Tredegar Park Early Childhood Institution’s principal passes the test

The wide-eyed potential of preschoolers and being gifted the opportunity to mould their formative years rouses Phoebe WIlliams-Brown out of slumber each morning.

As principal of the Tredegar Park Early Childhood Institution for the last two years, she remains as passionate today, as she was back in May 2022 when the offer to assume administrative oversight of the St Catherine-based school was extended by its then chairman Valrie Williams.

"The honesty and innocence of the children are what continue to inspire me every day...I truly believe that laying the right foundation for young children helps shape them into curious, lifelong learners," an enthused Williams-Brown explained. "For me, education isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to contribute to something bigger than myself. The joy of watching a child succeed, whether it’s through a breakthrough  moment in learning or, by fostering positive relationships, is what keeps me passionate about being an educator."

While consciously living in the present, the principal switches to a ruminative mood, charting the road she's travelled, taking the school founded in 1984 by Sheila Marsh, through several phases of revamp. First, there was the name change from Tredegar Park Basic to its current moniker, when the doors reopened following its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Next up, and most critical in her new post: the extensive refurbishment of Tredegar Park's infrastructure, which had fallen into varied degrees of disrepair.

"I always had the strong desire to be a part of a school in a rural [area], bringing in the best resources and opportunities for its children," she mused. "When this opportunity presented itself, I knew it was one I couldn’t pass up. Despite the school's condition, at the time, I felt determined to make a real difference and transform it into a place that would not only benefit the students but also the entire community."

The Tredegar Park Early Childhood Institution principal in conversation with Robert White, managing director at Sanmerna Paper Products and the school's main benefactor.

Detailing the rehabilitation, the administrator recounted, "I initially thought the renovation process would be a simple, straightforward task: roof, windows, and painting. However, as the project unfolded, it produced one challenge after another. Issues with the electrical system, plumbing, and more hidden problems emerged, all needing urgent attention. As I worked diligently to meet the [requirements] set by the Early Childhood Commission, it became increasingly clear that the process was much more complex than I had anticipated. It’s been quite the experience, one that has truly shown me who I am as an individual."

With the upgrades and maintenance eliciting significant investment, she lauded Robert White, managing director at Sanmerna Paper Products, for his support of the renovation project from the very beginning. "The school would not be where it is today without him. He has brought other supporters on board," she divulged.

A graduate of the Dinthill Technical High School Class of 1997, Williams-Brown's mindset in early adulthood led her in the direction of a sales & marketing career.

This saw her working as an automotive sales representative at the local Toyota and Kia car dealerships, over a combined five-year period. But her true calling was yet to manifest.

She first dipped her toes in the waters of early childhood education, when a friend repeatedly invited her to take a teaching position at Little Busy Bee Basic School. A piqued Williams-Brown would eventually acquiesce, igniting an explosive spark within.

Relishing this unexpected detour, she stayed at that school for three years, and while doing so, began her pursuit of a Level-2 certification at the HEART Trust/NTA Stony Hill Academy. She then transitioned to her next job, in a lateral role, at the Providence Methodist Early Childhood Institution, where she worked another three years. Providence Methodist's principal Catherine Smith-Gayle, who had managed the school for over 40 years, "became a mentor and inspiration [to] me," the Tredegar Park principal shared.

"She took all the teachers under her wings and gave us responsibilities that unearth our strengths. Mrs Smith-Gayle modelled the behaviour of a true leader. She was accessible, believed in self-development, and was knowledgeable about what she crafts.... One thing she would often say, “What children do, they remember,” ...and remember best through hands-on experiences."

Her mentor's influence and encouragement spurred Williams-Brown toward higher education, which jump-started her current quest to attain a bachelor's degree in early childhood education at the Shortwood Teachers' College. "I’m the only teacher in my family, and the first to pursue a university education, so finishing my studies is a really big deal [to] me," she reflected. "It’s something I’m deeply passionate about, and I’ve set my sights on a master’s degree and ultimately lecturing. I want to share everything I’ve learned with young educators because I believe in the power of nurturing new talent in the field."

Tredegar Park educator Natasha Pitter has the rapt attention of the students during a teaching session.

Now, a leading lady of her own school — with a support staff of two teachers and cook — catering to a student population of 30, aged 2 to 5 years, and culled from the surrounding communities including Gravel Heights, St. Jago Meadows, Lauriston, Orange Grove and Haile Selassie Heights. On the to-do list of operations, the principal said: "The teachers’ daily activities involve preparing the classroom, leading lessons based on the Early-Childhood Curriculum Guide, and ensuring the facility is ready for each day. They also collaborate during planning sessions and communicate regularly with parents."

Shifting attention to the early childhood institution's Tredegar Park neighbourhood, the principal pointed out that the community has a troubled past. "When Googled, the Tredegar Park massacre comes up. [This] was a tragic incident over 10 years ago, and gun violence still casts its shadow over the community. However, the area has been violence-free for many years, but the reputation lives on. The community's schools were deeply affected and, ever since, have been rebuilding. As for Tredegar Park Early Childhood Institution, the image of the school has been changing. For the first time in the school's history, it has a fire certificate, a health certificate, and a permit from the Early Childhood Commission to operate. I believe that every child, particularly early learners, should have access to the best programmes and resources, in a clean, fun environment to learn.

The two-year evolution of the school [with Williams-Brown at the helm has not been without its challenges.

She pinpointed inconsistent funding as a niggling issue. "Running the school as a business involves managing the financial complexities, such as ensuring timely payment of fees, budgeting for resources to cover operational costs, and this is even made harder with families facing socio-economic constraints," she said. "The school is not yet fully financially self-sufficient. While we strive to generate revenue through tuition and mini-fundraisers, there are still costs related to the ongoing renovation, staff salaries, [and] equipment that the school needs [as well as] facility maintenance. Most families find it difficult to [make] consistent fee payments that impact the overall financial stability of the school. We are working to overcome these obstacles by exploring additional funding sources.

And, speaking on an even more pervasive hurdle that her administration stays vigilant in tackling, Williams-Brown pointed out. "Some parents still view early childhood education as just daycare, often due to a lack of awareness of its importance...[not] understanding that [early-childhood] education is an investment in their child’s future, and not just a place to keep them busy has yet to ring through."

Playtime for the preschoolers at the Tredegar Park Early Childhood Institution

Williams-Brown revealed that the school faced its greatest financial challenges this year but managed to pull through. "I was able to pay my teachers before they went off on Christmas holiday and I didn’t know how I was gonna do that. 2024 has been filled with what seems to be small wins; meeting requirements and standards. Even though I only took home $700, I felt so accomplished because of everything I had managed to achieve over the year," she said.

For this 43-year-old educator — a mother to two Queen's School student-daughters, aged 17 and 12 —)her mettle has been tried and tested, not just from the school's overhaul, but through the behind-the-scenes rumblings that arose when her appointment as the school's lead was officially announced. "The process wasn’t free from controversy, especially by some persons, who believed the task should have been given to someone from their own ranks," she recalled. "There were doubts about whether I was the right person for the job, given that I wasn’t from the community. These tensions only grew after the renovation began to take shape, with even the funds allocated for the school from the Diaspora being withheld, to this day, because I wasn't the approved operator. Despite this, I only got braver. I was determined to see the process through. It only added to our story of resilience and transformation."

Williams-Brown is quick to make it clear that all successes attained thus far, have been by no means a solo job.

 "The renewal of the school has been a collective effort, with many individuals contributing along the way. My family, friends, like-minded business operators, and community members - locally and abroad - have been invaluable in offering their unwavering support, both personally, and for the school in various capacities. The former principal and operator has been a source of support, and I am also deeply grateful to my dedicated teachers whose hard work and commitment make it possible to manage the daily operations. I truly couldn’t do it without them."

Forging ahead with unbridled optimism, the Tredegar Park principal said her vision plan for the school is to create an innovative approach that nurtures each pupil's growth.

She would love to start a herb and vegetable garden, where the children can plant and harvest in the immediate future. "On a small scale, we've already started this journey by planting bok choy, bananas, and plantains," Williams-Brown shared. "I would be wonderful to expand this initiative, allowing the children to learn about nature and the environment, and eventually enjoy the fruits of their labour by eating what we’ve grown together."

The educator has even bigger dreams.

"[I want] to provide sponsorship opportunities for the students, to ensure that regardless of their background, each child can benefit from the school’s resources," she posited. "A key priority is to complete the school's [longstanding] renovation, including the addition of [larger] classrooms with learning centres. I would also like to establish a nursery programme for toddlers, and legacy classrooms, an inclusive space, where children with disabilities can learn alongside their [ableist] peers, fostering a sense of equality and collaboration [among] all. In the end, the goal is to build a school that is not only a centre of academic excellence but, also, a place where diversity, inclusion, and holistic development are at the core of everything."

By Omar Tomlinson