Jeanne D’arc Rose dedicates 46 years of her life as a teacher |09 October 2013

This week’s Education Page brings you a profile of the longest serving teacher for 2013, Mrs Jeanne D’arc Rose, who received a special award during the Teachers’ Award Presentation Ceremony 2013 held at State House recently.

Mrs Jeanne D’arc Rose was inspired by her older sister to join the teaching profession when she was still a very young girl.  Watching her teach was captivating and mesmerising.  She started teaching in 1967 at the tender age of 18 at La Misère School. As a supply teacher she arduously taught all subjects including the Arts and PE but she enjoyed every minute of the experience as it helped her become a more effective teacher.
 
In 1971 she was transferred to Anse Aux Pins School and the following year she joined the Teacher Training College.  On completion of her training in 1974, she was lucky to be posted back to Anse Aux Pins School where she has worked to date. Despite her age she is still soldiering on with zeal.
 
Miss Jeanne D’arc, as she is affectionately known, is highly devoted to her work and over the years has kept abreast of the changes in teaching so as to improve her instructional practice.  She is of a pleasant disposition and exercises a great deal of patience and understanding to ensure that the pupils under her care experience learning regardless of their difficulties.  One of her greatest qualities which should be singled out is that Miss Jeanne D’arc loves children and enjoys working with them.
 
 She is also actively and passionately involved in instilling spiritual values in pupils at the school.
 
Miss Jeanne D’arc has been in the teaching profession for forty-six years.  This is no easy feat to emulate and according to her, despite being influenced by her sister, she also felt the call and therefore wanted to experience what it was like to be a teacher.  There has been trying times but she has persevered.  Today, she is proud that her past pupils are contributing in the development of the country because she has been instrumental in shaping their character and empowering them with basic knowledge and skills.  This is what is keeping her in the profession!

Despite having won the award for longest serving teacher, Miss Jeanne D’arc would like to remain a full-time teacher at Anse Aux Pins School, if she is still in good health. She would particularly like to promote spirituality further.  The Ministry of Education thanks Ms Jeanne D’arc for her dedication and salutes her industriousness and perseverance.