WITH THE recent uproar over the grading of schools based on some subjects passed in the 2003 CXC examinations I went down memory lane and recalled my two years teaching at Morant Bay High School with fondness and gratitude for what was accomplished. I was a pre-trained teacher of Mathematics from 1979-81, teaching mainly first, second and third-formers. I was also a form teacher for a first form in my second year, a responsibility I enjoyed just as much as teaching maths.

EXPERIENCE

Based on my experience, it is a myth to claim that girls cannot master mathematics. Though I had good male students such as David Banton and Carlton Hay, my recollection was that there were far more girls who did well in Mathematics. There was Charmaine Wilson, Maxine Osbourne, Charmaine Thompson and Dawn Douglas, Karlene Fletcher and Janet Bailey, among others. Many girls performed at a very high standard and most at an acceptable standard.

In addition, it was very satisfying to observe the progress made by my first-formers in all subjects. One of the things I did was that I met with every student in my form and talked to him or her about his/her performance and agreed on what was achievable and how to attain the new target. In addition, incentives were offered for improvement rather than absolute performance, based on the recognition that persons have different abilities.

The crowning moment of my brief teaching career was when the principal told me at the end of the year that it was the best performance by a first form that he had witnessed in the history of the school. I know that he meant it because, the decision was made to stream the second-formers based on performance. I opposed it. From what I had seen happen with the students in my class, it was evident that students with varying abilities could work together and all perform well. The principal heeded my plea and the second form was not streamed.

DEFENCE

I think that has changed now. I dearly loved my form and I remember defending their cause against an examination paper that was designed by another teacher. I was disappointed with some questions, which I found faulty and brought the matter to the attention of the teacher. The teacher put me in my place and told me that I had not even been to teachers' college! Nevertheless, I think that the professionalism within the Mathematics Department helped the mathematics teachers to impart knowledge.

The head of the department, a Jew named Arnie Neiderhoffer, would scrutinise the lesson plans for content and methodology; every teacher supported each other and the camaraderie was great, making the experience fun working with teachers such as Sandra Blount, Cardovan Jackson and Marcia Haughton; the latter two, not surprisingly, are now principals of schools. We all loved to teach maths and we tried to arouse the students to be interested in the subject. Teaching was, however, not confined to academics. There were talks about the 'facts of life' and life in general.

There was also time for extra-curricular activities. First-formers were encouraged to write and perform plays and to compete for the Franklyn McKnight Cup in the Inter-First Form Quiz Competition. Additionally, third-formers had their opportunity to build character, confidence and communication skills as they talked their way to winning the Inter Third-Form Debating competition. Initiating these activities, and seeing them help students, was a most satisfying reward for me. Furthermore, as a teenager teacher, I expected and got good discipline from students. I would not start a class until the blackboard and floor were clean. It was also known that two persons couldn't speak at the same time.

MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT

However, my most embarrassing teaching moment was when I stood at the blackboard, at first, full of confidence and empty of adequate preparation, trying to solve a problem in 'New Maths' and I could not solve it. I was the product of good maths teachers such as Mr. Thompson of blessed memory and Pat Reid, now Waugh, who made maths fun and who were quite knowledgeable. However, I never did New Maths before and I did not do my homework in order to teach the class binary numbers and I made a fool of myself and gave my class the wrong principles.

The following day I had to make amends. I was also embarrassed and shocked when I received a cheque of $275 for a month's work. However, looking back, I would not have traded that experience for a million dollars a month. I hope that teachers and students in our secondary school system could have a fulfilling experience in the classroom with both performing to the best of their abilities.

The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.