Melony C. Dawes | St. Thomas-St. John District Teacher of the Year Candidate
11th Grade English
Charlotte Amalie High School
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me’.”-Chadwick Boseman. This quotation resonates with me because God has bestowed upon me one major talent: teaching. I was born to teach; I was called to teach. I have spent the greater portion of my life blessing others with my talent/gift. Ever since I was six years old, I would gather my dolls and teddy-bears, assign each one a seat on my bed and I would “teach” them for hours without stopping my “lesson” until I was satisfied that they had “learnt”. My parents saw from childhood that I was destined to become a teacher. Daddy fed my passion by bringing storybooks home when he traveled to various countries, and whatever I read, I taught my “students”. Mommy supported me by allowing me to break her prized figurines, so that I could get the chalk from them to write on my blackboard (bedroom door).
My primary school teachers were instrumental in deepening my passion for education, and as such, paving the way for me to become an educator. I’d look at my teachers in awe; in my eyes, they were next to God Himself. They were super-heroes who had the power to shape futures and I told myself I would follow in their footsteps. In almost every Jamaican primary school in my formative years, we would recite a saying/proverb: “Labor for learning before you grow old; for learning is better than silver or gold. Silver and gold will vanish away, but a good education will never decay.” Even as an adult, these words are still engraved in my memory. It fostered my appreciation for learning and I purposed in my heart that I would become a teacher because it was instilled in us that “Education is the vehicle out of poverty”, and I was determined to become one of the “bus-drivers”.
My greatest accomplishment in education can be summed up in one word: relationships. I have a genuine love for young people and humanity in general. This bond goes beyond the physical classroom; it transcends what the human mind can fathom. It’s not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about connecting spirits and uniting souls for a lifetime. I am very proud of the relationships that I have maintained over the last nineteen years with my former students in Jamaica and the USVI. Nothing gives me greater joy than receiving invitations to weddings, baby showers, birthday parties and other milestones. It’s a blessing to be remembered and invited to share these priceless moments. As a Jamaican, I am especially pleased to know that I have assimilated into a new society. I have been able to embrace a new culture, while still being able to share aspects of mine.
Secondly, I have inspired countless students to join the noblest profession: teaching. I am eccentric, creative & passionate about my craft. My innovativeness has helped young people to unearth their hidden talents and carve a niche for themselves in society. I am elated when I can order personalized masks from those who have become designers, take pictures in the products and share them on social media to help these young entrepreneurs boost their sales. I am appreciative when the love I have given comes back to me in various forms. On one occasion, a former student who works at the airport called me to say she recognized my mother on the flight and offered care, assistance and attention when she really needed it. Money cannot buy a blessing of that magnitude. When young men who were deemed “at risk” can stop by my classroom years later to introduce their significant others to me and share their success stories in the workforce or entrepreneurial endeavors, I reflect on my personal struggles and sacrifices, and rest assured that it was all worth it.
Essentially, my greatest contribution to education is a legacy of love and compassion. And as I reflect on my opening statement, I could confidently tell God that I have used every talent he has given to me to enrich my profession, heal the brokenhearted, give guidance to young people and provide renewed hope to parents who had almost given up on their children. I am an educator and I affect eternity.
