A teacher from Barbados has been acknowledged for her exceptional contributions to the development of education in the Cayman Islands.
Favourita Blanchard retired after dedicating 21 years of her teaching career in the Cayman Islands to return to her homeland of Barbados.
“I’m looking forward to reuniting with family and friends and effectively contributing to the Barbadian society in any area that I can,” said Ms. Blanchard during a farewell gathering of fellow teachers and friends at the Lantern Point club house on Saturday, March 1.
“We could not allow Favourita to leave the Cayman Islands without acknowledging her exceptional contribution to the development of education here,” said Juliette Gooding-Michelin, the honorary consul of Barbados. “She has been an excellent ambassador for Barbados in this country.” Ms. Blanchard started her teaching career in 1972 at St. Paul’s Primary School in Barbados. After 20 years of service with the Ministry of Education in Barbados, she accepted a contract with the Ministry of Eduction in the Cayman Islands and began teaching at Creek Primary School in Cayman Brac in August 1992.
In 1996, Ms. Blanchard was awarded the “Teacher McField Award” for Cayman Islands’ Teacher of the Year.
After spending 10 years on Cayman Brac, Ms. Blanchard transferred to the Red Bay Primary School in Grand Cayman. There, she taught Year Six students, contributed to the senior management team as head of the junior department, and completed training as a local occasional inspector.
In 2006, Ms. Blanchard was appointed curriculum development officer. In 2007, she became inspector of schools. She also prepared and conducted sessions at the University College of the Cayman Islands for students who were pursuing their teaching degrees.
Ms. Blanchard worked with the Schools’ Inspectorate from 2007 until her retirement on Jan. 18, 2014.
In Barbados, Ms. Blanchard joined the Cub Scouts Association and became a certified Cub Scout leader. She attended Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, where she gained her teacher’s certificate with distinctions in teaching and music.
She continued her studies at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, where she successfully completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Linguistics with Education, graduating with honors. In 1989 and 1990, she taught curriculum planning and classroom management at Erdiston for the Substitute Teachers Training Programme.
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