Sabrina Dookie is a secondary school science teacher hailing from Mahaicony. She has been teaching science-based subjects for over 12 years at Mahaicony Secondary School (MSS) and the Fraser’s Educational Institute (FEI).
There she teaches Biology, Integrated Science, and Human and Social Biology at the CSEC level. Dookie was born and raised in Mahaicony and is a graduate senior assistant mistress. She currently holds a master’s degree in Forest Biology from the University of Guyana.
Dookie noted that her dream was to be a scientist and not a teacher. However, at age 16, she joined the noble profession. “In my final years as a student at Mahaicony Secondary School, my dad became ill with a nervous disorder and had to reduce the amount of work he did on a daily basis. So, I applied and was appointed at Mahaicony Secondary School in 2010 so that I could start contributing financially to our home,” she noted.
“I think one of the hardest things that I had to endure was trying to meet deadlines and, at the same time, trying to set standards for the work that I completed at the Cyril Potter College of Education and at the University of Guyana.
“I had to travel from Mahaicony to Georgetown every day, sometimes coming home at midnight and having to get up and do it all over again the next day.
“Of course, there were financial strains and struggles to keep up with- work deadlines (especially preparing students for CSEC examinations)- but one thing that I have learned is ‘with proper time management, you are always consistent in the work you produce,’” was her response to managing both work and attending university.
As the years progressed, Sabrina began to appreciate her job, since she had the opportunity to teach some wonderful and talented students.
She added, “I was also able to work with very skilled and experienced teachers who helped me to understand my role as a teacher in the lives of students and in society as a whole. Teaching also provided a platform for many different opportunities, and it allowed me to work and study at the same time, which brought me closer to my dream of becoming a scientist.”
Being introverted by nature, teaching has helped Dookie to develop her public speaking and communication skills. It also helped her understand the various personalities of people, the challenges that they face, and how they cope with them.
Most importantly, teaching also allowed her to develop decision-making and problem-solving skills since teachers are constantly faced with numerous decisions daily.
One of her biggest challenges is how to cope with the negativity emanating from society.
She highlighted, “We live in a world full of negative people who will always have an issue with or an opinion of you or your actions, usually in a negative sense. One of the ways that I try to deal with this is to not compare myself to other people. Expectation is the root of all heartache. I am on my own path, and I have my own goals and dreams that I would like to achieve. I may take longer than others, but I know that I will get there in my own time, and in the right way.”
Dookie is passionate about science as she has always liked the idea of exploring the unknown and trying to make sense of the universe we live in.
“Being an environmentalist, I am always cognisant of our surroundings and the impacts that we as humans have on biodiversity. In the future, I plan on furthering my studies in the academic sciences. During that period, I hope to reach out to all those interested in STEM and environmental conservation education by fostering meaningful connections, networking, and assisting students and the wider community to understand how we can all play a part in preserving the environment in which we gain our livelihoods,” she mentioned.
“If there is anyone who would like to be a teacher, then by all means, go for it! Teaching is a wonderful and noble profession. Bear in mind, however, that teaching is an art form. It is a job that requires you to devote all of your time and energy to developing and presenting concepts to your students in the best way possible, using the best methodology and practices.
“In order to develop this art form, you have to practice and learn from experienced teachers as well! Once you are a teacher, you are a teacher for life. You may forget a student, but a student will always remember you and the impact that you have made in their lives – make it a good and meaningful one,” is her advice for teachers and aspiring educators.
“Excellence is a habit. Nothing good ever comes easy. It comes through hard work and sacrifice. Always be consistent in everything you do. Stop counting the days as they go by and start making the days count. Only you can achieve your own dream, do not put it in the hands of others! Carpe diem!” is Dookie advice for youths.
