The job of educating young minds of the next generation is no easy feat. Every day, teachers are sought after to provide knowledge and instill moral values in the dozens of students placed under their care. While teachers are often remembered for the significant impact they have on the lives of their students, teaching is a thankless job. In tonight’s episode of Belize on Reel, we acknowledge the hard work of teachers and the role they play in the lives of our youths. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.
Britney Gordon, reporting
If you’ve been teaching in Belize for more than a decade, chances are that you are a recognizable face in education. The face of your favorite teacher is not one that’s easily forgotten and in the small country of Belize, running into past students is very likely. This situation is a daily occurrence for vice principal of Belize High and Elementary School and teacher of over fifty years, Diana Azueta. She detailed her extensive background in the field to us.
Dian Azueta, Teacher
“I started when I was sixteen. My forts place of working was Saint Mary’s, my alma mater. And shortly after going there, probably two years into it, I went to the teacher’s college, got trained, and I was called back immediately after finishing internship to go and lecture up there at about age 19. So I was lecturing teachers at that age, and then I went to study in England. No, backtrack. I did my ACP and all that, then went to England, came back, did part time at Teachers College, returned to St. Mary’s, did ACC, but at that time it was the only other private school. So I did that and then on to St. Mary’s again. Queen’s Square, Grace Primary, and now I’m here. But each time it was like seven years, so I think God had a hand.”
Azueta says that she never intended to become a teacher, but it was God that brought her to the profession and the love for children that kept her there.
“I’ll be very honest, I did not want to teach. I’d seen my mother do it and I was convinced it was too much work. But my belief is if God wants you to do something, He will get you to do it no matter what. So despite my preliminary dislike for it and not wanting to do it. I was convinced shortly after that’s what God wanted me to do.”
Britney Gordon
“I know you’ve been asked a couple times to retire, you’ve done so much already, but you always keep coming back. So why do you keep coming back?”
“The Children. I believe you, you have to love Children. And if you love God first, that’s my thing is, it works this way. You love God. That’s the this part of the cross and God calls you to do his work. So the arms stretch out and then you work for others. And in that case, it’s the Children for me. First, you have to care enough for them. If you don’t have the passion, don’t bother with teaching. Don’t bother.”
Azueta describes her teaching style as thinking outside the box. She explained that it is important to engage children in their learning experiences in ways that are easy to understand, but also challenge minds and inspire creativity. Now a teacher at Belize Elementary School, Danyia Samuels, a former student of Azueta’s, told us that this philosophy is now present in her own teaching methods.
Danyia Samuels, Teacher
“I remember in standard six when we had big projects to do. And you wouldn’t realize it at that moment in standard six, but once you move up and you go into your high school and you start your jobs, you realize how much that role played in, uh, shaping how you would do in your job, how you perform as well. So it really helped actually. You don’t know it then, but you know it now and especially now, has made my teaching experience here a positive one. In cases where I’m not sure about something or I think that maybe I could do something a bit differently, I would go to her for advising and she really helps me a lot. So I really appreciate having her here.”
Azueta’s influence as a teacher extends beyond her students, as teachers working under her guidance also express appreciation for her mentorship. Kendra Hoare, a fellow teacher at Belize Elementary School, who has been teaching for over eleven years, explained how much Azueta has impacted her.
Kendra Hoare, Teacher
“My teaching style definitely changed because she tells you what you can do. And she, she doesn’t only tell you to change something. She gives you ideas. She sends you a link, um, reinforcement. She’s very good at helping you whenever you need it.”
Britney Gordon
“And what’s one thing, that you try to implement into your classroom that you hope will leave a mark on your students?”
“Something that I try to implement, and I got this from misses Azueta, is to think outside the box. I encourage my students to make sure that we are not ordinary, we are not basic. We are the best, and so we think like the best, and we act like the best. And as misses Azueta said, we think outside the box.”
Azueta is renowned for her creative teaching methods. However, she explained that teaching extends beyond knowledge. Her goal is to help children become better people.
“My belief is you don’t teach students to know. You should be teaching them to be. And I’ve always held that as my, my, my goal. Teach them to be a better person. Teach them to be a good citizen. Teach them to be the best they can be. Teach them to use interpersonal skills. And that sort of thing, yes, you can give them content, but especially in this day, that’s not needed. I can pick up a phone and get whatever I need to know. So why spend hours teaching content that I can get in a few minutes? Teach them to be the best of what, or who they can become.”
For teachers like Samuels, the emotional impact they have on students is something that is treated with care. She said that being able to offer emotional support is something she’s learned to do over the years.
“What does it mean to be a teacher?”
Danyia Samuels
“That’s a loaded question. What does in mean to be a teacher? F1:11or me, it means being there for my students, most important. Yes the teaching is important and getting through to them the curriculum, but also being there for them emotionally, as well as physically being there for them. So it’s very important for me to impact them emotionally first. Once you’re there with them and they know that they can talk with you, it’s easier to teach them going forward.”
“There are so many the ones that stand out for me are like, no, because I taught you. Yes. And I remember those days when we were doing English and see, no, you’re using it. I remember things like Keon Griffith being in my class and always this huge artist, but I don’t only remember the persons who have made it big. It’s like walking down the street a few months ago and a student ran across the street through the traffic. He said miss, and gave me his history and what he’s doing. He said, you remember in instill in us, we have to do our best, and telling me what he’s doing. Those stand out for me. More than anything else.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
