BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
It was in August last year that Catherine Montgomery, from Maguiresbridge travelled to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to begin a year of missionary work as a languages teacher in St Martin's Secondary School in its capital, Kingstown.
She found out about the post from a newspaper article publicising the acute need for qualified teachers to help in St Martin's. Catherine is back in Fermanagh now, with plans to return next month for a second year.
"I was very fortunate', she told the 'Herald', " to find 100% support from my own Principal in Thornhill, Mrs Sarah Kelly, and I was permitted to take a career break.
"My first 3 months in St Vincent were full of excitement, new experiences, both easy and difficult, and a lot of very hot weather! My work in school proved to be challenging but extremely rewarding".
She quickly discovered a number of alien features: class sizes ranging from 31 to 40 students, resources extremely limited, a lot of staff not trained as teachers who, quite often, begin their work in school after having just finished their A-levels.
"Very often', she explained, " teaching is seen as a job to do until a scholarship can be obtained to enable study at university".
However, there were bonuses along the way: " I found that the boys responded positively to the classroom management I attempted to implement in my classroom. They come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are living with and being cared for by grandparents, aunts, cousins and, sometimes even older brothers or sisters. (Fathers and, quite often, mothers are working away from home and, in addition, there are a lot of absentee fathers and, single parent families).
"The majority understand the importance of education for their future but, with the pressures of everyday life, they often find it difficult to maintain a consistent effort in their work. Quite often, their home situation is not conducive to work and study. This means that their time in the classroom is even more important.
"Money is in short supply for these children and their families. Many find it difficult to pay the fees for St Martin's but, they insist on trying because they want their children to get a good education". The basic fee is around $150EC, about £30 per term. A feeding programme has been set up in the school to provide lunch for children who are most in need.
In an attempt to encourage students to complete work outside of school, Catherine set up a Homework Club. It operates two afternoons per week and allows students to stay in school to complete homework, projects and study in a supervised and stable environment.
Results followed: "As I look back on this academic year, I can see a major change among the classes I teach. The boys interact more freely and more positively with me. They enjoy learning French and Spanish and greet me in the languages when they meet me both in school and in town'.
In February, the school took part in a languages exhibition organised by the Department of Education and the new Modern Languages Association. Her pupils prepared display material for the exhibition and presented their work at their own stall at the event.
"This was the first time they had ever been involved in such an occasion and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Many people commented on how interested and well behaved they were, something they were not accustomed to hearing".
As well as teaching, Catherine was Form Teacher to a 1st form class in this, her first year, and it's an experience she will treasure.
" I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the boys' progress in their first year in the school. I have built up a very positive relationship with my students. A year is not a very long time, so I decided I would like an opportunity to continue working with the boys in St Martin's.
"Every time I take a lesson or interact with a student in the school I feel enthused, motivated and fulfilled. It is a difficult feeling to describe but it is one that I am sure I want to continue to experience".
Yet again, she has been fortunate enough to obtain a second year to her career break.
"I have Thornhill to thank for that and I am extremely grateful. The boys did begin to ask if I would stay for longer than one year. When I asked them why I might stay, one replied, 'Because, Miss, you care about us.' All these children need is someone to take a little time just to 'care'.
"This year has been one of the most challenging I have ever experienced. It has also been one of the most fulfilling years I have had to date. It has been fantastic to be able to concentrate on my teaching in the classroom and to see how something as simple as spending time with these children has had such an impact on their lives".
Naturally, Catherine is happy to be at home for the Summer and enjoying seeing everyone again. But, she is also missing the boys of St Martin's and is looking forward to working with them for another year. From this September, she hopes to spend some time working with other staff members to provide some training and introduce some more music to the school – perhaps some tin whistle lessons (if I can find enough instruments!).
In return for some cricket lessons, her boys have told her they would like some Irish dancing;
" Financially speaking, I am not able to give much, but time is something I can offer in abundance. If even one child is able to say, 'Miss Montgomery cared about me', then my time in SVG will have been more than worthwhile.
"As the poem says:
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
