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College of The Bahamas Commissioning Ceremony for Education Graduands Held
By Office of Communication
May 27, 2015 - 12:53:32 AM

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COB_collage_2.jpg
Top Left: Dr. Higgs receives a plaque as a thank-you for her address at the ceremony. Bottom Left: Group photo of the School of Education graduands with Dean Ruth Sumner. Bottom Right: One of the graduands being pinned at the ceremony.

The latest graduands from The College of The Bahamas' School of Education were formally welcomed into the community of educators on Tuesday, in a ceremony that has become a staple event on the COB Commencement Calendar.

Approximately 100 graduating students participated in the annual Teachers' Commissioning Ceremony held at The College’s Performing Arts Centre.

Guest speaker at the ceremony, former Senator Dr. Jacintha Higgs, Principal of Akhepron International Academy, implored the graduands to evaluate their motives, goals and ability to effectively guide children towards their destinies.

“What is your end goal? How are you going to transform the nation and impact the world? Your end goal should always be about changing the course for others to lead a better life, a better life history, to fulfilling your life’s purpose to which you were born and to which they were born and for you to be a beacon to advance and to elevate humanity,” she said in an impassioned address.

In giving the graduands much food for thought, Dr. Higgs urged balance in their approach to education and leadership.

“Are your motives pure? Teaching is a very powerful position because you have the domain of your own classroom. Be very careful; don’t let it cause you to waiver in your divine selfhood. Balance your heart with your brain. The children need both,” she said.

“If any of you have any unresolved issues do not go and stand before the children because that young Bahamian guy is waiting on you to help him….the little girl is waiting on you so if you are going in there carrying in your two-pound heart some grudges, you won’t have space in your heart to embrace them…” Dr. Higgs added.

In his remarks, COB President Dr. Rodney D. Smith reminded the graduating students that their influence as teachers will extend far beyond the classroom. 

“In your care and under your influence will be children and young adults from many different backgrounds. They will require your expertise, not only to educate them, but to help shape them into engaged members of our society,” Dr. Smith said.

“My advice to you as new teachers is to be kind. A little kindness will go a long way in helping you to create the right atmosphere in your classroom and develop healthy relationships with your students,” he added.

The Teachers’ Commissioning Ceremony was the 5th of its kind held by The College to commission those entering the teaching profession. In addition to pledging to promote equity in education, facilitate active learning and uphold integrity, honesty and professionalism, the graduands were also symbolically pinned as part of the rite of passage.

Graduand Franchesca Sears looks forward to assuming her role as a religious studies teacher.

“I had my junior high and high school religion teachers who inspired me and I feel that going forward, especially in the high schools, students need to be grounded spiritually as they go into the real world,” she said. “My time at COB has been an awesome experience and I intend to pursue my master’s (degree) in a major to be determined.”

Spanish education major Anthony Young was overcome by a sense of accomplishment.

“I felt like I was accomplishing something finally. Today seemed so far away…

…The School of Education was really tough on us in terms of being on time and getting our work in. The whole education system is overwhelming at times but it keeps you on top of things. It prepares you,” he said.

The ceremony is the first of five marking the Commencement season for The College. The others – including the formal Commencement Ceremony – are being held throughout this week.

The College's 2015 Commencement Class comprises more than 550 persons, the majority of whom are earning baccalaureate degrees.

COB_collage_1.jpg
Top: From left are, Dean, Faculty of Social and Educational Studies Dr. Ruth Sumner, Dr. Jacintha Higgs and Cob President Dr. Rodney D. Smith. Bottom Left: Dr. Jacintha Higgs addresses the graduands. Bottom Right: School of Education graduands participate in the Teachers’ Commissioning Ceremony.


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