Profile of Ms Milena Richard, one of the two longest serving head teachers for 2013 and her journey to reaching this important milestone |13 November 2013

Ms Richard clocks 15 years as head teacher

After completing a three-year course in teaching in 1978 at the former Teacher Training College, Ms Milena Richard’s first posting was at the English River school where she taught for six years.

In 1985, she was transferred to Plaisance school and spent six years teaching at primary four level. Her last tenure as a teacher was at the La Misère school where she assumed the responsibility for four years.

Following her good performance as a teacher, Ms Richard was promoted to studies co-ordinator at the newly opened Plaisance primary school in 1995. This marked an important milestone in her career as it was her first taste of leadership and her first practical formative years in that field. She braved the challenges of this new mantle with vigour and finesse.

Ms Richard’s leadership journey did not end at middle-management level for in 1998 she was entrusted by the Ministry of Education to lead the Port Glaud school. Despite not having formally been trained in leadership and management at that time she took up headship wholeheartedly.

Armed mainly with some transferable skills and experience as teacher and studies co-ordinator, she learned the ropes very fast. During her tenure, one of her greatest feats has been enticing parents to take part in the school life through the setting up of different innovative structures.

In 2004, Ms Richard followed an MBA in Educational Leadership with the University of Lincoln during which she displayed a passion for teacher motivation in her research.
 
On successful completion of the MBA course in 2005, Ms Richard was posted to the Baie Lazare primary school as head teacher. With the newly acquired knowledge and skills she turned the school around and lured fathers into playing a greater role in their children’s education.

In 2010, she assumed headship at Anse Boileau primary school, a school she still heads to date.

Ms Richard is indeed at the peak of her career and is tirelessly steering the school to greater heights.
 
In all she has 15 years of headship under her belt, hence making her one of the longest serving head teachers.
 
Her message to young aspiring teachers is: “You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hand in your pockets; it takes sheer hard work and unwavering commitment.”