FOR 42 YEARS, Coreen Campbell has imparted knowledge to her young charges in her role as teacher. That journey ended in September when she retired after spending the last 34 years at the St James Secondary School, now the Frederick Smith Secondary School.
Students, school staff and well-wishers gathered yesterday in the school hall where there was an outpouring of love and appreciation for the former acting deputy principal.
Campbell was in the first batch of teachers assigned to the Trents, St James school when it opened in 1979.
She taught geography, social studies and religious education and eventually became the head of the general studies department.
Past and present students paid tribute to Campbell in poem, dance and song.
She was also praised for her calm nature.
Principal Jefferson Phillips said: “As an administrator she had a calm and level-headed approach to management.
“Without any fuss or fanfare she worked diligently and I was really the richer for her untiring support when she co-managed the school,” Phillips said.
Fellow teacher Carla McConney used words such as conscientious, diligent, fair, respectful, humble, kind, caring and peaceful to describe Campbell’s qualities.
“As teachers we have a mandate to teach, care for and guide students and this is what Campbell did.
One would hardly hear a student or teacher say she was unfair – some may argue too fair. Campbell gave students a chance to give their side of the story; she believed that bad behaviour stemmed from some deep-seated root and would try to extract that root and hopefully kill it,” McConney said.
McConney added that she was diplomatic, and her dealings with teachers and students were marked by respect.
While graciously accepting gifts and accolades, Campbell had words of advice for students. She urged them to use their potential to add to the growing list of great exploits by students of the newer secondary school. She said the years had seen the students rise to prominence in their chosen fields, becoming principals, politicians, civil servants, teachers, and craftspeople. (LK)