Tales of an Educator’s Gratitude

by Dujean Edwards

November is Gratitude Month at The Worthy Educator!

Being an educator in the Jamaican classroom for the past three years has graciously rekindled the disquieted yet passionate spirit of learning recently. Taking into account diverse learning styles, the meticulous development of lesson plans, persistent and purposeful academic advisement, and the rich possibilities of research with colleagues has made my journey of metacognition thus far both worthwhile and riveting.

The corporate road I travelled for more than a decade offered more benefits—significantly higher market remuneration, lucrative packages, and leverage—and while those are reasonable pull factors for many in the 'small but tallawah' gem of the Caribbean, I felt a calling, and a modicum of gratitude that blazed into a burning passion for becoming a gatekeeper of learning.

Have I experienced difficult and trying challenges on this journey?

Absolutely!

Did I regret walking away from the corporate space?

Not at all. As tempting as it sounds to head back, being in education has equipped me with a wealth of hard and soft skills that have woven the stairways to self-actualization. For that, I feel more alive, inspired, and focused than ever.

More aligned with my God-given talent and purpose, I swelled with anticipation to share the wealth of knowledge I received from my valued friends, coworkers, and bosses. Back in September 2023, my first assigned class at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) was Introduction to Public Speaking, which, ironically, challenged me as someone low on extraversion. Despite this immediate barrier, my unwavering determination to teach my students to make a perceptible and positive difference in the Jamaican society became the much-needed catalyst to establish myself as a tertiary educator.

Being a teacher has meant being open to learning new social norms, navigating and adapting carefully to a new locale, with a touch of humility. As Jean Baptiste Massieu beautifully stated: “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” Thus, it would be remiss of me not to share my perspective in giving thanks to the key individuals in my continuous improvement journey. I therefore express my gratitude to three groups: my students, my colleagues, and my bosses.

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart."

Give Thanks to Your Students, Past and Present

My current and past students range from their early teens to highly mature and successful corporate giants, and I am guaranteed to learn something from their creative faculties in every class. Our lively interactive sessions in Sociology, Jamaican Politics and Business Communications are filled with unique—and sometimes weird—ideas, which, in retrospect, have helped me develop an open mind toward the subjects of interest.

Frankly, I love interacting with them for this very reason.A study on teachers’ learning in the classroom by Soini & Pyhältö (2016) revealed that an educator’s professional agency is the culmination of numerous hours spent reflecting on and adapting to information obtained from colleagues and, more importantly, their students. At the end of each semester, a wave of subtle sadness is an all-too-familiar experience, as the interactions we developed will no longer be as frequent as they once were. I never forget to express my gratitude for their presence, their sacrifices, and the learning experiences they have afforded me.

Show Your Gratitude to Colleagues

It’s easy to be infused with timeless wisdom from the professionals you work with, and it’s even harder not to express your gratitude after collaborating with them for so long. It hits differently, as the nature of professional relationships is often long-lasting and deeply meaningful. My journey toward professional development began in 2013, fresh out of university and eager to enter the workforce. Fortunately, a classmate and former colleague helped me craft my résumé and encouraged me to apply for a position in quality assurance at a corporate giant.

During my tenure, the job taught me more than the classroom ever could and even challenged some of the established theories I once held to be true. From becoming a better cook and flavor tester to operating machines that measure nutrient content and availability, none of this would have been possible without the guidance and patience of my colleagues. American politician and author Julia Alvarez reminds us, “The point is not to pay back kindness, but to pass it on.” What my colleagues d demonstrated early in my career was nothing short of selfless professionalism. Fast forward a decade later, and those principles still hold true. Being a novice at academic research was frustrating initially, but needless to say, my academic circle was an immense source of support that was crucial to growing my love for research.

Thank Your Boss for the Life Lessons

Bosses are often perceived as infallible because of the legitimate power they hold—and, unfortunately, the coercive power they sometimes wield in a professional’s career. They can easily make or break one’s path, and we are a concretised product of their lessons. I have had my fair share of both good and bad leaders, nonetheless I remain deeply grateful to those who truly helped shape me into the academic I am today. I still remember the first piece of valuable wisdom from my very first boss: “Dujean, if it isn’t documented, it wasn’t done.” I didn’t realize the gravity of those words until I found myself in management years later.

Before I transitioned into academia, my then General Manager played a pivotal role in helping me understand operations and production management, the fundamentals of finance, and the essence of effective leadership. To this day I look up to him as an archetype of a strong manager. Thankfully, I’ve been able to apply those nuggets of wisdom in teaching my own classes. I often encourage my students to make their mistakes in the classroom rather than on the work floor, and, more importantly, I share my own missteps from my professional journey so they don’t have to repeat them.

Conclusion

I would be doing myself—and all who’ve walked this path with me—a great disservice if I didn’t pause to recognize the mentors, colleagues, and students who have each played a vital role in shaping my journey. Every lesson shared, every challenge faced, and every moment of encouragement has helped me grow not just as a professional, but as a person:

I'm grateful to you, my students, for allowing me to be a part of your growth and for reminding me daily of the power of curiosity, resilience, and purpose... And I'm grateful to you, my supervisors and colleagues, for your guidance and belief in my potential; it has inspired me to strive for excellence in all that I do.

I say thank you. Indeed, no man is an island. None of us achieves success alone. It is through the support, wisdom, and collaboration of others that we find the strength to rise, lead, and give back. For that, I remain deeply grateful.

References

Soini, T., Pietarinen, J., & Pyhältö, K. (2016). What if teachers learn in the classroom?. Teacher Development, 20(3), 380-397.

Dujean Edwards is an educator and researcher at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, and a part time instructor at the HEART NSTA Trust, providing vocational training that supports the development of his country's workforce. With over a decade of experience in the Jamaican corporate sector, he has developed interests in financial literacy, classroom management, and quality assurance. You can contact Dujean directly via email here.

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