Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter
Kadian Harrisingh - contributed
Kadian Harrisingh wanted to be a nurse, not a teacher. When she began teaching at her local Sunday school however, she fell in love with children and decided to attend teachers' college.
Harrisingh, 28, immediately enrolled at the Shortwood Teachers' College, pursued a degree in early childhood education and after graduation, started teaching at the Golden Grove Infant School, in St Thomas. Three years later, she is still very much in love with her job and with her students.
She told THE STAR, "I wanted to be a nurse. I was waiting, but I didn't get through. I started teaching Sunday school and my love for the small ones started building there."
Though keeping up with infants is very demanding, she has no regrets and told THE STAR, "I have to deal with it. It's fun. You become a child when you interact with them and play with them. You know, singing silly songs. It helps to relieve the stress."
She also added that it is much easier to deal with young children as the threat of violence and insubordination is not a major concern.
More respect
Though there are many things she loves about the profession, she also wishes that teachers would be shown more respect and appreciation. "Teachers are trying to do their best, but we also need more assistance from the parents."
The mother of one said she would not necessarily want her child to follow in her footsteps, but would not be against it if she decided to. "It's a lot of work. You have to be patient to work with children. You are underpaid, and still you have to be so much to the children - a mother, a doctor ..."
Though she finds her job fulfilling and entertaining, Harrisingh told THE STAR that she planned to stay in the field, only for a while, before moving on to other things.
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