Photo by Avia Ustanny
Dr. Magilee Daley, senior lecturer at Church Teachers' College in Mandeville.

Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer

No one who knew her well was surprised about Magilee Daley's achievement of a doctoral degree last year. The teacher, who always requests students to disclose the grades they desire at the start of the school year and then assiduously works to help them achieve it, has never been content with a mediocre life.

Mrs. Beverley Minott, a past principal of Church Teachers' College in Mandeville where Magilee is currently a lecturer and who has known her for 12 years notes, "Mrs. Daley is very hard working, creative and goal oriented person. She is definitely a go-getter."

Magilee Daley's PhD, received from Nova South Eastern University in Florida in the United States, is just one in the long list of achievements, both tangible and intangible.

The senior lecturer at Church Teachers' College, displayed a penchant for excellence form her earliest days in teaching. While tutoring at May Pen Secondary, she would study with students until 12 midnight, allowing some to sleep over in her guest bedroom, or jumping in her car to take others home in the middle of the night. For Magilee, the local park in May Pen was another classroom, as she also gathered students there to do extra lessons for CXC examinations.

Study sessions

Students came to Magilee Daley's home every weekend for study sessions where teachers and students both would lie on the floor and review their work.

Now a lecturer at college level, Dr. Daley does the same thing for her students. Twenty three year-old Ilsojan Jackson, a third-year student of Church Teachers' College comments, "You can always depend on Dr. Daley for added information. She pushes her students to get A's. She is a very detailed person."

If, at the start of the term a student says that what he/she hopes for is a B+, Magilee says she is delighted, as she always makes it her goal to help the studens achieve even more than they hoped for.

Another third year-student, 28-year-old Miesha Pottinger whom Dr. Daley teaches Advanced Culinary Techniques and Home Economic Methods, states that her teacher is "always working for us around the clock no matter what. If you have a concern or problem you can call Dr. Daley. She gives us her cell and house phone. She sometimes does work for us. That's how much she is a reliable person."

Dr. Daley's very tolerant husband, businessman Donnat Daley, is the "Mr. Wonderful", she says who says nary a word about the great deal of time spent with students and who often "dresses" her and helps with cleaning the house on weekends. When cleaning, he allows her to grade his efforts and will do the task again if he receives 'less than an A'.

Since birth, Magilee notes, she has been surrounded by individuals who have encouraged her vigorously in her desire to teach.

Land

Magilee Daley was born in Coley Mount Manchester, to the very influential Geraldine Powell, the Coley Mount basic school teacher and businessman Newton Powell who donated the land for the basic school right next to the family residence.

"My parents expected me to be a teacher," Magilee recalls.

But, her own desire started at primary school level where, in classes, she usually completed her work long before other students and was given the duties of over seeing the class. Magilee also saw her mother's excitement in preparing teaching aids and getting ready for classes.

"These things stimulated me."

All her eight siblings gained experience in teaching in Coley Mountain, though only Magilee and two of her older sisters would remain in the profession.

In fifth form at St. Elizabeth Technical, Magilee was the only one out of a class of 40, to volunteer for teaching at Newville High School where there was a vacancy. It was an experience, which she enjoyed.

She recalls, "I was a very aggressive person in terms of teaching. I thought at the time that if I could share what I learned, it would make me happy."

Magilee applied to Church Teachers' College and did the interview, but heard nothing in the first year. One day after work, the teenager went to the college and spoke to principal Father William Murray about how much she wanted to attend the institution. He did another interview immediately and, a week later she received a letter offering her a place at the school.

The acceptance letter was a moment of celebration for the entire Powell family and her local church. "I was so happy," Dr. Daley now recalls.

At Church's, she did Home Economics, General Science and Math and interned at May Pen Secondary where she would continue teaching for 18 years, holding the post of head of the Home Economics Department for 14 years. Magilee also became grade supervisor, house leader and form teacher.

The years at May Pen Secondary, she says, were very challenging but rewarding.

Skills

"My leadership skills blossomed. I developed strategies - non-traditional ones - which the students enjoyed. I also encouraged an entrepreneurial attitude. The students took orders and sold products and, with this money, were able to buy more supplies for class. They were also properly attired out of their earnings."

Magilee encouraged them to see the value of the skill which they were learning and the students responded enthusiastically. They would stay long after class was over to complete goals set.

The principal was appreciative of her efforts and made every effort to fund the budget of the Home Economics Department.

"It was 18 wonderful years," Dr. Daley reminisced.

After nearly two decades Magilee decided that she wanted to "see what the outside world was like". She left May Pen Secondary to spend two years with Grace Kennedy as Food and Nutrition Specialist in the Denbigh area.

She then applied to teach at Church Teachers' College and was hired as a home economics tutor. She has held this position since 1994 and is now a senior lecturer at the college.

At Church's, Magilee made her mark with her usual emphasis on entrepreneurship and strategic planning. She turned the college's tuck shop into a superette, gave advice on reorganising the cafeteria and designed job descriptions for staff in food services.

She has also worked as chairperson for several college committees. Currently, she chairs the Church's Action Plan Committee which intends to develop "a high college spirit within the community". She is also working on accreditation for the home economics programme. Magilee is, additionally, staff advisor for the student council and Jamvat (Jamaica Values and Attitudes Project for Tertiary Students) coordinator - a work study programme which allows students to earn income of $10,000 or 30 per cent of their school fee.

Outside the college community, she has started a training centre in May Pen which helps unemployed women and others to develop marketable skills. "One of my students called me to say 'I have been married for so many years and have never had a settee and now because of the course I can now buy one'," Dr. Daley disclosed with a smile.

The past student of the training centre now does wedding cakes and sells them.

"My life is really one of a passion for teaching," Dr. Daley says.

In everything she has been supported not just by her husband but her three children as well. Son Duane, a geology major at the University of the West Indies (UWI) now teaches at Meadowbrook High School in Kingston.

Daughter Khadine is regional public relations manager for Sandals in Negril and son Dave is a college student majoring in Business Studies.

For both family and students, Dr. Daley explains, "I tend to be a good listener. My aim is to make people happy. Sometimes I give up my rights to please them."

Compromise

With this ability to compromise, she has achieved much of what she wants out of life. Other academic achievements include a diploma and degree from CAST (now UTECH). In 1999 she completed a masters in curriculum development at the UWI, doing additional courses for the pure pleasure of it.

Most recently, Magilee decided to pursue doctoral studies in curriculum development and systemic change at Nova South Eastern University.. "It was extremely enjoyable. I did several leadership courses which propelled me to understand people more," she reflects.

Ilsojan Jackson, the third-year student from Church's states that her favourite lecturer is "pleasant and jovial and always smiling, which is what I love about her because when you have problems she is always there to help to resolve them."

Magilee Daley was born to teach and every aspect of her life reflects this.