By Khamisi Slowe
Teaching is not just a job but a lifelong passion for Headmistress Jennifer Cumberbatch, who has stood firm and steadfast as a lighthouse guiding generations of students toward knowledge and self-discovery. A symbol of unwavering commitment to students and the community, she celebrates a remarkable 50 years of dedication to her profession this year, but her story is not just about a long career; it’s a tapestry woven with love, perseverance, and a profound belief in the transformative power of education.
Cumberbatch’s journey began as a pupil teacher after she left high school in 1974, when she first stepped into the classroom of Cummings Lodge Primary School, excited yet nervous. “I remember my first day vividly,” she recalled with a smile. Professing a genuine love of teaching, she said she was determined to make a lasting impact on the lives of her students from the start of her career. In 1975, she joined the then Guyana Teachers College now known as the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), where she spent two years training and acquired her teacher’s certificate.