Celebrating the Teachers Shaping Belize’s Future
More Than a Classroom: The Impact of Belizean Teachers
Today’s episode of Open Your Eyes celebrated the educators who play a critical role in shaping Belize’s future, ahead of World Teachers’ Day on October 5.
Joining the conversation were Alisha Craig, Infant 1 and 2 Teacher at Wesley Lower School; Sandra Perez, Infant 2 Teacher at St. Martin De Porres Primary School & Samson Jacobs, Teaching Vice Principal at Sadie Vernon Technical High School;
The educators shared their experiences in the classroom, what keeps them passionate about teaching, and the lasting impact they hope to have on their students.
The Reward of Seeing Students Grow
For the teachers, one of the most rewarding aspects of the profession is witnessing students develop and succeed.
Craig, who works with students at the infant level, spoke about the transformation she sees throughout the school year—from children who may initially struggle with reading and writing to students who develop those skills and become excited about learning.
Perez similarly emphasized the value of seeing children grow and having the opportunity to meet their individual needs. For her, knowing that she played a role in a child’s development provides a strong sense of pride and purpose.
Jacobs, who has been teaching for 14 years, highlighted another rewarding part of the profession: encountering former students later in life and hearing them express gratitude for the guidance and discipline they received.
Teaching as a Passion
The discussion emphasized that teaching extends far beyond delivering lessons from a curriculum.
Jacobs explained that teachers need to genuinely love what they do in order to connect with their students and get the best out of them. He shared that moments when a student finally understands something after repeated guidance are among the experiences that keep him motivated.
For Craig, connecting classroom lessons to real-life situations is particularly important. She explained that students need to understand why they are learning something and how that knowledge can be applied beyond the classroom.
Perez emphasized the importance of being intentional when teaching and understanding the individual needs of each student. With Belize’s competency-based curriculum, she noted that teachers must carefully plan activities that help students master specific skills.
Challenges Facing Teachers
While the teachers spoke about the rewards of their profession, they also highlighted several challenges that educators continue to face.
One issue discussed was the financial burden placed on teachers, who sometimes use their own money to purchase classroom materials and even assist students who may arrive at school without enough food or other basic necessities.
Teacher shortages were also raised as a concern, along with challenges surrounding parental involvement and support.
Jacobs noted that schools can struggle to attract teachers to vacant positions. He also discussed the importance of parents collecting report cards, providing school supplies, and remaining involved in their children’s education.
Another challenge highlighted was the negative perception surrounding some schools, particularly schools located in vulnerable communities, which can affect their ability to attract and retain students.
Addressing Learning Gaps
The educators also discussed concerns about students reaching higher grades without having fully developed foundational reading and writing skills.
The conversation raised questions about how students progress through different stages of the education system when they have significant learning gaps.
The teachers stressed that addressing these gaps requires shared responsibility between educators, parents, students, and the wider community.
Jacobs pointed to a gap that can emerge between primary and secondary education, explaining that secondary-level teachers may be expected to teach their subject areas while students arrive needing additional support with foundational reading skills.
Craig emphasized that teachers may need to adapt their approach and return to basic skills when necessary, using strategies such as phonics, word blending, songs, and sight words to help students strengthen their reading abilities.
Celebrating the People Behind the Profession
As World Teachers’ Day approaches, the educators also reflected on what meaningful appreciation looks like.
Beyond gifts and celebrations, they emphasized the importance of recognizing the work teachers do both inside and outside the classroom.
The conversation also highlighted how teachers can leave a lasting impact on students long after they leave school. From academic knowledge to character development, discipline, confidence, and life skills, educators often become influential figures whose lessons remain with their students for years.
As Belize celebrates its teachers, the message from the educators on Open Your Eyes was clear: teaching is not simply about completing a lesson plan. It is about connecting with students, identifying their needs, helping them grow, and contributing to the people they eventually become.