By Rawdica Stephen. Updated 6:41 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
What began as a roller-coaster journey for Dwayneth Richards turned out to be a sweet ride, as she was named valedictorian of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College – SVGCC Division of Teacher Education DTE at Tuesday’s graduation ceremony.
Richards says “the past two years at the DTE have been some of the best years in my life” noting that the institution “looked at the holistic development of the individual by creating a balance of socialization and collaboration in different ways that made the journey less daunting”.
The Campden Park resident says she is ready to use the skills gained during her course of study at the DTE and she hopes to foster more inclusive learning in the classroom.
A total of 691 students graduated from the four divisions of the SVGCC on June 25, in an amalgamated graduation ceremony at Victoria Park, Kingstown. The other divisions include the Division of Technical and Vocational Education (DTVE), the Division of Nursing Education (DNE), and the Division of Arts, Sciences, and General Studies (DASG).
Richards who began her teaching career in 2017 and taught English at the Bethel High School, says her quest to obtain an associate degree in teacher education began when her CSEC students received quality passes while she had no teacher training. This she says propelled her to become better equipped to gain more knowledge, skills and tools required to reach more students at various levels.
She further stated that the material received during her studies has met her personal needs as well as those of her students. It is her hope that the future of education holds the promise of a more inclusive learning experience, driven by technological advancements and innovative teaching methods. “I see the hope that these changes integrated into education will better prepare students for the complexities of the rapidly evolving society that we live in”.
Richards added that Technology plays a crucial role in the modern education system by enhancing access to information and facilitating interactive learning. “In the years to come I can see technology being used to create more immersive and personalized learning experiences for students, in addition to allowing stakeholders to keep track of students’ progress more effectively”.
The DTE valedictorian also outlined student’s attitude towards their work, the need to address diverse learning needs and the large class numbers as some of the biggest challenges facing educators, which often hinder effective teaching and student engagement. She says “It is my intention to keep lessons as engaging as possible for students while trying different strategies that can help cater to their individual needs”.
She is encouraging aspiring teachers to manage their time wisely, collaborate with others, and remain positive even when it seems impossible.
Richards is planning to further studies and to continue to teach with the same dedication and passion that she began with, by employing the new strategies learnt. This she says will be done in hopes to “inspire and shape the future leaders of our nation by giving them the best for them to be successful on their academic journey.
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