NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2024 30 THE JAMAICA Teachers’ Association Pre-Service Forum took place on February 29, at the head offices of the JTA, Kingston. The day’s activities were aimed at educating teachers-in-training on the role and function of the JTA. Attending the meeting were students from Mico University College, Moneague College, GC Foster College, the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), St. Joseph’s, Sam Sharpe, Church, Bethlehem, and Shortwood teachers colleges. Moderator for the programme, Annoina Jones, a member of the Professional Advancement Committee (PAC), highlighted the theme for the forum: ‘Igniting the passion; empowering future educators’. Among the officials attending were Mark Smith, President-Elect, representing the current President, Leighton Johnson; La Sonja Harrison, Immediate Past President; Clayton Hall, Deputy General Secretary, representing Dr Mark Nicely, Secretary General, and Dr Margaret Chin, Asst Secretary General for Professional Services, who outlined the activities for the day. Guest speaker was Jameilia Cruckshand. Ms Cruckshand used the 5E plan for writing and executing lesson plans as a guide for life’s journey for the teachers in training. She fashioned this method as an adventure that young teachers can use to shape their practice. She suggested that teachers should use the 5E programme – engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate – as they participate in activities in seeking to teach and develop their students. Ms Cruckshand charged the young teachers to be promoters of transformative experiences for their learners; moving forward with a unified purpose, to ignite the flame of learning thus bringing forth a brighter future for all. Byron Farquharson immediate past Secretary General of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) spoke on the rise of JTA and its achievements. Mr Farquharson highlighted the Vision of the JTA, and the Mission Statement, and spoke about the history of the Association from its formation 60 years ago. He also spoke about its administrative and political structure, regional offices, and functions all aimed at representing teachers and seeing to their personal and professional well-being. Educator Darien Henry moderated the rap session in which college students were the panelists. The topic was – What is the role of Artificial Intelligence in the Teacher Preparation Programme. The discussion suggested that principals should have sensitization sessions in their own schools. It was suggested that continuous staff development should incorporate ChatGPT and other AI tools to complement teacher delivery. It was argued that AI continues to evolve in the teaching and learning environments. Clarise Johnson from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse made a presentation that informed the teachers in training how to detect signs of abuse in students and to warn them of the importance of reporting suspicious as well as known cases of abuse. The final presentation was an interactive session with a few Past Presidents, namely – Nadine Molloy, acting principal of Shortwood Teachers’ College; Doran Dixon, in charge of property and business services for the JTA; Judith SpencerJarrett and Patrick Smith. Each of the former presidents highlighted some of the high points and challenges of his or her presidency. THE JTA KEEPS PASSING THE TORCH This participant is all smiles as she reacted to some of the information being disseminated. An almost equal number of males and females were in attendance. Two of the students review material presented to them at the forum. There were gifts for most of the participants. Here, some of those who received theirs pose for the camera. Teachers-in-training get immersion in professional challenges and opportunities at JTA forum JTA 60TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE
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