Alesia Edwards
Veteran educator Herman Grant knows too well that a positive attitude is key to maintaining a positive classroom climate, and this has been so for him for the 29 years he spent in education, as a trained educator, and at the Ocho Rios Primary School in St. Ann where he moved from a classroom teacher to the principal’s desk.Mr. Grant’s commitment to education and serving his community is unquestionable. He has spent virtually all his life in service to others, be it through his role as an educator or as a dedicated Kiwanian or Scout leader, committed to helping to make other people’s lives better in one way or the other. Earlier this year he was recognized by Ocho Rios Primary, where he served for nearly three decades, with a private function and an appreciation dinner in Ocho Rios.He started his journey in education at the Barracks Road Primary. Montego Bay, St James where he did a brief stint as a pre-trained teacher, before enrolling at the Mico University (Mico College) where he pursued his diploma in teacher education with special focus on Social Studies and Physical Education. When he graduated, he was awarded the prize for being the most innovative and creative teacher and best user of instructional material. His journey in education didn’t take him to many schools. In fact, after he graduated Mico and landed a job at Ocho Rios Primary, he never left until he took early retirement in March 2014, leaving as principal having given 29 years of outstanding service to the development of the school. Mr Grant credits his smooth transition into the classroom and early success with many of his students to the excellent mentorship programme at the school for young educators, something he sought to maintain while he was at the helm.
“Going there as a young teacher, it was a very good school, the mentoring was very good and they had systems in place where you would learn from the senior persons, the staff support was very good,” Mr Grant said of his early years at Ocho Rios Primary where he taught mostly grade 4 students. Mr Grant said his nearly three decades at Ocho Rios Primary and in education has been a very good experience. He says, though there are ills in the system, he would do it all over again.
NEGATIVE SHIFT SYSTEM
“The experience was very good, I enjoyed my job, I really enjoyed it,” he told the North Coast Times during a recent interview where he spoke about his years as the institution including serving as a vice principal before being appointed principal in January 2006. Mr. Grant said during his tenure at the institution, students excelled in a number of areas including academics, sports and extra curricular activities. The school population and the shift system was, however, a major challenge as he was unable to reap the desired results, particularly in some of the national examinations which students are required to sit. Mr Grant explained that the two shift system robs students of valuable teaching and play time as well as time needed for participation in other key school activities.Up to when he was principal, the school population was 2,100. He said managing a ‘big school’ like Ocho Rios Primary can be somewhat challenging. Nonetheless, he said he was able to overcome some of the challenges through team effort. Mr Grant explained that he had a very committed team of teachers and ancillary staff.
Vending at the school, at one point, became a major problem. The retired principal described the vendors as his friends, but explained he had to put measures in place to curtail that activity. He also had problems with the sanitary facilities and other areas of the school plant. He said though that through the support of the PTA, a number of those issues were addressed and under his tenure, Ocho Rios Primary remained an institution of choice for hundreds of parents. He said his students excelled not only in academics but also the performing arts, sports and activities organized through various clubs and societies. He said his students also performed well whenever they competed with other schools in the region in various competitions.
LIFE CHANGER
Under his leadership and through the collaboration of various groups, Mr Grant said there was tremendous growth of the school as various programmes were introduced and existing ones, like the Reading and Computer programmes strengthened. . Mr Grant explained that his years in the classroom and as principal has changed his life in many ways. He said although he wanted to become an accountant or a vet, earlier in his life, he choose teaching because of the impact on his life of one teacher -NellaTerrieo, a senior teacher at Barracks Road Primary.He said God chose teaching for him and he is grateful that he has been able to impact, in a positive way, many lives. Mr Grant said as a teacher and later principal he had to lead by example, motivate his students and staff and show them love. “Sometimes they (students) leave home and they are not motivated, so I try to motivate them,” he added. “Some of these children all they need is someone to show them a little love.”
SERVING COMMUNITY
He said teaching and education has been a tool of upward mobility for him. While at Ocho Rios Primary he was able to achieve his B. Ed (UWI, Mona), Principal’s Diploma (Nova Scotia University Canada) and his Masters in Business Administration (Nova South Eastern University, Florida). Mr Grant’s commitment to serve also runs deep in the community through his involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Ocho Rios where he serves as president, a position he has held before. Through Kiwanis and Kiwanis Foundation, he has been involved in a number of projects and has received numerous accolades for his work and commitment to education and community development. He has also served Kiwanis in various positions including as Lieutenant Governor elect and on various committees. He also works with Kiwanis affiliated clubs at the primary to tertiary level. He is a recipient of the Prime Ministers award for outstanding contribution to education and community development, Jamaica Teachers Association 50th anniversary celebration award for sterling contribution to education and nation building. He was one of 50 recipients who received that award. He was nominated last year for the Butch Stewart Community Service award. Mr Grant is an ardent Christian who worships at the St. Ann’s Bay New Testament Church of God where he is an assistant Sunday school superintendent. He also serves on the youth board. He is married to Audrey Sutherland Grant and they have a son, Jordon. Mr Grant is also an active member of the JTA and served as a vice president for the parish. He also serve the JTA at General Council. “I have received a lot of help so I have to give back to my community,” Mr Grant who is also involved in Boys Scout said of his involvement in the community.
