For Kerel Samuels, one of five teachers at the Maryland All-Age School, Andria Dehaney-Dinham "is strict, stern and she is my friend and my boss.

"We travelled on the same transport while we were attending high school. And from then and even now, there is never a dull moment around her, she gives jokes and she is a 'striver', always reaching for higher things."

With a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and applied social relations from the Eastern Connecticut University, U.S.A., and a community activist for more than 15 years, working with youth and community clubs in her parish, Mrs. Dehaney-Dinham takes great pride in seeing her entire student body of approximately 300 excel.

Greatest joy

"The school is doing well, last year we came first in the All-Island Maypole contest, this year we got the best cleaned school for the parish and my greatest joy is not to take home my pay cheque, but to see the students taking home trophies. If one is going to be a woodworker or mechanic - they have to be educated, if not they are in trouble. I will continue to make the lives of others brighter because education is the key to our nation's development!"

This is a special Gleaner feature in partnership with the Jamaica Information Service (JIS).