By Dennise Williams, Staff ReporterAT first, Tamika Benjamin wanted to be a doctor. And while many of the sick would have benefited from her care and dedication, Jamaican students would be have been deprived of her zeal and determination.
Luckily for the students of this country, she didn't like the hours that medicine demanded and so decided to become a math teacher to help students who had a fear of math, as she once did. But Mrs. Benjamin didn't stop at being just a math teacher; she felt a need to make a difference in the educational system. And this need has culminated in the announcement by the Board of Governors of Mona Preparatory School to appoint, effective January 1, 2004, Mrs. Benjamin as principal of the school.
Mrs. Benjamin spoke to the Financial Gleaner about her life and the path to becoming a principal. "I was born in September of 1975 in Kingston. When I reached the University of the West Indies, in 1993, initially, I intended to do medicine.
FAMILY PERSON
But after recognising the time demands of the job, I decided to pursue a degree in Mathematics and Biochemistry. I am a family person and my time with my family is very important to me." She is married with two children.
"Since I had a strong fear of math when I was a child, I wanted to help students overcome their own fear. My first position was in September of 1996 at Wolmer's Girls School. After that first semester I knew I found my calling."
By the next year, Mrs. Benjamin completed an advanced degree in Teaching and by 1998 she did her Master's degree in Education.
She tells the Financial Gleaner that it is the interaction with students that makes teaching so attractive to her. "Being a mentor and providing guidance and encouragement to students are what motivate me. Teaching fills all the things that I am looking for in life." However, Mrs. Benjamin has advanced beyond being just a mere teacher. She is principal of one of the most respected prep schools on the island Mona Prep.
Before that, Mrs. Benjamin was principal of the Jamaica House Basic School. She admits that her rise up the ranks has been speedy.
"It has always been thought that I am mature for my years. I always had leadership skills and I was brave enough to apply for the principal position at Jamaica House."
In terms of what drove Mrs. Benjamin to become a principal she states, "I felt unfulfilled because being a teacher limited my ability to make any changes to the school's system that I saw as necessary. And I wanted to exercise the skills that I have. The board of Jamaica House had confidence in me and I thank them for taking the risk."
BROAD SCOPE
And for those who are not clear, Mrs. Benjamin explained the role of a school principal. "My scope is very broad. There are administrative tasks such as running the budget of the school. Within the budget, there are bills, maintenance and personnel to be paid. Then there are the disciplinary and supervisory aspects of the job. I am also an educator. Under my watch are the school's curriculum and the supervision of teachers. There is also the task of helping students who have special needs. It's a lot. I don't even think that I have covered everything. Another part of my job is setting goals and paying close attention to education trends locally and internationally."
Mrs. Benjamin shared a basic outline of the school's budget.
Revenues
School Fees 95 per cent
Concessionaire 3 per cent
Fund Raising 2 per cent
Expenses
Salaries 80 per cent
Remaining expenses 20 per cent
Utilities
Maintenance
Stationary
Teaching Supplies
Upkeep of Computers
However, the issue that plagues most schools is one of collection of school fees. While Mrs. Benjamin states that the parents of Mona Prep have a good track record of payments, vigilance must be kept, especially when parents balk at the school fees that are in the $30,000 per term price range. "It's getting more difficult to set fees at levels that parents see as reasonable. Parents don't see that the fees do not cover all the expenses of the school. And the effect of inflation is also something that hurts us as we set fees in the beginning of the year and prices rise during the term. Some parents see value in the product. Some don't. It's a trick to adequately balance the finances to meet unforeseen needs. We have to face the reality that running a school is a business." And as the manager of a successful 'business'. Mrs. Benjamin is not bothered that there is a long waiting list for students who want to enroll at Mona Prep. "The fact is that overall, the Jamaican educational system is not producing the best it can. So the clamour for spaces in quality prep schools is great. Mona has a reputation that is tried and tested. So what you will find is that people will apply years in advance. And our enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. I have no qualms about saying that."
As explained to the Financial Gleaner, "the school was built to serve the University of the West Indies, the University Hospital and the Mona community. But we try to accept a wide range of students and so we give scholarships to needy children. We don't want the school to be considered elitist."
Looking to the future, Mrs. Benjamin states, "part of my job is to develop a strategic plan for the school. For me as an educator, my vision is for the school to run in such a way for each student to reach their full potential." For up and coming teachers, Mrs. Benjamin admonishes, "take hold of all opportunities that are out there for further studies. Opportunities will come for educated persons because more organisations what teachers with Master's degrees. Don't wait on the Government to remunerate you, pay for your education on your own. Also, use the Internet to keep up with trends. And don't go into teaching just for a job. If you don't love what you are doing, it will be a dis-service to yourself and your students."
