Two Women

Early Childhood teachers are rarely celebrated simply because it's a job that means a lot to a child and to families who need us, but because we don't bring in the big bucks, nor do we make big bank deals, sell a lot of cars, houses or material goods, there is no place to put us on the roster for "important." I like this story because these women gave their lives to children, and to me that's the most important thing you can do. A child is God's blessing on the world and that's more important than anything I can think of. We make a lot of things in this world, but God made the child. Working with children is a privilege.

Sun Weekend
Antiqua
Celebrating Two Outstanding Teachers
Saturday March 18 2006

The staff at the Early Childhood Educational Training Centre would be celebrating its 10th anniversary of the training programme during the month of March. We would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank all those people who have contributed to the success of the programme over the years.

Individuals who have made an impact on the programme would include former supervisors of the Early Childhood Educational Training Centre, field officers, lectures and the students themselves who have sacrificed their time during the last ten years. At this time, we will also recognise two black women who have made significant contribution to early childhood education in Antigua and Barbuda throughout the years.

These women are Ethlyn V. Williams, retired proprietor of the Ethlyn V. Williams Child Development Centre located in Gambles, and Pearle Gordon, supervisor, Pilgrim Holiness Preschool located in Gray’s Farm.

Ethlyn V. Williams
Ethlyn V. Williams was born in Liberta Village, Antigua, to Mr. and Mrs. Novelle Athill. Her formative education took place at the Grace Hill Moravian School, and after leaving school, she worked at Millers’ Insurance Company at High Street, St. John’s, for approximately 20 years. She subsequently migrated to the United States of America where she was employed at a nursery school and a preschool for approximately five years at Beverly Heights, New Jersey.

After returning home, she made the decision to become self-employed. That decision came about because of her love for, and contact with, the young ones she cared for while in the United States. Parents in Williams’ immediate community, who were going back to work after the birth of their babies, approached her about taking care of their babies and toddlers while they returned to work. She graciously consented, and in 1979, she extended her services to include a pre-school for children two plus to four plus years of age. Thus was born the Gambles Community Preschool.

In order to effectively perform her role as preschool teacher, as well as head of her business, Williams enrolled and became certified in the practices of early childhood education. She attended classes and workshops held by the University Centre School of Continuing Studies, and the Early Childhood Education Training Centre at Gunthorpes.

As a believer in her creator, she echoes these words – “In everything you do, put God first and pray continuously, and He will see you through.” The calibre of citizens whom Williams has produced throughout the years is testimony to her attributes of loving, caring, reliability, commitment, and dedication.

Williams gives credit for her achievements to Dr. Edris Bird and Winnifred Peter-Roberts, who were very instrumental in assisting her with the overall management of the services which she offered.

Her students often consist of third and fourth generation of families whom she taught previously, and she is convinced that her steady flow of students is due to the impact she made on her former students.

In conclusion, Williams would like to quote from R.C. Savage – “Most people are willing to pay more to be amused than to be educated.”

Pearle Gordon
Pearl Gordon received her formal schooling at the All Saints Government School. She was placed in charge of the former Pilgrim Primary School on 10 March 1973 and has been running the school ever since.

In the early years of the establishment, the children who attended the school ranged between ages three years and 12 years, and at one time, there were more than 150 students enrolled at the school. She later dropped the age of the older children attending the school to age eight years. Currently, Gordon caters to children between two and a half and five years of age. Her present enrollment at the now Pilgrim Preschool is 30 students. She prides herself in the fact that many of her past students are holding prominent positions in Antigua & Barbuda.

Her advice to those who are interested in early childhood education is to “love and understand children, and learn to cope with them.”

The staff at the Early Childhood Educational Training Centre salutes these two women for the sterling contribution they made to the nation of Antigua and Barbuda throughout the years. We wish them God’s continued blessings as they journey on in life.