5th Grade Mathematics
Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School
As a mother of two school-aged children, I fully comprehend the herculean task of teaching and educating our children. As fate would have it, I became a teacher long before I became a mother; hence the reality check for me came very early. I realized that the teaching profession, needs strong individuals to nurture and prepare our children to become well skilled, honest and strong characters to lead and to survive in this ever-changing world. Thus, my personality and my desire to do just that and so much more propelled me to enter the teaching profession. My goal then, and now, continues to be to help to shape, train, and mold individuals to lead successful lives, evidenced by sound and wise decisions that affect their futures positively. In fact, isn’t that what is expected of all teachers?
Born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Thomas, I was privileged to have gone through the public-school system. During my tenure as an educator, I have emulated other educators who have blazed trails in education and left me excellent footprints in the sands of time to follow. I embrace this colossal task with a sense of humility. As I reflect on the role of many of my former teachers who took time with me as a student and used their expertise to make sure I was a well-rounded student, I am cognizant of the fact that I could do no less to Virgin Islands public school students. The impact they have had on my life had not only made it compulsory but necessary for me to make a difference in someone else’s life.
Success in many areas of employment depends on the ability of individuals to unite for the good of all. Teaching is no different. In the event that disagreements surfaces, and they are ever-present in the world of education, a teacher must be mature enough to agree to disagree for the common good of the majority.
To become an effective teacher, one must become a team player, since this is critical to an educator. I have been able to put this to work as I continue to contribute to the development of young minds in the Virgin Islands. I joined the staff at E. Benjamin Oliver 21 years ago and as Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed the buildings, my heart broke, but my resolve grew. I eventually found a new home at the Joseph Gomez A. Elementary school and when I thought I was in for the long haul, along came another invisible, destructive force—COVID-19.
These situations required a lot of teamwork and while it is a difficult proposition to face an uncertain future, and remain socially distanced, I still support my school family and the Virgin Islands Department of Education in this new virtual journey. When the days dawn a little gray, I breathe sunshine into my school day, my rallying cry is the borrowed campaign slogan of President Barack Obama – “Yes we Can.” Looking back over my years as a teacher, I know that I have grown mentally, socially, and emotionally. I am satisfied with all that I have accomplished, and I have no doubt that there is so many more blessings that are just within my grasp. I have positively impacted and influenced many.
I thank God, who I rely on for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to do what I do, and to be the best I can be. I do believe that my stint as Math Coach, assisting young and inexperienced teachers to find their niche in education, along with my role as a Math and Science teacher and my being a positive role model to so many public-school children and the Virgin Islands community as a whole, have cemented, in my mind, that these are my greatest contributions and accomplishments in education.
It always warms my heart, when, as grown adults, junior high or high school students rush up to me in public and blurt out, “Ms. Hodge, you remember me?” I sometimes fake forgetfulness then break into a big grin as they “refreshed” my memory. These encounters are worth more than gold, teaching provides long-term gratification.
