JOB WELL DONE
Esther Henry – Principal of St Ann’s Bay Infant School
Britanie Tulloch
With four decades of selfless and unbroken service in the education sector, Esther Henry has not only provided guidance to teachers and students under her leadership but also has contributed immensely to the development of the St. Ann’s Bay Infant school in St. Ann. She continues to mould and shape the lives of children at the most impressionable and critical juncture in their educational journey which is early childhood level at the institution where she has been serving since 1989.
She has inspired hope, ignited the imagination and instilled a love of learning in the students placed in her care for 40 years.
When asked in an interview with The Times, what motivates her, Mrs. Henry replied saying, “The fulfillment I get on seeing my students excel is a great motivator and it gives me great satisfaction in knowing that I am contributing in a positive way to the lives of these young ones.”
Early Life
Born Esther Dunn in Davis Town, St. Ann, she received her early education at the Chalky Hill All-Age School. She grew up seeing her mother Sarah Dunn and father Oniel Dunn working on a property in Thicketts, St. Ann and caring for the family of six children (two sisters and three brothers). She was the second child.
It was as a student at Chalky Hill All-Age that she was first inspired and developed this passion for teaching, “I can remember at times when there were staff meetings or my teacher was absent and I would assume her role taking charge of the class, and marking the register. It felt like I was a young trainee at the time.”
Teachers at Chalky Hill All-Age and Ocho Rios Secondary that she later attended recognized the abilities and enthusiasm of Esther Dunn and helped to steer her toward teaching. At Chalky Hill All Age then principal Austin George Hemmings and teachers Patricia Simpson and Arnold Nicholson were instrumental in recognizing her potential.
At Ocho Rios Secondary (now High) Lilieth Bryan was the teacher who encouraged her to apply to Moneague Teachers College which she entered as a 17 year old in 1976. She did her studies in Primary Education and went to Albert Town primary as an intern before graduating with a teacher’s certificate.
Life at the St. Ann’s Bay Infant School
Following internship, she went to at Prickly Pole Primary where she spent 10 years (1979-1989).
Mrs. Henry went back to The Moneague Teachers College in 1988 to do her diploma in teaching and with fresh energy and new perspectives she went to St. Ann’s Bay Infant School.
“When this was job was offered to me I did not see it as a challenge because I love children. From I came here the first year, I fell in love with them and didn’t want to go anywhere else. They are so nice and pure. They just hug you, talk to you openly, they don’t have anything to hide.”
She cherishes memories such as identifying a student who was struggling with his performance, partly because of his economic circumstances. She spoke to his parents and encouraged and assisted him to get to school regulalry. Years later she saw him: ‘‘I was so happy to see how he has grown and what he has achieved. It warms my heart to see him reaching his full potential, knowing where he is coming from…”
LEADING THE SCHOOL
In 2010 Mrs. Henry became acting principal and was confirmed as principal in 2012. She is now in charge of the school with a student population of 174 pupils, eight teachers, two care givers/assistant teachers, one janitor and two cooks.
Mrs. Henry is a proud awardee of the JTA Golden Torch received after serving 37 years
She has changed the school’s physical appearance as well as its focus. She saw to the National emblems and symbols being painted on the walls; she relocated the play area to a safer section of the grounds where it is easier to oversee the children; she opened a library and started several clubs at the school, including Arts and Craft, 4H and the Reading clubs.
In the interim, she has kept improving her skills and qualifications, obtaining her degree from the Nova Southern Nova Southeastern University in 2007 and has recently completing her two rounds of National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL).
Family Life
She resides in Greenwich Acres Housing Scheme with her husband, Horace Henry and two children, Jermaine who works in tourism and daughter, Jahnelle, a student at The Moneague College.
Esther Henry is a devoted Christian and worships at the Calvary Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church in St. Ann’s Bay where she is also a member of the choir. She is also the secretary for the Greenwich Acres Citizens Association.
She’s going off on early retirement to give back to parents who did so much for her. “My main reason for leaving is for my parents. Seeing that they have sacrificed so much for us- for me especially…and now that they are getting up in age, I see where they need help and I want to be around more.”
After 40 years of sterling performance and a legacy of love, faith and determination she can consider it a job well done
