On Thursday, October 5, the annual convention of The Catholic Teachers’ Association was held at Centre Point Mall, Chaguanas, with the theme: Catholic Teachers: Models for our Youth.

The convention began at 8.30 a.m. with registration which was followed by a Mass in the auditorium. Archbishop Gilbert was the chief celebrant. The Southern Catholic Teachers’ Choir led the singing for the Mass, which had a large congregation.

The formal opening of the convention took place after Mass and included a welcome address by chairperson Glenda Augustus, remarks by president of the Catholic Teachers Association, Saheed Khan, and the official opening address by Ministry of Education representative, Margaret Barker Caesar, and welcoming remarks by the president of Catholic Teachers’ Association, Saheed Khan.

Before the keynote address by Sister Julie Peters, Sylvia Francis put the gathering in a jovial mood with a hymn performed on the steelpan.

The highlight of the day, however, was the address given by Sr Julie. She focused on the treatment of children in the classroom, emphasising the need for teachers to employ charity, patience and compassion in dealing with children.

She told the audience of secondary and primary school teachers that, as Catholic teachers, they must focus on helping students achieve both religious and academic fulfilment in their classrooms and schools.

Collin Chambers entertains the convention participants. In foreground is Norma St Rose of the CEBM

From left: Sr Julie Peters, Margaret Barker Caesar, Archbishop Edward Gilbert and Mennen Walker-Briggs

Sr Julie said teachers need to “model” the qualities they would like their students to have. Using information collected from workshops at schools throughout the country, she gave many examples of teachers treating students unfairly, concluding, “When we model commitment, diligence and fairness students will do the same”. She said, “A class is free when a child is free to talk to his/her teacher; when a child knows that the teacher is on their side, that is a safe classroom.”

Sr Julie asked the teachers to focus on four key areas, in the classrooms: Curriculum, Interaction, Motivation and Administrative Intervention. Covering these areas, she said, would lay the groundwork for linking religion and education.

Sr Julie stressed that teaching was not a job but a vocation, saying that the teaching should come from a place of faith. She added that teachers did not just impart information, but played a key role in transforming lives and forming individuals.

 In closing, she said it was a continuous task to merge these roles and that only through building relationships can this be done.

The next speaker Mennen Walker-Briggs, of the Catholic Education Board of Management (CEBM), spoke about some of the challenges faced by teachers in Catholic schools.

She also talked about the Constitution and the rights of the teacher within the education system. Referring to the Education Act, she noted that teachers, principals and all others involved in education should have a copy. Mrs Walker-Briggs ended her address with a quotation from the Bible stating that “God… appointed teachers” and that it was an awe-filled responsibility.

Other speakers included representatives of T&TUTA, the National PTA, and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

The speeches were followed by another cultural item. This time Collin Chambers played a beautiful piece on the saxophone, which had people crooning and swaying. The convention ended with the presentation of awards and citations.

While most people left after the awards ceremony, some stayed to share lunch and close a wonderful day.