Ms. Nicola Maduro said her job is to inspire students to be more than what they are and achieve their dreams. Photo: VINO

Ms. Maduro Graduated fro the University of the Virgin Islands in 2011 where she received her bachelor of arts in Mathematics

Ms. Maduro expressed that from since she was a kid she always dreamt of being a teacher. She added that this is the first career she was exposed to and her first teacher Mrs. Nichols, made a great impact on her life, so from an early age she decided that she wants to be like her teacher, who she admired so much.

As much as Nicola always wanted to be a teacher, she wanted to teach primary school but as she got older, her mind changed and she decided that she prefers to be at the secondary level where there is more free time.

Our Young Professional said that she had doubts before becoming a teacher, and wondered if she would be able to bring across the knowledge in a way that the students can understand and grasp it and if she can handle the students and their behaviour, but nothing stopped her dream.

“My job is to inspire the students to be more and to achieve their dreams.”
Ms. Maduro has been teaching for 10 years, starting straight out of high school.

She attended the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School as a child and later attended the then BVI High School where she graduated in 2001, then furthered her education at the Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) from 2003 to 2005.

She attended the University of the Virgin Islands in the Fall of 2008, ending in December 2011 where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics.

The proud Mathematics Teacher said that as much as she loves teaching, it has its challenges.

“The only challenge I have within the school is the attitude of the children.” She added that some of the students, “don’t like to read, interpret and understand, but it is my job to get them to.”

She stated that every teacher has their own way to make sure their students learn as much as they can. Ms. Maduro mentioned that as a teacher she realised that the students are more receptive when new stuff, specifically technology is brought into the class room.

“They are more attentive, they want to see what is it that teacher is going to do with this,” she said, adding that as a young teacher, she too is attracted to technology.

Our Young Professional assured us that the road was not an easy one and she stated that while in college there were professors who discouraged her, who gave her a very hard time, who made things very difficult and challenging, but she never gave up.

Another challenge for Ms. Maduro was finishing UVI after she got her son Jaden Maduro back in 2011.

Despite her challenges, she said that her mother Ms. Phyllis Inniss, was always there to help. She had gratitude for her mother who she said polished her life and made her who she is today.

“My mother has always been there for me, whenever I needed advice she’s always there to give me that mature parental advice, when I want to make a decision she is always there to give me the right input, my mother is my motivation.”

Ms. Maduro said she admires her so much because of the fact that her mother was not fortunate to have an education and despite her age, she never gave up and is currently working on her academic education now. “This motivates me”.

Looking back, the only thing in her life she said she would change is not attending a college within the region and would have rather attended one in the United States.

Other than working, she enjoys travelling, exploring the sea and spending time with her family.

Ms. Maduro is not as yet associated with any social groups but was approached by the Women of Power and High Potential (WOPAHP) and she is very interested.

“I just want to thank my mother, teachers and all the persons who contributed to my life, and making my milestone a reality.”

To the youth of the Virgin Islands, Ms. Maduro advises them to “never let anyone’s negativity stop you from accomplishing your dream and always try to prove them wrong.”