Denham Town High School presented a retirement banquet for four teachers. From left are Sybil Lawrence, Millicent Welam, Danold Hossack and Muriel Bucknall. The function was held at the Knutsford Court Hotel, Ruthven Road, recently. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Sybil Lawrence, a graceful and soft-spoken woman, seems unaffected by suggestions that she is in any way extraordinary. This humility does no justice to her 42 years of service in education, most of which were at the Denham Town High School where she was recently recognised for her outstanding contribution to the school and for her role in education.

Lawrence grew up in St Mary, attending Hillside All-Age School, and went to Tarrant High School before moving to Alexandria High School in St Ann.

It was here that she was encouraged to be a teacher. She had aimed to be a broadcaster, but her principal, seeing early signs, told her that she had the potential to be a good teacher. Lawrence enrolled in Mico Teachers' College, and studied at the Jamaica School of Arts before finding her place at Denham Town High School, where she worked tirelessly as an educator for the next 31 years.

Responsible for students

"Teachers are extremely responsible for their students," she explained, pointing to several occasions where she had to step beyond her role as a teacher for her students.

"You have to turn mother, lawyer, doctor," she said, laughing, before telling the story of how she sometimes had to provide books, clothes or lunch for those she taught. "You really have to have an interest in these children, and put your whole self into it. That's the only way this job is satisfying."

She does not, however, downplay the role of parents. In the past, she imagines things were easier because of the proactive role parents and, indeed, the community played in raising children. "Now," she laments, "the whole culture has changed."

"You'll find some of these inner-city kids are brilliant, and they'll thrive in my class with attention, but as soon as they leave, they get lost in the system."

She maintains that these children are worth the effort and are, in fact, the most rewarding part of the job. "You'll meet these kids, and they'll be hard to settle and hard to make work, but once you do, they become the top students and that is where the most rewarding part of the job is."

Lawrence didn't see what is perceived as a, sometimes, violent environment as a deterrent, recalling walking up North Street and Orange Street to run errands. "You know, we had our problems, passed through curfews and things, and it was at times risky with the violence. But the community, they really protected the teachers, everyone knew you were a teacher. I never felt unsafe."

Her approach

Lawrence's connection to her students and their community seems unusually strong, perhaps because of her approach to her job.

"You have to nurture, encourage, love these children," she said, adding: "And they can't be afraid. My students were not afraid of me."

Building a rapport with the students and trust take effort, with Lawrence often going the extra mile, occasionally visiting children in their homes.

"You build a relationship with them to the point that they'll talk about anything. I found the students I taught to be very loving."

Lawrence is still in contact with several of her past students, some abroad and some still living in Jamaica.

As for the current raging debate about the state of Jamaica's education, Lawrence agrees that some teachers may not be fully committed to the job.

"Some view the profession as a stepping stone, and never really involve themselves. There is no satisfaction this way."

She does not presume to tell other teachers how to do their job, but asks that parents and teachers believe in the children and attempt to create for them, the best environment possible in their circumstances, despite the challenges.

When asked if, considering her experiences, she would choose to be a teacher again, Lawrence smiled, looking as though there could only be one answer.

"Of course," she said without hesitation. "Of course, I would. For me, teaching was very rewarding."