PHOTOS BY IAN ALLEN, Staff Photographer -
The Rev. Dr. Donald Johnson, Spelling Bee coach and principal of Sanguinetti Primary School with students, Oshane and Nyoka.
HE'S NO prophet, but principal of Sanguinetti Primary in Clarendon, the Rev. Dr. Donald Johnson was confident his spellers would do well in the Clarendon Parish Final.
He even told the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) they would take the top two places. The students made him look like a genius as Oshane Williams came first and his cousin Nyoka Williams came second. His confidence came, in part, from his being not only principal, but also the coach.
"One of our spellers came fifth two years ago and I was determined from January (2004) that we would win," he stated. He has been interested in the Spelling Bee for years. "I realise that it was one of those things that could give children exposure. It instils a certain level of confidence. So I did everything I could to get involved in it."
He spotted five students whom he felt had the potential and by November, it was down to two. He recalls the work put in by both, starting training promptly at noon, and giving them certain pages to study overnight. He explained his strategy, not just for the mechanics of spelling, but the mental aspect of it.
SOME SECRETS
"I teach them not to be in haste to spell. Pronounce the syllables and spell the words in their minds before saying anything. They have to compete against high school children but I tell them that they are students just like them. Just study the book because they are getting the same words."
Principal at Sanguinetti for 12 years, Rev. Johnson is also pastor of the Grace Temple Apostolic Church and hosts a programme on Love 101 FM. His work with the ministers' fraternal is never-ending. But he has no regrets about any of it, especially the Spelling Bee. He even has plans for the future.
"This year I think the exposure will be good for us. But what we want to do is start a spelling club so we can have a greater pool of students to choose from," he remarked.
It seems Sanguinetti Primary is determined to hold on to the parish trophy for a while.
