Happy Teachers Day 2021

It’s Teacher’s Day and across the country, educators are being recognized for the many roles they play in the classroom. They are also being thanked for persevering during a very difficult academic year. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Arlette Mossiah, Teacher, Belize Rural Primary School

Arlette Mossiah

“I am a teacher for over twenty years; seven years in a private school and thirteen plus years in the government school. I entered teaching because I love teaching, I love children.”

Samuel Nicholson

Samuel Nicholson, Teacher, EP Yorke High School

“When I was younger, I could honestly say that I did not want to be a teacher. There were a lot of professions that I wanted to be. I wanted to become a fireman. I remember wanting to become a pilot; I remember wanting to become a dentist. I remember also wanting to become a gynaecologist. But when I went studying, I realised that teacher is something that came natural to me.”

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Their paths to becoming teachers may vary, but all Belizean teachers had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic which drastically has changed the way teachers worked with their students. Despite the obstacles, educating the younger generation remains a shared priority.

Arlette Mossiah

“We had to set our seating three feet apart and make sure that they are not interacting with each other. So for that, it is going to be rough for us when we actually get back in.”

Samuel Nicholson

“For students I would want to tell them just go for your dreams – aim high, aim big; the sky is he limit. Whatever, you want to do, you can. As long as you push yourself, the dream is yours. You can make any dream a reality as long as you believe.”

Students sent greetings to their teachers.

[Students Greetings]

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The theme for this year’s Teachers Day is “Reimagining the Future: Education, Community and Wellness.”