Adina Senior — Outstanding Educator
31May 2012
Renae Dixon
Adina Senior is a name that’s synonymous withearly childhood education. The dynamic educator and founder of the Buckfield Basic School in Ocho Rios is often spoken of for her significant service to education, especially in St Ann.
Mrs Senior has a passion for educating “babies” and even at age 86, she still feels that had it not been for her dim eyes she would still be in the classroom. “Had it not been for my eyes, I would have been doing it still,” she said.
Her journey as an educator started when, at the age of nine, she went to live with a Salvation Army officer who would travel all over the island teaching and taking on other duties in the institution.
Adina Senior was born in Lodge, St Ann, where she was grown until nine years old by her grandmother. She was then taken under the wings of the Salvation Army officer who helped to shape her future as an educator.
STARTING SCHOOL
When Mrs Senior was 20 years old, her guardian retired and it was then that she returned to her home parish to live. In 1950 she got married to Clarence Senior.
She worked different jobs but after she had her first two children, she decided she would go home and take care of them. With early childhood institutions not very prevalent, she started out teaching her two children along with nine other children at her home. It was then that her school started with 11 students. What was known for years as “Ms Senior’s School”, and is still referred to as such, now stands as the Buckfield Basic School.
With patience and love for children Mrs Senior, who became known as ‘Mama’ was a very effective early childhood educator.
Many of her past students have gone on to hold prestigious positions in society. One of Mrs Senior’s first students is former Commissioner of Police, and now CEO of the JUTC Hardly Lewin who, like many others, has expressed his gratitude for her confidence in him.
Teaching did not cause the humble educator to neglect the needs of her eight children. They too were her students and according to her, “everyone was under the same manners.”
The dedicated mother, wife and teacher was also a dedicated Christian woman and remains faithful to God today. Mrs Senior served for 12 years as a pastor in several branches of the Church of God of Prophesy.
MUSIC
She gave up her active role in the church about three years ago as her eye sight dwindles. However, she still attends church regularly and loves to listen to the preaching and singing.
Mrs Senior played several instruments including the keyboard and the harmonica. All her children are also musicians as she took time out to teach them.
Her dedication to education also seems to have rubbed off on her children, four of whom are trained educators. However, all her children have experienced the classroom as, after high school, they each taught at the basic school.
When asked what her advice is to young people who are considering going into the classroom she says “You can’t rough and beat things into babies; you have to friend them, love them and let them get to love you and they will learn. If you are going to beat them and rough them you are not going to get it.”
Over the years Mrs Senior has received numerous awards for her contribution to education. The Ocho Rios Police Youth Club, the Buckfield Basic PTA and her church are among the many that have recognized her over the years. She is the St Ann Chamber of Commerce awardee for education for 2012.
Adina Senior is a name that’s synonymous withearly childhood education. The dynamic educator and founder of the Buckfield Basic School in Ocho Rios is often spoken of for her significant service to education, especially in St Ann.
Mrs Senior has a passion for educating “babies” and even at age 86, she still feels that had it not been for her dim eyes she would still be in the classroom. “Had it not been for my eyes, I would have been doing it still,” she said.
Her journey as an educator started when, at the age of nine, she went to live with a Salvation Army officer who would travel all over the island teaching and taking on other duties in the institution.
Adina Senior was born in Lodge, St Ann, where she was grown until nine years old by her grandmother. She was then taken under the wings of the Salvation Army officer who helped to shape her future as an educator.
STARTING SCHOOL
When Mrs Senior was 20 years old, her guardian retired and it was then that she returned to her home parish to live. In 1950 she got married to Clarence Senior.
She worked different jobs but after she had her first two children, she decided she would go home and take care of them. With early childhood institutions not very prevalent, she started out teaching her two children along with nine other children at her home. It was then that her school started with 11 students. What was known for years as “Ms Senior’s School”, and is still referred to as such, now stands as the Buckfield Basic School.
With patience and love for children Mrs Senior, who became known as ‘Mama’ was a very effective early childhood educator.
Many of her past students have gone on to hold prestigious positions in society. One of Mrs Senior’s first students is former Commissioner of Police, and now CEO of the JUTC Hardly Lewin who, like many others, has expressed his gratitude for her confidence in him.
Teaching did not cause the humble educator to neglect the needs of her eight children. They too were her students and according to her, “everyone was under the same manners.”
The dedicated mother, wife and teacher was also a dedicated Christian woman and remains faithful to God today. Mrs Senior served for 12 years as a pastor in several branches of the Church of God of Prophesy.
MUSIC
She gave up her active role in the church about three years ago as her eye sight dwindles. However, she still attends church regularly and loves to listen to the preaching and singing.
Mrs Senior played several instruments including the keyboard and the harmonica. All her children are also musicians as she took time out to teach them.
Her dedication to education also seems to have rubbed off on her children, four of whom are trained educators. However, all her children have experienced the classroom as, after high school, they each taught at the basic school.
When asked what her advice is to young people who are considering going into the classroom she says “You can’t rough and beat things into babies; you have to friend them, love them and let them get to love you and they will learn. If you are going to beat them and rough them you are not going to get it.”
Over the years Mrs Senior has received numerous awards for her contribution to education. The Ocho Rios Police Youth Club, the Buckfield Basic PTA and her church are among the many that have recognized her over the years. She is the St Ann Chamber of Commerce awardee for education for 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment