Stanley Haughton went to school late in life and has spent the most of his life in school, teaching and bringing up other people’s children.
With over thirty-six years of sterling service in the education sector, Stanley Haughton has contributed immensely to the development of the education system at Ocho Rios High School in St. Ann where he served for 25 years.
There he taught Mathematics, Spanish and Music at various stages of his tenure and assumed several leadership roles.
During his time as a teacher, he found the time to operate his car as a taxi and since retiring in 2010, he works with JUTA Tour as a taxi operator. “I love to meet people and this new job allows me to be intimate with the tourists and learn from them,” he explained.
OVERCOMING RIDICULE
Born in Camberwell, St. Mary, Stanley Haughton never wanted to become a teacher, but a dentist and at one point wanted to become either a police or soldier.
However, his mother, Susan Haughton, who was a devoted and committed Seventh Day Adventist colporteur, (seller of books), did not like the idea.
It was never easy though for him, because he faced ridicule and was teased by other students as he started school at a late age and was always much older than those in his class.
“I had a late start in school; even my teachers were younger than I was. I was ridiculed and called names by students because of my age in school…” But that didn’t stop his drive to fulfill his potential. He attended school at the then West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University) in Mandeville.
“I started out as an industrial student where I worked full time to earn enough money to go to high school.” explained Mr. Haughton. He later left West Indies College and went on to Port Maria High in St. Mary and Willodene High in St. Catherine.
Mr. Haughton credits his mother for her encouragement, support from teachers and his continuous prayers to God as tools that he used to overcome the ridicule he faced as he walked the road to success.
He thinks the opportunities offered to late starters or “overage” students by West Indies College are needed today. “I wish we had more schools like that today, because thousands of people got help there and it helped me to gain my own start in life,” explained Mr. Haughton.
EDUCATION JOURNEY
Before he started teaching at Ocho Rios High School, Stanley Haughton taught at several schools. He started out as a pre-trained teacher at Pear Tree Grove All Age in St. Catherine and Orangefield Primary School in St. Catherine. In 1976, he entered Moneague Teacher’s College and graduated with his trained teacher’s certificate. He taught at Ocho Rios Primary School and Richmond Secondary School in St. Mary before his twenty-five year association with Ocho Rios High School started in 1981. “I went there to teach agricultural science, but that did not work out… I taught mathematics and Spanish initially and then it was mathematics and music. Then in the later years it was mainly music…” he explained.
Mr. Haughton reflected on the days when Ocho Rios High had several disciplinary problems. “There was a great effort by all stakeholders of the school; the teachers, principal, parents and even the students. There was a lot of effort into helping to change their background… Children now take pride in the school and Ocho Rios High is a school of choice by many parents and students today,” he explained.
He also credited former principal, Monica McIntyre for implementing a system where form teachers and teachers transitioned with the students from each grade.
Mr. Haughton noted that several of his past students respected him and he is equally proud of them when they are successful in their careers. “You have to respect the students and they will respect you,” he explained to The Times.
His education successes have not gone unrecognized. In July, 2009, he was presented with the Golden Torch Award from the Jamaica Teacher’s Association for 36 years of dedicated service to education. He was also honoured just recently by Ocho Rios High School at a retirees’ banquet on Saturday, October 24.
Mr. Haughton has also supplemented his teaching qualification with a diploma in Supervisory Management from the Institute of Management Production (IMP).
LIFE AWAY FROM EDUCATION
Stanley Haughton now enjoys retirement with his wife Euline Haughton, who is a retired teacher from the Ocho Rios Primary School. Together, they have two sons; Stan-Rick and Jevon Haughton. His son, Jevon, is following in his footsteps as he is studying at Mico University College.
He is a member of Ocho Rios Seventh Day Adventist church and a member of the Optimist Club of Jamaica, Ocho Rios chapter. He was also a former member of the Ocho Rios chorale.
Mr. Haughton also enjoys singing and playing various musical instruments. “I want to thank my family, former principals, colleagues and the business community for their support and contribution to make my journey a reality. I also want to thank God and emphasize the importance He has had in my life. It is his kindness that has allowed me to soar to the highest heights,” he said.
