Shirley ... an icon of teacher education. - Contributed
THE MINISTRY of Education, Youth and Culture notes with a profound sense of remorse, the death of Renford A. Shirley, a compassionate, devoted educator, who served the teaching profession for over 50 years with such distinction and unimpaired principles.
We remember Mr. Shirley as one of the cornerstones of national development because of the many people he helped to become productive members of the society.
A distinguished product of The Mico College, Mr. Shirley spent his working life as an educator non-pareil, committed to the goal of excellence and achievement of success. Having served as a teacher and principal at several rural schools, he was always driven by a passion to use education and training as an effective vehicle for the spiritual, economic and social development of the 'nation's children', especially rural children.
AN ICON
Mr. Shirley was an icon of teacher education. He was one of the first two Miconians to have risen from the rank of student to principal. As a leader of that noble institution, for over 30 years, he secured a place in Jamaica's history as a man who impacted the lives of thousands of Jamaicans, extending his influence beyond the walls of the Mico to even the farthest parts of the world.
His 15 years as principal was a most productive tenure, spawning significant expansion of the college plant and programmes to include, among other achievements, the Mico Youth Counselling Centre, the building which houses the new library and INAFCA museum now fitly named after him and the introduction of the degree programme in special education.
'Brother Shirls', as he was affectionately called, served as chairman of the Mico Practising School board and supervisor of the Mico Evening College since its inception. His commitment to adult education spawned 15 years of impeccable service to the Jamaican Council for Adult Education (JACAE) climaxing in an illustrious presidency in 1986.
The Jamaica Association of Teacher Educators (JATE) and Joint Committee on Tertiary Education (JCTE) for which he was the first chairman benefited tremendously from his insightful leadership. The Jamaica Teachers Associa-tion, the Mico Old Students Association, the Mico Foundation and the Joint Board of Teacher Education were enriched by his yeoman contribution.
Several organisations had attested to his commitment and outstanding service in education through awards of excellence. These include the JTA Golden Torch; the Mico Old Students Service Medal; the Mico 150th Anniversary Award; the JCTE first award for the Most Outstanding Educator in 1994 and the Order of Distinction in 1988.
A CARING MAN
The greatest monument to his memory, however, was his relationship with students, colleagues at all levels and with people generally. His deep love for those whom he served singled him out as an extraordinary, thoughtful, sensitive and caring man. A champion of "poor people's children" as well as the underdog, he invariably adopted a redemptive leadership style in dealing with those who were very often written off by others, always looking past the present circumstances to unearth the potential that he was convinced all humans have.
GOOD QUALITIES
As an optimist and strategist, it was he who kept the doors of Mico open in the early '80s, providing three meals per day for his students, from a meagre budget, when all other teacher-training colleges were folding under budgetary constraints.
Mr. Shirley's ebullient wit, keen sense of humour and his ability to relate with ease to young people are qualities which will be greatly missed in an environment where young minds are being trained to mould the lives of younger minds.
Throughout his illustrious career he gave incalculable service, with critical ingredients of care, dedication, professional competence and a genuine desire to help others achieve success.
We eulogise him for the legacy of Christian living that he has left for us and for epitomising the motto of the college he served so selflessly whatever his hands found to do, he did, with his might. He did it the only way he knew how the Shirlean way.
