– main ingredients in Garfield Pollydore’s recipe for success
In life, there will always be surprises and unexpected challenges; nevertheless, we have to accept what is in front of us and keep forging ahead. Those surprises and challenges do not determine the course our lives take rather it is our very reaction to those challenges.
When life kept throwing surprises in the direction of Garfield Charles Pollydore, trying to mow him down, he only came out stronger. His dedication towards making his life better was motivation enough for him to keep catapulting to greater heights.
The 28-year-old Berbician came from humble beginnings. He knew what struggle and poverty were. His mother, Esther Pollydore Haywood did the best she could have as a single mother raising three boys. She was dedicated and a hard worker, and it is from her lessons that he draws inspiration now.
Garfield is now a trained teacher at the St Therese’s Primary School in Berbice and has been there for almost four years. However, the journey to get there was one that was filled with bums along the way.
As a child growing up in Angoy’s Avenue in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Garfield knew what it was to have a limited life. His mother was a Ward Maid at the New Amsterdam Hospital and with the little money she made, she ensured that there was always food on the table, clothes on their backs and enough to afford them the opportunity at gaining a quality education.
He was never a high achiever in school and, in fact, while a student at the St Therese’s Primary, the same school he now teaches at, he often failed his subjects. After he sat the Common Entrance Examinations, he was awarded a place at Canje Secondary School and it was from there his upward trajectory began.
“I got 408 marks and was placed at a school which everybody used to call ‘cowboy school’. To myself, it wasn’t bad at all because nobody wanted to go to Vrymen’s Erven and Overwinning back then because those schools as people would say is for only dunce. There is no such thing as a dunce. Everyone has a special need. Some persons develop very late in their school life. But that’s okay too. It doesn’t matter,” he said.
He can speak about late academic development, because he has experienced it. In secondary school, Garfield started to develop and became one of the most respected students there. He was a Class Monitor for four of the five years and was later appointed the Head Prefect. He was disciplined and humble, and that led to him representing his school at debating competitions, science fairs and other school competitions.
“In 2007, I wrote six subjects at CXC; I was successful in three subjects: Agricultural Science, Social Studies, Integrated Science. I failed Biology, Mathematics and English. I then attended NATI (New Amsterdam Technical Institute) 2008-2010; I did Diploma in Computer Science. I wrote the GTEE examination in 2010. I got A- for Mathematics; A- for Statistics; B for English, which I was very poor in; Computer Hardware — A; and Software — B+; Programming — B+. Those were my grades. I got credit for the course I took and I graduated as the third best graduating student. I still have the little trophy I was honoured with on my shelf.
“After then, I sought employment and worked for Futureline Fast Food Restaurant and Chester Fried Chicken in New Amsterdam. Then I got hired by a company called Amaco Inn. Like every job, there were challenges. Then, in February of 2012, I gained employment with the Government at the Regional Democratic Council as an Office Assistant. At the RDC, I was given the opportunity by my supervisor to attend evening classes. I wrote CXC Mathematics and English twice. In the year 2012, I got Grade Three for English and Four in Mathematics. I wrote the same subjects back in 2015 and got Grade Two in Mathematics and Grade Three for English.”
After re-sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, Garfield decided to apply to the Education Ministry for the position of teacher. It was the commencement of a waiting game, one he somewhat lost faith in.
After a long wait, the Teaching Services Commission made contact and that is where the journey began.
“I was employed by the Ministry of Education on February 12, 2016, which was also my 25th birthday. I was confident that this job was divine and orchestrated by the God of this universe. I attended Cyril Potter College of Education from 2016-2018. I graduated last year December — 2018, as a trained qualified teacher. My job helps me to be a role model and leader in my society. I am constantly engaged in many activities such as the STEM fair under the Department of Education in Region Six among other things.”
“Education is the passport out of poverty. Today I can afford to buy food, clothing and so much that my mom couldn’t afford to do for me. She has been my motivator and greatest inspiration to life. She gave me that opportunity and I made good use of it. It is not the school which you attend but the sacrifice, commitment and determination you as an individual must put in to become successful.”
