A campaign encouraging students to consider careers in teaching and across the education sector has been launched by the Ministry of Education and Training.
Running between 15 Sept. and 3 Oct., the NexGen Educators campaign is a national initiative designed to encourage Caymanian students in Year 13 and beyond to consider careers in the sector, including classroom teaching as well as educational psychologists and school counsellors.
National priority
Minister for Education and Training Rolston Anglin, said, “Education is a national priority. It is more than the delivery of lessons; it is the framework upon which our society and economy depend.”
He added, “NexGen Educators seeks to ensure that Caymanians recognise education as a profession with breadth, depth, and purpose. We are encouraging our young people to see this field not only as a career, but as a national service that contributes directly to the success of our islands.”
The campaign is being rolled out through social media features, webinars and written stories demonstrating the value of education as both a stable career and a vital public service. It is aimed at students in both public and private education with the hope of encouraging working across all aspects of the education system.
Long-term planning
Cetonya Cacho, chief officer for the Ministry of Education and Training, emphasised that the campaign is about ensuring long-term planning for the education sector.
“The Ministry of Education and Training is committed to building a strong and sustainable Caymanian workforce,” she said. “The NexGen Educators campaign is designed to inform students and families of the diverse roles available in education and the opportunities they present. By making these pathways visible, we are taking deliberate steps to strengthen the sector, ensure continuity of expertise, and prepare for the long-term needs of our education system.”
Artist turned teacher
Caymanian artist and teacher Martina Jackson, 34, discovered a love for teaching later on in her career and says she is looking forward to inspiring the next generation. Jackson spent more than a decade working in actuarial science but is currently in London studying for her PGCE teacher training qualification in secondary mathematics at University College London.
“Education is the key to success for not just individuals but our entire country and I am grateful to CI Government for supporting me and others to pursue careers in teaching,” she said. “I am grateful to the dedicated teachers I had growing up in Cayman, who gave me both knowledge and confidence and I would love to be that teacher for someone in the future.”
One of those teachers, Ann Hunte, taught her mathematics at John Gray High School nearly 20 years ago. Continuing her support, Hunte wrote Jackson’s reference for UCL and offered encouragement throughout the process.
Jackson, who is also an artist and musician as well as a teacher, is looking forward to supporting creative students as well as introducing them to career opportunities in this realm.
“I want to help Caymanian students feel they can truly achieve their full potential and be anything they want to be,” she said.
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