Two teachers – with more than 66 years in the profession between them – retired recently. Their last appointments were at Mucurapo Girls' RC and it was this school which hosted a thanksgiving Mass for them on Wednesday, June 29 at St Mary's RC Church, St James.

The new retirees are Bernadette Salandy and Ann Diaz.

Bernadette Salandy began her teaching career in 1972 at the Tunapuna Girls' RC School, after which she taught for a while at Newtown Girls' RC School. She entered the Government Teachers' College in 1976 and, upon graduating in 1978, she accepted a post as Teacher I at Mucurapo Girls' RC School.

Pupils of Mucurapo Girls' RC School bid farewell to teacher Bernadette Salandy.

In delivering a tribute to Miss Salandy, Lydia Millet said: “This institution was immediately blessed on that day when she walked through our gate and into the lives of hundreds of successful women and young girls whose lives she has changed forever.”

Miss Salandy has always recognised the value of a balanced life-style.

“Although deeply devoted to serving God, working with the Catholic News and participating in numerous liturgical seminars and conferences, she still finds the time, being an avid cricket fan, to take in a game, or listen to some scintillating pan or calypso and, on the odd occasion, a ‘lil' party here and there with a friend,” said Millet.

But she will be remembered most as a true teacher – “a teacher of indefatigable energy who has devoted her life to opening minds and creating positive change in those who were fortunate to have been tutored by her”.

Millet added: “No child was ever left wanting. She was always willing to embrace new approaches and concepts to learning and this was clearly evident when, in 1999, she accepted the challenge of taking a class from Standard 3 all the way to SEA.

Miss Salandy restructured the syllabus to suit the needs of her pupils and the result was a resounding success. The year 2002 will be an unforgettable one when 98 per cent of the class passed their exam for their first choice schools. The elation and jubilation were deafening that day as screams of delight and joy rang through the corridors.”

But apart from academic instruction, lessons in spirituality and morality and on being a productive citizen formed an integral part of a day's work, as Miss Salandy sought to mould the whole child.

Millet concluded: “Miss Salandy has dedicated her life to ensuring that the opportunity exists to afford our children a brighter future through sound education. To those whose lives she has touched, we know she has done a magnificent job, having permanently etched into their minds principles, ambition, the virtues of struggle and determination and all the good things that hard work can accomplish.”

Ann Diaz, meanwhile, made her decision to become a teacher after leaving St James Secondary School in 1967. She taught at Paramin RC, La Seiva RC and Eastern Boys. These were all temporary appointments.

In 1969, Mrs Diaz obtained a scholarship to enter Mausica Teachers' College. There, she was trained as an educator in primary education. After obtaining her teacher's diploma, she graduated in 1971.

Anne Diaz at St Mary's RC Church, St James, where a thanksgiving Mass was held for her and Bernadette Salandy to mark their retirement from the teaching profession.

Her first appointment was at La Seiva RC (1971-1975).  From September 1975 to August 1977, Mrs Diaz taught at La Filette RC. She joined the staff at Mucurapo Girls' RC in September 1977.

“Her coming was truly an asset to our school,” said Ms McQueen, who delivered a tribute to her at the retirement function.

Mrs Diaz taught in the infant, junior and senior sections of the school. “She functioned competently and admirably wherever she taught. Ann always sought to inculcate the right values and morals in all students. She would always stop and take the time to correct any student who was straying from the right path,” McQueen said.

She attended many workshops and several Inter-American Development Bank courses offered by the government, and shared her knowledge and skills with other members of staff.

Mrs Diaz had brilliant and novel ideas for the school's Carnival Ole Mas Band Competition. She also got calypsonians to visit the school and share their talents with the students.

She was also involved in Brownies, and ensured that Mucurapo Girls' School was well represented at the annual Corpus Christi procession. McQueen said: “Her undying love for her Saviour is the driving force of her life. This is evident in her faithful attendance at Mass, retreats, processions and other Church activities.”

Mrs Diaz was always patient and very helpful in dealing with slow learners and pupils who were unable to read well.

“Parents would sometimes remark that their daughters showed great improvement when Mrs Diaz assisted them on afternoons. Hence, Mrs Diaz was recommended by other teachers when children needed remedial teaching.”

She always made checks on her past students and enquired about their academic progress and behaviour.

“Ann was dedicated, committed, reliable and very hard working; a very simple, humble and unassuming individual, short in height but very tall in stature -- a good role model for other teachers and pupils to emulate.”

Millet and McQueen each ended their tributes by thanking the retiring teachers for their dedicated service and wishing them God's blessings.