Minister for Education Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries, and Agriculture, Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (D7), 2nd from right, presents a bouquet of flowers to retired educator Mrs H. Lynden Smith MBE, 2nd from left, for her work in literacy in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook

Mrs H. Lynden Smith MBE, right, was selected for the Ministry of Education's Literacy Award because of her long-standing engagement with literacy and for always championing the call for reading. Photo: Facebook

The now-retired Smith served in various capacities in education from 1956 to 2003.

She commenced her journey as an educator on May 15, 1956, as a pupil-teacher at the East End Methodist School. She then elevated to the post of class teacher, then Acting Principal at the Long Look Methodist School, before taking up the post as Principal at Willard Wheatley Primary School.

Stellar service

Mrs Smith held other positions during her public service career, including as Education Officer for Reading and Teacher Training at the Ministry of Education and Culture.

During that time, she earned an Associateship in Education at the New Castle University in the United Kingdom, an Advanced Diploma at the Cambridge Institute in Cambridge, United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at the Inter-American University in Puerto Rico, and graduated summa cum laude in her class.

Some of her honorary achievements include her work in the establishment of the East End/ Long Look Community Library, and the Reading is Fun Week during her time as an Education Officer.

Literacy Award

“Mrs Lynden Smith has been selected for the Virgin Islands Ministry of Education Literacy Award because of her long-standing engagement with literacy and for always championing the call for reading,” Education Officer for Languages Janice George-Harris said.

The inscription on the award read, “Reading is Fun Week Literacy Award presented to Mrs H. Lynden Smith MBE for your contribution in literacy development in the Virgin Islands on this 10th day, October 2021.”

The Elmore Stoutt High School Steel Orchestra, Ebenezer Thomas Primary, Jost van Dyke Primary and Bregado Flax Educational Centre students also performed poems, skits and songs during the event.