“By working with the little ones, you get that type of satisfaction that is difficult to put in words. Even their parents do not necessarily enjoy what we as teachers do with them; moulding them at that stage. They are so very receptive and show you that respect and love—they are so innocent! I simply love what I did and I will continue to love it, because it’s part of my lifestyle. I did it with pride—Yes, it meant the world to me.”
By Leon Suseran
The gems among us who have skillfully and purposefully delivered Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Mrs. Glasgow proudly displays her accolades.
are often overlooked. Often referred to as ‘Nursery’ education, it is the ultimate building block, the base as it were, on which a child’s first impressions of life are built, nurtured and developed.
The professionals who guide that little boy or girl through those crucial years are extremely important, since much of the fundamentals that a child would require in his or her life would be during the early years.
Our teachers in the nursery education system work quietly behind the scenes, as oftentimes when we talk about teaching and education, our minds race to the secondary and, to a lesser extent, the primary education system. The remarkable contributions of a humble and caring lady from Manchester, Corentyne cannot be overlooked, since she made an indelible mark in the lives of little children, for 38 years!
This week’s ‘Special Person’ has been duly recognised with several accolades and awards. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club awarded her ‘Teacher of the Year’ in 2013 for ‘Being Outstanding Educator and Positive Role Model’. In Recognition of Hard Work and Commitment as a Leader in the Education System, the Department of Education, Region Six, presented her with a crystal plaque, while she also received a trophy last November from the Staff of Alness Nursery, for the decades of service in the Early Childhood Programme.
Because of the aforementioned we considered Claudette Glasgow worthy of being featured, and I sat down for a question and answer session with the affable educator, who in the process revealed what those many years have meant to her.
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Our ‘Special Person’ sitting and flanked by staff of Alness Nursery during her birthday celebrations, which coincided with her retirement last December.
Leon Suseran (LS): Tell me about Claudette Glasgow. There obviously was a beginning. How was that period for her?
Claudette Glasgow (CG): I was born on December 11, 1959, to two wonderful people, Alberta Christian, a very proud, hardworking and dedicated housewife and my father, Vincent Christian—he was a carpenter. They have passed on, but I must recognise that they were very much instrumental in getting their children well educated, and being one of the eldest, they encouraged me so much throughout my school life.
LS: What about your childhood days? Was there much time for frolic and fun?
CG: Well I grew up in Alness—very playful. I would role play the teachers. The chairs, tables, posts—everybody getting licks. I was also a part of my parents’ rice- farming activities. I visited the rice fields, to prepare the lands; sow the seeds, open the water. I planted,
Overseeing ‘Culture Day’ with the little ones at Bloomfield Nursery
cut—I went through all the stages.
I attended St. Mark’s Anglican School, which was a church-school, and there, I had most of my education. I did my Preliminary Certificate and College of Preceptors (CP).
LS: Did you enjoy your school days?
CG: Yes, I did. I had lots of favourite teachers and they loved me so much, maybe it was because of dedication to my schoolwork. I can never forget Mr. Oscar Drepaul—he taught me most of my form days.
LS: What impression did he leave on you?
CG: Well, he encouraged me a lot to start teaching, and so I did at age 16!
LS: At 16?
CG: Yes, I served as a pupil teacher at my old school, St. Mark’s Anglican, which today is known
Mrs. Glasgow receiving a plaque from Education Officer, Mrs. Bhagmattie La Cruz during her retirement appreciation function held by the Department of Education – Region Six, last October
as Alness Primary.
LS: So you were quite a young teacher. What was it like entering a classroom as a teenager?
CG: At first I felt significantly challenged, but I overcame it very quickly due to the encouragement of the wonderful staff. I taught the SSPE and Common Entrance class. God was with me and I did it.
LS: You did it? What exactly do you mean by that?
CG: When the results came out, most of my students were successful. You can imagine what that meant to a young tutor. Admittedly their success came about as a result of extra lessons. I told them in no uncertain terms that I would wholly dedicate myself to them. I’m proud that today, many of them are in teaching and other noble professions.
LS: You later completed your GCE and Advanced Computing classes. How did that impact on your career?
CG: I was of course more qualified and taught for another two years after which I went on to commence teacher- training in New Amsterdam. I worked at Whim Nursery for some time and while I was there, I attended Teachers’ Training College.
LS: Of course your teaching career is the primary focus of our conversation. It would be nice to share with our readers what the genesis was for you stellar career?
CG: Stellar career! I just see myself as a humble servant, but I know how people feel about those who have given most of their lives in any given area, and I respect that. It was early in September 1990 that I was appointed Headteacher at Bloomfield Nursery—the youngest headteacher in Region Six.
LS: What was teaching there like?
CG: I’ll be brutally honest. That school was like a dilapidated rum-shop.
LS: So, it’s safe to say you were a bit uncomfortable and wanted change?
CG: Yes. It was alarming to say the least. I got the teachers together to help me find a better place. We found a building at Letter Kenny (neighbouring village), and that was another dilapidated place, but much better… with space.
LS: I sense you were still not comfortable.
CG: No, so we agreed to turn that consumer shop into a school.
LS: What did you do?
CG: Simple, but I would say effective things. We placed vinolay on the floor, and repainted the place and so on. The environment became significantly more acceptable and conducive for teaching, but more importantly, learning
LS: But knowing the educator you are, you still would have wanted a better working environment.
CG: We applied to every funding agency we heard of.
LS: To rehabilitate the building?
CG: For a brand new school.
LS: And if memory serves me correctly, the Region Six Administration granted you land at another location. Isn’t that so?
CG: Yes, and a Trinidad- based funding agency turned up one day and the project commenced. I was asked to assist with the design. That was much appreciated.
LS: So work commenced on a brand new building. When was it completed?
CG: On March 19, 1999, the new Bloomfield Nursery School was commissioned, by then Regional Chairman, Mr. Rohit Persaud.
LS: What a feeling that must have been. I’m sure the memories are endless.
CG: It was the most wonderful experience of my life, because I was so involved in it; instrumental in getting it done. It was one of my greatest successes in my teaching career. I wonder if any teacher would take on that responsibility now. I served there until 2013.
LS: You retired?
GG: No, I decided to return home to Manchester, to give back to my community, to Alness Nursery, where I retired last December.
LS: I guess your colleagues at Bloomfield felt sad to see you leave after so many years.
CG: I believe they were as moved as I was. There was great camaraderie. We were like a family. It’s difficult to leave situations where you appreciate one another. I worked with Ms. Jasmattie Jaipersaud…she started out with me and was very influential in my life. And how can I ever forget Odessa Providence, Radica Beharry, Kamlawattie Punwa, Fiona Thom, Devicka Somai, Allison Hazel—they all worked along with me. They were my girls!
LS: Your entire teaching career was spent moulding the younger minds…working with little children. I’m sure there are particularly fond memories for you in nursery education. Am I correct?
CG: Yes, you certainly are. By working with the little ones, you get that type of satisfaction that is difficult to put in words. Even their parents do not necessarily enjoy what we as teachers do with them; moulding them at that stage. They are so very receptive and show you that respect and love—they are so innocent! I simply love what I did and I will continue to love it, because it’s part of my lifestyle. I did it with pride—Yes, it meant the world to me.
LS: What in your opinion is so important about the nursery level?
CG: Well, that is where concepts and skills are formed and the little ones are like sponges. They absorb every little bit of knowledge that comes their way. The teachers at that stage have to be able to identify with the children, because, as we know, it’s from birth to seven (years), certain basic concepts have to be grasped. At that level, they do Science, Social Studies—they do all of the subject areas, but through constructive play, and with much supervision from the teachers.
LS: Some do not believe it is that important. What say you?
CG: Not important! If the children miss that stage, they are essentially left stranded, and may just ‘pass through’ the system. Fortunately, the teachers know that all too well, and as a result, give their all.
LS: In your opinion, what makes a good nursery school teacher?
CG: From what I have personally experienced, you have to be a good role model, and have lots of patience…tolerance, and you have to have love for children, with no bias. I don’t really want to elaborate. Education should have no politics in it, because anytime you are in a profession and you are ‘political’, so to speak, it is a problem.
LS: One has to leave the politics at home, right?
CG: Yes, you take no stand; you just teach.
LS: Looking back, do you have regrets?
CG: None at all. Teaching was really my calling – I love it. My parents had not the opportunity at an education, so they ensured they gave me the support and chance…so that I was able to be successful.
LS: Tell me about the send- off you had last December after being in the nursery sector for 38 years.
CG: Well, not only the school had a celebratory function; the cluster (of schools) had a function. My children had a function and so on. It was very nice.
LS: So how are you spending the retirement days?
CG: I grew up in church, and have always been into my church life, so I find more time to dedicate to church-related work. I am a Lay Minister-in-Training at St. Mark’s Anglican Church and also part of the Mothers’ Union.
LS: Do you keep in touch with Bloomfield Nursery?
CG: Yes, I do. How could I not keep in touch? My granddaughter attends that school. And now that I have some more time on my hands, I am encouraging the women, and even the men-folk to be more involved with their children. Work with their children and also the children in the community, so together, we can make a difference.
LS: Are you concerned about the moral breakdown of our society, particularly with respect to the family?
CG: Yes, I am very concerned. Morality and basic discipline are lacking. There are too many young parents, many of them not knowing better and not wanting to take advice. I would recommend that even in the schools—in the Secondary schools—that they do more family planning, for instance, so there would be less teenage pregnancy. The churches, too, can assist to nurture the mothers and fathers out there. The society suffers as a result of such neglect or indifference. On that note, I must say that I am ever grateful to my husband, Theophilus Glasgow, for always standing by my side through the thick and thin in life. It has been so important for our three children, Julian, Sonia, and Jermaine.
LS: I thank you for giving of your precious time, Mrs. Glasgow.
CG: It’s been a pleasure.