SHEILA EVANGELINE James has been a beacon of light to her blind and visually impaired students at the Salvation Army for the Blind for almost, 40 years. As such, she is one of the recipients of the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful service, to the visually impaired.
In addition to the primary subjects, this grade three teacher gives piano, re-corder and singing lessons. Today, some members of the Unique Vision Band and the pianist in the Fab Five Band are the products of her tutelage.
Miss James, who is also visually impaired, was diagnosed with optic atrophy at an early age. This, however, did not deter her from pursuing her ambition of becoming a teacher, following in her mother's footsteps.
She attended regular classes at the Salters Hill Primary, Duncan's Primary, Westwood High School and Shortwood Teachers' College. Miss James used a noiseless typewriter, from high school onward, to record her information and was assisted by the generosity of fellow students and teachers who read to her.
It was also during her high school years, that this determined young woman began to learn Braille a system of writing and printing for the blind.
The modest teacher of 38 years of unbroken service says, "I think I have learnt more than I have imparted."
Her students continue to exhibit a keen interest in music and are involved at the professional level. This is evidence by their presence at the Jamaica School of Music at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
