HAILED FOR WORK AT CUMBERLAND HIGH, EDUCATORS’ DEVELOPMENT COURSES
OCHO RIOS, St Ann’; June 5, 2025
Many of those receiving the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation, on May 28, are long serving, very qualified and dedicated educators. One of the more recent entrants to the education system, yet a competent and qualified educator, is Darien Henry, whose work continues to shape education leadership in Jamaica,” according to the citation presented with his Medal of Appreciation, at Jamaica House.
Henry is the Principal at Montego Bay Community College and has been an educator for 17 years.
The biennial awards ceremony at which the medals were presented recognized 39 educators for 2023 and 40 for 2024. Mr Henry was recognized among the 2023 cohort. HILLCOVE PREP FOUNDER GETS PM’S MEDAL
(Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness presents Principal of Montego Bay Community College, Dr. Darien Henry, with the PM’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education)
Before his switch to education, he had a bright career in journalism, as a reporter, presenter, and editor, with a Diploma in Mass Communications at UWI. He worked first for IRIE FM and later had stints at CVM, RJR and TVJ.
He holds a Bachelor of Education from the Mico University College and graduated with the Master of Arts, Leadership in TVET and Workforce Dev, from the UWI in 2019.
He completed his Doctor of Education at Temple University in 2024.
Darien Henry came to national attention as an educator while he was Principal at Cumberland High in St Catherine, from 2017 to 2021
The citation to Dr Henry recognized his contribution to education for more than a decade. “He has played a pivotal role in the transformational leadership of Cumberland High, which led to a significant change in student discipline and academic performance. He was innovative in spearheading initiatives such as Principal’s Weekly Home Visit, the TVET Center of Excellence and Male Empowerment Month, all during his leadership at Cumberland High [School],” the citation said.
It also acknowledged his service to educators in the Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Programme and professional development workshops for classroom teachers.
“Driven by Passion for innovation within the education sector, he has pioneered several projects to inspire change he hopes to see,” the Citation said.
In 2021, Henry was appointed Principal at Montego Bay Community College. He says his leadership there surrounds building out MBCC as the College of the Future.
Yhomo Hutchinson/JIS Photo
