Marlene Hyatt-Gordon - Elgin Taylor photo

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of students sitting business subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Certificate Examination (CSEC).

Marlene Hyatt-Gordon, a business teacher at Ewarton High School in St. Catherine, believes that this is a positive thing in respect to the future growth of the nation.

"I believe that we are turning out potential entrepreneurs," she told The STAR.

Mrs. Hyatt-Gordon commented that she teaches business basics to students in grades 7-9 as part of the resource and technology syllabus, as part of the Reform of Secondary Education (ROSE) Curriculum.

Army Officer

Hyatt-Gordon revealed to The STAR that, as a youngster growing up in Spanish Town, she harboured thoughts of becoming an officer in the Jamaica Defence Force. But becoming a soldier would prove to be an elusive dream as in 1997, she failed to go beyond the obstacle course at the Newcastle army training centre. This was a year following her brief stint as a pre-trained teacher at Bog Walk High School in St.Catherine.

She then turned her full attention to teaching and went on to further her education at Moneague College during the period 1997-2000, gaining a diploma in business education in the process.

Her quest for knowledge and to be better able to cater to the needs of her students led her to the University of Technology from 2002-2004 where she obtained a bachelor of education degree in business studies.

She has been at Ewarton High since September, 2000 and has been actively involved in sporting and other activities of the school. She also holds the post of Grade eight co-ordinator.

Some challenges

Hyatt-Gordon, like many other teachers in the education system, is very concerned about the attitude displayed by the adolescents towards education.

"In terms of disruptive behaviour, I would say that they are average. However, when it comes down to a question of their attitude toward their studies, that is where the problem lies," she stated. She blames it on the lack of parental support. She has been employing activity-based strategies with small groups in order to counteract this behaviour.

Another problem she alluded to concerns the unavailability of a specific textbook for her subject area. As a result, she has to source information from office practice and principles of business texts, among others.

She said that despite of these challenges, she is coping fairly well and hopes to do even better in the future.