Kellyann trotman-

Happy International Women’s Day, ladies! I am ecstatic that I have the opportunity to share with you on a day like this where millions of women all over the world are celebrating a myriad of achievements and lessons learnt.

I am Kellyann Trotman-Clarke; a wife, mother, teacher, author, worship minister, entrepreneur, and digital investor. Being an educator is the first profession I embarked upon, and it continues to be one passion of mine out of several others. I have been a teacher for the past seventeen years, and I absolutely love my job.

Throughout my career, I have learnt and relearnt several lessons. I have developed as a leader having studied for my Bachelors degree in Linguistics, Diploma in Education, as well as a Masters degree in Educational Administration. I have been part of my school’s management team where I worked with wonderful teachers, planning and strategizing for the nation’s youth. In that capacity as a leader, I learnt patience, endurance and compassion; because situations arise so often in a school setting that are unique and unheard of in other professions. For me, teaching is not only a profession; it is indeed a calling. There are so many facets attached to an individual being a teacher that one must be able to embrace all if he or she intends to be effective in the profession.

In my days as a young lady, I was impacted by one teacher in particular, who knew how to draw the potential out of his students. He was creative and assisted in developing the creative, academic and spiritual side of me.

In my eyes, I wanted to be like him and contribute to society in a way that would assist in developing positive leaders in society. Whether we like it or even agree with it; teachers have the most significant impact on the lives of individuals. We spend many hours with young people daily, and we have the ability to influence their behaviors. Yes, teaching is a tough job, but it is also a rewarding one.

Like any other profession, there would be things we love and then things we would really like to see changed or revamped. Our environment is not static and things change within the twinkling of an eye. The past two years have been the most challenging times in the life of any educator. We have seen ourselves work longer hours outside of the classroom, because our preparation time has significantly increased. Planning for school has taken on a new face, and we have found ourselves having to make focused efforts to separate our school day and home life. We have had to learn how to balance educating students and also assisting our own children in their school environment which happens to be our homes. It has been challenging, and I met some wonderful parents during the pandemic who desperately wanted the best help they could get for their children. It has been an uphill climb, but we are determined to forge ahead to achieve the results as willed by the Holy Spirit, for our help comes from Him.

On this day, I wish to say to you, ladies, “Keep pressing on, and do not give up because the birth of a ‘new …’ depends on us.” I once heard a speaker say, “never stop driving your car in the storm because if you stop, you stay in that storm. Keep driving, and that storm will come to an end.” We are wired and created to make, nurture, birth and bring forth what is on the inside. We are women! We are ladies! We are leaders!