Muriel Bucknall - ricardo makyn

Thirty years ago, Muriel Bucknall agreed to teach cosmetology at the insistence of a friend. This was only meant to be a temporary stint, but as fate would have it, she grew to love the experience and never left.

Bucknall was a trained cosmetologist before she entered the profession and was encouraged to so by a customer who also happened to be the then vice-principal of the Denham Town High School. She explained that several students had enrolled for the cosmetology course but said the teacher they had chosen had not shown up.

She explained, "She pleaded with me to come and assist until she got a teacher. Thirty years later, I'm still there." Her journey, she said, was inspired by "a passion to see young people excel and become useful and noticeable citizens. This is what has kept my spirit soaring."

Fuelled energy

Though facing some challenges in the inner city, Bucknall said these fuelled her energy to keep on working. She prides herself on establishing and maintaining a recognised cosmetology department and said many of her students have become successful salon owners and operators.

She received training from several cosmetology institutes both locally and abroad and received her teaching certification from the Vocational Training and Development Institute.

She has served as subject teacher, grade co-ordinator and head of department. In comparing teaching now with what it was when she first entered, she said there are many more opportunities for teachers and students now, but also added that there were many more challenges such as violence in schools, disrespect and indiscipline among students.

Her decision to stay in the field was influenced by her desire "to help young people be ready for the world of work. If you help one child, you might be helping 100."

Delivering knowledge

She would readily encourage young people to enter the profession and did so with her only daughter, who worked in the field for some time. "There must be teachers to deliver knowledge to young people, and we need to have people to continue the work because we will be going."

In relation to the issue of whether the profession is losing respect, she disagrees. She added that in every profession there are good and bad apples, but said the truly dedicated teachers are the ones who keep the fire going.

Her advice to young teachers is not to get physical with students. She acknowledges that tempting situations may arise, but advised that teachers should "use the psychology they were taught and don't get physical."

Satisfied with the job she has done over the last 30 years, Bucknall will retire in December. She intends to spend her free time with her husband, daughter and grandchildren and also plans to do more work with the church. She has also signed up for music lessons, a dream she has had for years.

She told THE STAR, "I am satisfied that I have done what I set out to do and now that I have the time, I going to learn to play the piano."