MORE THAN 40 YEARS TEACHING FROM BASIC TO TERTIARY
Dr Clover Francis is not sure if she was born to teach but after more than 40 years of teaching she is sure that should she be born again she would become an educator and do the same thing over.
“I have a passion for teaching. I want people to excel. There is nothing to me like seeing one of my students at the top of the self-actualization ladder. That’s my greatest joy.”
(Councillor Kaydian Harty, right, presents Clover Francis with a plaque, citation and a gift from the SAMC)
Clover Mae Francis is one of eight people honoured on Heroes Day, 2024, by the St Ann Municipal Corporation in various fields of endeavour. She was honoured for her service to Education. UNSUNG HEROES OF ST ANN HONOURED
Clover Francis (nee Stevens) told the North Coast Times that from the time she knew herself as a young girl she wanted to teach. She used to “teach the plants” and she also he taught her four younger siblings at their home in Cascade, St Mary.
(Clover Francis receiving recognition from her Batch 19 at Moneague College, during a celebration in September 2024, for being one of the group to complete doctoral studies. Custos Emeritus Radcliffe Walters makes that presentation)
Then she taught for four years at a basic school in Lodge St Ann before entering The Moneague Teachers College, in Batch 19 in 1974.
After an internship, in 1977, Clover Stevens was employed at Golden Grove All Age where she spent 32 years, before retiring in 2009. She says she treasures those years. Those were times when she carried many responsibilities including being a Grade 6 teacher for 26 years, responsible for preparing students for the Common Entrance and, later, GSAT. Other responsibilities she carried as a senior teacher included JCDC Festival, tuck shop, Spelling Bee, and sports.
It was while there too, with some initiative and in juggling her time she began higher education and training as a guidance counsellor. She had considered other university options but says “I know I wanted to be a helper and so I did guidance counselling.”
Mrs. Francis completed her first degree, through part-time studies,
with the International University of the Caribbean (IUC) and went on to complete the Master in Pastoral Psychology with St Stephens College of Canada. After that, she did a PhD in Counselling with Andersonville Theological Seminary, USA, completing with a GPA of 4.0.
She has been serving at IUC since 2006, first as a part-time lecturer in the Evening Institute until she was asked in 2009 to lecture in the
Psychology department. She continues to supervise that department where she also lectures.
Dr. Francis’ other area of dedication has been the Church. She was first a member of the Newstead Methodist in the Ocho Rios Methodist Circuit. When she married Warren Francis she became anchored in the Methodist Church at Golden Grove. For years she has served in several capacities including Chief Steward, handling all the church’s business not taken on by the pastor. “I am still doing the job,” she says.
Following in her path in education is her daughter Karen Francis, Principal at Westwood High School for Girls. Dr. Francis’ other children are Jossett Francis Wint and Warren Francis, Jr. Her husband predeceased her.
(A section of the audience on Heroes Day, in St Ann’s Bay)
She said: “I am elated to be honoured by the Civic Affairs and Community Relations Committee [of the St Ann Municipal Corporation]. It has been a great joy contributing to nation-building through education and I am grateful to God for gifting me with this talent enabling me to serve children and adults. To God be the glory!”
