Julaine Gordon - Elgin Taylor

A careful analysis of the current education landscape will reveal that several classroom teachers at the primary and secondary levels of the system have been acquiring diplomas and degrees in guidance and counselling.

The question then arises as to the efficacy of this training, and the extent to which it can be utilised in the context of the classroom situation.

Light was shed on this question through a recent interview that The Star conducted with one of these teachers, Julaine Gordon, of Old Harbour Primary School in St. Catherine.

"Guidance and counselling training definitely helps in the classroom with deviant behaviour and other undesirable attitudes of the students. As a counsellor, you know how to spot and curb those behaviours," she asserted.

She also informed that reformation results when they adopt a behaviour set which is opposite to the ones they display; that different behaviours require different strategies, and that the remedial process has to be tempered with love.

'LeapFrog' method

Gordon, who teaches a grade six class of 20 slow learners, revealed that as part of her teaching strategies she often uses word-game bingo to improve their vocabulary. She also employs the Leapfrog method to aid their pronunciation skills, and gives them key words for homework spelling. These words are generally drawn from various topics of the curriculum. She reported that so far they have been making steady progress.

She also revealed that unlike reading, mathematics does not pose a problem. She attributed this to the fact that the subject lends itself more readily to a hands-on approach.

No-nonsense teacher

Gordon was born in Burnt Savannah in Westmoreland and from an early age knew that she wanted to become a teacher. She said the choice was made easier due to the fact that a number of her relatives were members of the profession. She recalled an aunt in particular who she used to assist with the marking of papers (scripts).

She graduated from Mico University College in St Andrew in 2002 with a diploma in guidance and counselling.

The ambitious, no-nonsense teacher later studied at the University College of the Caribbean and Florida International University, gaining a bachelor's degree in human resource management and a master's degree in curriculum and instructions, respectively from these institutions.

She became a member of staff at Old Harbour Primary in September 2002 shortly after graduating from Mico University College.

She said her happiness is seeing her students progress from point A to point B and also expressed the wish for the Ministry of Education to place a reading teacher in every school.