’s principal, Cheryl Wilkinson, concerning Wilkinson’s governance, prompting the Ministry of Education’s intervention. The issue spiralled out of control when an agreement of arbitration by all parties involved was broken. “We had a meeting with the minister and we had agreed to an arbitration, which was recommended by the Teaching Service Commission. The minister promised that nobody would be removed. We tried alternative dispute resolution and agreed that no hostile discussions would take place. However, seven days later, we were served with suspensions. I was in shock,” Wendy said. “It was a Sunday morning. My family and I were having breakfast and the phone rang. A friend had called to tell me that he had heard that the police was coming to serve me with a suspension notice and I laughed.

Five minutes later I saw about eight police officers outside accompanied by the schools’ supervisor. My family was traumatised. Because I live on a circular, it looked as though they had surrounded the house. All the neighbours came out and they were mortified because it looked like a drug bust.
“I was charged on four counts, one of which is for being involved in union activity, meaning that I held meetings with staff, and we are talking about 85 teachers. These meetings, though, were held during lunchtime. Another other charge is based on an allegation of name-calling, with reference to the principal.” The suspended nine responded to the charges by filing for judicial review, challenging the action by the Ministry and the Commission. “They (Ministry of Education) now have to justify their actions in court as to why they laid the charges against me, the complainant and not the principal,” Wendy said. Wendy does not see herself culpable of any “crimes” slapped against her. According to her, she was simply performing the duties outlined as staff rep. She considers herself an exemplar to her students and boasts of having a reputable history. She said she is “popular” with the students at Cipriani Labour College.

“Cipriani is like family. It’s worker-oriented, and the programmes are tailored to meet the needs of the larger society,” she said. What would be Wendy’s next move should the court rule in favour of the suspended teachers? She was hesitant to say whether she would return to her former post at Arima Senior Comprehensive. “I’ve changed in the last two years. My horizons have broadened. I got my Masters so I’m even more qualified. I’m presently working with adults, so now I’ll weigh my options more carefully. “The battle at Arima is a lose-lose situation. Any victory is for the education system. I’ve felt that the education system failed us all, that is, those involved,” Wendy lamented. Following the school’s impasse, senior staff members and several students have transferred to other schools. The current population is the lowest it’s ever been,” she added.

In the meantime, Wendy continues to receive support from her husband Melvin and teenage sons Reon and Andre as she tries to generate support for her campaign. Why vote for “Miss” as TTUTA president? “I can make a contribution. I think the union has been focusing on salaries and side-stepping the professional issues which are the training and development of teachers. So many changes are happening with education and teachers need to keep up. Anyone who takes up office has to do an assessment as to whether we (TTUTA) are true to our vision. I have been a member since my inception into the profession. I am on the St George East District executive and I serve on the Conference of Delegates… I think it was inevitable at some point in time a woman would hold that position.”