Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

I got some more information from my contacts about the issue of quality and thei goals in the field. It is very intereting to learn so much about South America and Trinidad.

Mrs. Lisset Hernandez Wrote:

Regarding your question, many people get into the teaching field. We think it is one of the most beautiful careers a person can choose. The children are well behaved but of course there are some who aren't and that makes you work harder with them, and that is the challenge in the field.

In regard to the quality of the professionals in the field, the children have the same teacher from kindergarten to 6th grade, but from 7th grade to 12th grade they have a teacher for each subject. That allows the teachers to know and understand their needs.  They also have a subject called: Pre-Military Instruction. A man from the army comes in and teaches them the basic things about being in the army such as: stand, march, salute and some others but it is only taught from 10th to 12th grade. My professional goal is to continue working in the field of education. I enjoy working with children and would continue doing it.

Mrs. Krystel Theodore Wrote:

Education holds very high standards in our society, so the quality of our school system is fantastic. Children usually begin formal schooling at the age of 4½ -5 years old.  As a member of the United Nations we have also adopted the E.C.C.E curriculum as well as standards.

All Classrooms usually are 20-30 students to 1 teacher. And of recent through the On-Job training program by government has allowed Teacher’s Aide or Teacher’s Assistant in classrooms to assist teachers, which is one opportunity for professional development. However this is not always the case. All schools are supposed to have a P.T.A association. In terms of the support system of these groups I cannot say but they are very supported in some cases according to the school. There is also a group known as TUTTA (Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association) this group represents the teachers of Trinidad and Tobago. They also play a major role in decisions made regarding education along with the Ministry of Education which governs the education system. My goal is to become an overseer in one of the primary schools. That is what you might call a principle in the United States.