OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Tatline Brown Rose was born to be a teacher. For four years before she got a job at Clapham Basic School in Moneague, St Ann she taught neighbourhood children from her house.
“I always wanted to do teaching… Children would always come along my pathway and I would take time to help them in whatever area I could,” she said.
The 85-year-old has seen the basic school grow over the years, and its students with it. She taught there for more than 20 years.
“When I started teaching there were about 16 children at the school, it was a small school and we made it work. I have to say it was the greatest years of my life because I loved my job very much. I am a lover of children and so I was happy to be among them,” she told the Jamaica Observer.
In January 1991, Rose was elected to head the basic school, then housed in a small room inside Clapham Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“The former teacher was a lady and she got sick and decided to leave the district. There was a vote [within] the community to determine who should take up the post and all the votes came in my favour. I was so happy!” said Rose.
