Dr. CHERRILYN HENRY is one of the co-founders of the grades twelve and thirteen programme and co-pioneer of the evening classes and summer classes at the Ocho Rios High School. She is one of the chief corner stones in the building of the Ocho Rios High School. Mrs. Henry has been an educator for over forty two years, thirty five of which were spent at the Ocho Rios High School.
She states that it is her joy to see students achieve. “The love for my profession, the love for my students, the joy of seeing my students achieve at the highest level motivated me to stay at Ocho Rios High School.” stated Mrs. Henry. She is a disciplinarian, motivator, confidante a no nonsense person. Mrs. Henry said that she was “a born teacher” and for as long as she can recall she wanted to be a teacher.
She graduated with a teachers certificate, at age 21, from Bethlehem Teachers College in St. Elizabeth. She then taught at Morant Bay High School, for three years before moving to Ocho Rios High School in 1979, until she retired in 2009.
Mrs Henry stated that she has found teaching to be rewarding and challenging. “Disciplining students has been one of the challenges I have encountered. Crime and violence have overflowed into the schools and I am in a position where I can’t avoid it. In these times you realize you need someone greater than yourself. That’s when you draw closer to God. That is when you depend on His wisdom to guide you.” said Mrs. Henry
In an interview with The Time she stated that throughout her career there have been many high points. One such instance is when a young man was enrolled in the evening programme at Ocho Rios High and she realized he could not read. “After Mrs. Claudette Lloyd, Herbert Stephenson and I worked with him he was able to do plumbing at Level 1 and English, he was successful in both. This gave me joy, I love to see people achieve” Dr. Henry explained. She stated that her greatest joy is to see her students get good results in their exams.
Born Cherrilyn Burey in Clayground, Bamboo St. Ann, she received her education at the Bamboo All Age School. She grew up in a stable and humble Christian family. She is the last of six siblings, she noted that her mother Maud Burey has molded her into the person she is today; most of the values she taught to her students were lessons her mother instilled in her.
In 1981 she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Education, from CAST now UTECH.
While at the Ocho Rios High she moved through the ranks from a teacher of home economics, to head of the Home Economics Department, to vice principal to senior vice principal, a position which she held for nineteen years.
Dr Henry says a number of people have motivated and helped her to execute her job effectively. Among them is first principal of the Ocho Rios High, Mavis Irwin-Muir.
She thanks her colleagues for always motivating, supporting and encouraging her throughout her period as a vice principal. “Persons such as Claudette Lloyd,. Claudette Prendergast, Elsworth Gooden, Deta Hunter- Holness,Christine Wellington and many others help to make my job the success it is.”
Her deep devotion to a life in Christ ensured she not only played the role of a teacher but also became a mother to many, a friend, and confidante.
ACCOLADES
After being promoted to vice principal of the institution in 1991 she missed the classroom environment.
Many accolades and awards have come her way. In 2006 she was awarded by the Jamaica Teachers Association for thirty five (35) years) of dedicated service. In 2004 she was awarded as the outstanding teacher, by the graduates of Ocho Rios High School, in addition she was awarded by the Jamaica Evangelistic Mission in 2008 for thirty-two (32) years of service to the organization. Most recently she was awarded by the Ocho Rios High school on Heroes Day October 16, 2015 for thirty five years of service and leadership.
Mrs Henry wants parents to live exemplary lives.“Over the years parental skills have deteriorated, parents need to be more responsible, accountable. They should train their children that with every choice there is a consequence,” she emphasized.
She also encourages students to take responsibility for their learning. “Students should stop playing the blame – game and strive for excellence in whatever they do. Doesn’t matter which school you attend with the right attitude you will achieve,” said Mrs Henry.
PASSION AND LOVE
She encourages young teachers to enter the profession with passion and love for it.
Dr. Cherrilyn Henry is the wife of Pastor Leroy Henry, for forty one years. The marriage produced four children, three sons and a daughter. Mrs. Henry stated her husband showed her tremendous support throughout her career. “He has been a tower of strength. While I was ensuring other persons’ kids flourished he helped to ensure our own children stayed on the right path and for that I am forever grateful,” she explained.
In 2014 she received her doctorate in Christian Counselling from the Central Christian University in North Carolina. Fully qualified as a counsellor she is involved with her community of Clay Ground, Tanglewood and other areas offering pre marital and marital counselling and other counseling services
“I also assist my husband with pastoral duties at his church that is the Clay Ground Tabernacle in Bamboo, and the Retreat Tabernacle in Brown’s Town St.Ann,” she said.
In addition she is choir leader, Sunday school teacher, lay preacher, presenter at conferences and retreats for the Jamaica Evangelistic Mission.
Asked if she had any regrets, Mrs. Henry referred to popular words of Frank Sinatra:
“Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do,
and saw it through without exemption….
I did it my way, always cognizant that education is the key to personal and national development
