Stephen Dillet Primary School teacher of the year Sheniqua A. Curry, stumbled on teaching as a career 12 years ago, but she realized immediately that it was the profession for her. The 35-year-old sixth grade teacher taught students at the grades two and four levels before settling down to teach sixth graders. Teaching students at this age group she finds bittersweet each year as her students move on to bigger and better things. She says although being selected as teacher of the year is one of the indicators that she has reached the pinnacle of her career she says it makes her happiest when she sees her former students achieve and do well during their junior years once they've left her.
Q. If you could change anything about the education system what would it be?
A. There are quite a number of things that can be improved upon, but the one I feel is the most pressing is the relationship between parents and teachers. This union, or relationship needs to be deepened in order to reach our kids because by them being told something at home and then something different at school confuses the child.  This causes us [teachers] not to be able to get the best out of our kids from that confusion. The better we can work together, the better we can teach them.  It is also important for parents to be in contact with teachers and come in to find out what is going on.  Don't always depend on your child's point of view to understand what is happening or not happening in school.  Just be more involved.
Q. Do you believe that the Grade Level Assessment Test (GLAT) exam is the most effective way to determine the level of academic ability of students?
A. No, I am not of the belief that the GLAT is the most effective way.  It is one way, and it only covers that testing mode of the child and that's not always the most effective way of assessing a child.  It may have its benefits, but I am not on board with the idea that it is the most effective way.  I feel that children learn at different ability levels and learn in different ways.  Yes it is used as a tool to see what is happening at a specific time in a child's academic lifespan, but still it doesn't cater to all different learning styles of a child.  Even with this in mind, the GLAT is still something that has to be done. The results we get every year is in the middle level because it is midways between all of our children's abilities collectively.  I am not saying to do away with the exam but I don't feel we should determine that the country is going down or not doing well because of these results alone.
Q. What are the benefits of a government school education?
A. First and foremost I do believe that the public school system has the better qualified teachers.  There are no teachers being hired in the government system without qualifications and nowadays it starts out with a bachelor's degree. Having gone through private schooling myself and now teaching in the public system I can say I do notice some differences but I do not believe that you are putting your child at a disadvantage by placing them in a public school to be frank.  I have children myself and while they are not in the public school system it is because I feel that it is here for students whose parents do not have the financial means to place them elsewhere. I feel that keeping your child in a private school if you can afford it keeps the numbers down in the government system where over-population is one of our main downfalls. This in turn makes teaching better for students and teachers alike.
Q. Why did you become a teacher?
A.  I cannot pinpoint what led me to this field, but I do know that once I was in, it was for me.  I cannot imagine not doing this profession or going into another career especially at this point in which I am at the height of my career.  It just makes me happy to be able to teach students and see them able to do something when they leave me that they couldn't when they began my class.
Q. As a grade six teacher you are preparing students to graduate and go on to junior high.  What advice would you give parents so they can help their children successfully transition to their next academic stage during the summer break?
A. First and foremost I believe that parents should be good role models because their children are watching them. They are imitating what you do so you want them to see that this is how something should be done and not this is how I am telling you it should be done.  It is something that they really need to see especially as they are transitioning from one level, grade six to adolescence and high school. They will meet lots of peer pressure and will need stability somewhere in their lives so they stay on track not only academically but as young people.  It is also important for parents to ensure that their kids are involved in some academic endeavor during the summer break. Get them involved in something that will keep their minds fresh and open for the new things they will encounter in junior high.

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