Ms. Grace Watty of Zicack, Portsmouth, who taught at the Portsmouth Secondary School (PSS) for 40 years of her 47 years of dedicated teaching has retired.

Grace Watty can be described as a quiet but formidable presence in the classroom, with a barely there, clever smile.

Watty attended the PSS and loved the institution so much that she returned to teach there and remained for 40 years.

Watty says that it has been 40 years of joy and she has loved every minute of teaching her students.

She says reminiscently, “Most of the students I have taught will remember me for teaching geography. When I meet some of them that I have taught, they will quote certain things that I taught in class. It is a pleasure hearing the students call me on the street when they see me”.

Watty says in her rather small voice, “I feel honored to have contributed to this institution for all these years”.

Mrs.Velma Nanthan Harris who taught at the Junior Secondary Program (JSP) of the Portsmouth Government School (Now Roosevelt Douglas Primary School) says that she will continue to teach though not in a ‘formal school setting’.

Mrs. Harris says enthusiastically, “All my life I have taught. From the time I entered the service, I have never stopped teaching. I really love teaching and I have enjoyed my experience”.

Harris fondly remembers one young man who was her best Math student but who was rather truant. She went to his grandmother to inquire after him and told her to tell him that Mr. Harris asked for him. When he returned to School, he received a spanking and a lecture reminding him of his potential and her desire to see him succeed. Today he is a doctor in the United states.

Harris says that she is grateful for the opportunity teaching provided her to impact the lives of her students and pass on her skills to students and share them with colleagues.

She says that she is a disciplinarian who is interested in the whole person inclusive of values and morals. She motivates her students and pushes them to achieve their full potential and willingly assists those in need of help.

Mrs. Harris says that her life now will be devoted to do the Lord’s work.

Mr. Ronald Austrie, principal of the PSS, was taught by Ms.Watty and worked alongside Mrs. Harris at the JSP. He thanked them for their years of dedicated service and says that they will be surely missed