Malala Yousafzai said, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” Ms. Melika Williams emulates this quote, once she steps into a classroom, she does far more than deliver lessons; she nurtures minds, shapes character, and inspires futures.
Today, she serves as an Agricultural Science teacher at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School, acting as the Head of Department. With over nine years of dedicated service under her belt, Ms. Williams has built a career rooted in passion, resilience, and faith.
Interestingly, teaching was never her first dream. As a child, she envisioned herself as a magistrate, then a doctor. Teaching was considered her “Plan B,” but destiny had other plans. After completing her studies at the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School and enrolling in the CAPE programme, she developed a love for Environmental Science that later blossomed into a passion for Agricultural Science. In 2014, she entered the Cyril Potter College of Education, and, with God’s guidance, accepted a teaching post at her alma mater, a decision she now calls one of the most defining moments of her life.
Her academic journey continued at the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC), where she earned her Bachelor’s degree, and today she is pursuing her Master’s in Education at Liverpool John Moores University in England. Alongside teaching, she is also the proud entrepreneur behind Melly’s Sweet Treats(https://www.facebook.com/share/19sAAPC8TX/?mibextid=wwXIfr), a bakery business that allows her to channel her creativity into cakes and desserts for special occasions.
Ms. Williams credits much of her own success to teachers who inspired her along the way. From the discipline and fairness of her primary school educators, viz, the late Mrs. Dos Ramos and Ms. Shebiki Edwards, to the fun and creativity of her secondary school teacher, Sir Jaggy, she learned lessons that now inform her own teaching style. “Subjects that seem difficult can become enjoyable when taught with passion,” she reflected, “and that is the impact I strive to leave on my students.”
Her reward lies in the feedback she receives from former students who recall how her teaching shaped their exam success and life skills. For her, grades matter, but molding well-rounded individuals who can think critically is the true goal.
Like many teachers, she faces challenges, especially the limited contact hours with her students. Yet she adapts with determination, earning the nickname “queen of homework” among her students. She uses creative assignments and extended support to ensure learning continues beyond the classroom.
To young people considering teaching, Ms. Williams offers candid advice: “It’s not a walk in the park, but don’t sleep on yourself. Get those degrees, push through, and keep improving. Education is free, take advantage of it.” She also emphasises the value of rest and rejuvenation during school breaks, reminding fellow educators that self-care is vital in a demanding profession.
For Ms. Williams, teaching is more than a career, it is a calling. She has even experienced the full-circle joy of teaching the children of her own teachers, a reminder of the enduring ripple effect educators has across generations.
“Teaching was once my Plan B,” she says, “but today, it is my true calling. I stand proud knowing I am not just teaching a subject, but shaping lives, just as my teachers once shaped mine.”
This Education Month, we honour educators like Ms. Melika Williams, individuals whose dedication continues to shape Guyana’s future, one student at a time.
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