talkswithtia

Making my official debut into a career centred on children and education with a summer camp field trip to a friend’s farm in Linstead in … 1997!

Almost 3 decades later, I’m still here amidst the myriad of changes in a space and sector I call home ❤️🚸📖🤸🏽‍♀️⭐️

By the way, are you following my substack? Click the link in my bio.

The journey from ring game to touch screen tells the story of a changing childhood.

Today for International Day of Play, I advocate for making room for children to play … outdoors, in safe & green spaces where possible because in doing so we protect development, well-being, culture & community.



Follow me on substack & read my article on Play.

Some schools have an energy that is unmatched.

Port Royal Primary & Infant is one such school.

My last visit was the day after the Brain Builder Centre had a massive fire and things were a bit chaotic. Regardless, what impressed me then and what impressed me today was that willingness perhaps easily described as a sort of commitment to the success and development of the school and its children.

It was such a joy to hand over the 40th in a school to Port Royal. In fact I stayed a lot longer than I had anticipated.

To the Principal and tram, THANK YOU for all you do and let’s show what sustained success looks like.

Once you’re a teacher, you’re forever a part of my crew and love will always be right here.

Janine (left) and Renee (right) both taught at around the same time, maybe 10 years or more ago.

It was so good seeing them yesterday. Janine doing her thing and sharing with parents at the Sligoville Primary School as coordinated by Renee, the school’s Guidance Counsellor.

Some days I miss my old team. Renee, Janine and so many others.
Today is one of those days. To say they didn’t stress me would be a lie but to say they weren’t good and that I didn’t enjoy working with them would also be untrue.

Today I am proud of them and grateful to have great memories.

I spent Read Across Jamaica Day in St Elizabeth.

With the help of all in this photo, we read in schools, on a school bus, in taxis, launched a new Likkle Library & distributed 2000 books.

This was by far, the busiest day EVER for me in all my years doing .

But, the persons in this photo made it worthwhile.

1/ the preservice teachers from Bethlehem Moravian Teachers College who selflessly spent ALL day with us, reading out loud from school to school and also working the sun at the transport centre in Santa Cruz; you have shown me already that you have the grit needed to work in our sector. It was a pleasure.

2/ as always your planning, foresight and leadership were impeccable and I give thanks to you for making St Elizabeth, especially the Santa Cruz division an easy one to do work. You rock!

3/ Asheika James, who sacrificed all her Tuesday sessions to be with me in St Elizabeth, may have had more fun reading aloud than she anticipated. But I think deep down you did it for the hugs you got from the children across the schools.

4/ my team of writers & thank you for sharing your knowledge and talent with our children.

5/ my transport team from who moves me and my libraries safely, thank you some more. I can sleep on the commutes.

To everyone, singled out and not, including teachers, admin, children, families and my taxi driver - thank you so much. It was a great day only because of your involvement.

Shout out to the team from Reaching Stars Kindergarten in Steer Town, St Ann.

It was good chatting with you, listening to you share your realities and your hopes.

Early childhood is THE most important period in a child’s life and so the work you all do is critical. In short, children’s learning and development are your responsibilities.

Together we can!

I really enjoy supporting education & especially in North East St Ann with .samuda & his team

Last Thursday as part of the Education Week activities across the constituency, the MP hosted an Educator Beachside Chat at Sandals Ochi where teachers from EC, primary & secondary schools along with retired teachers shared their hopes and vision for education in NESA.

It was timely, honest & fun.

The state minister joined the activities.

Grateful for conversations like these.

Can you imagine if each constituency started listening more to its teachers?!
💙🇯🇲

I read too for to a class at the Burnt Savannah Primary School that has been relocated to a tent following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Even though the tent is ripped in parts, and so when it rains there can be no classes, the children and their teacher welcomed the read aloud. I should also add that they maintained high spirits, good energy and were committed to getting the day’s school work done.

Kudos and commendations to the children and their teacher (and to the many others who learn in circumstances like these).

Last week was a busy but fulfilling week.

One highlight that I am proud of was the launch of BOOKS FOR BABIES at the St Ann’s Bay Infant School.

As a brain builder centre, children enroll at an earlier age. Younger children benefit from establishing connections with caregivers and so engaging with them is a priority. This becomes easier through books that are designed for our youngest in mind. These books are often smaller, with thicker pages that young children can begin to turn easier, they are fun to touch, feel and look at, rhyming is often involved and in general these books promote engagement. And from this engagement children begin exposure to language and they learn that they matter.

In a world where children benefit from connection with us adults, let’s choose to prioritize books for all ages but of course starting with babies.

It’s time to read again Jamaica, starting with our babies.

L O V E 💙
For & From Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf.