From a small village girl with a passion for accounting to a lifelong educator, this New Amsterdam teacher proves that sometimes, destiny leads us exactly where we belong.
When Jenis Archibald-Hazel reflects on her journey, she sees not a straight line but a beautifully woven path shaped by faith, opportunity, and love for her students.
Her academic story began in a quiet village where she attended Sisters Nursery, East Bank Berbice and Friends Primary School, later moving on to the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School (NAMS). After completing her secondary education, a three-week break at home turned into a defining moment when her mother gave her an ultimatum: find a job or continue studying. Choosing the latter, Jenis enrolled at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI), a decision that would unknowingly set the foundation for her lifelong calling.
She excelled at NATI, graduating as Valedictorian in 1992, before earning her Degree in Accountancy from the University of Guyana. Her goal was clear, to become an Inspector of Taxes at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). Yet, fate had other plans.
While awaiting a position at GRA, she accepted a temporary teaching role at her alma mater, NATI, offered by her former lecturer, Mrs. Maxene Thompson. The warmth and connection she developed with her students made walking away almost impossible. Even when the long-awaited GRA appointment arrived, Jenis, realized that teaching had become more than a job; it was her true purpose.
“It was God’s gentle way of saying, this is where you belong,” she recalls.
More than two decades later, Jenis continues to teach with the same passion that first drew her in. She credits Miss Bonita Hunter, her lecturer during her Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, for reinforcing the power of empathy in education. “She taught me that teaching is about more than knowledge, it’s about care and community,” Jenis shares.
Her greatest joy comes from seeing former students succeed in diverse careers and still reaching out with gratitude. “Their kindness and thankfulness keep me going,” she says warmly.
Jenis also holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management from UNICAF ZAMBIA.
For Jenis, teaching is not just a profession, it’s a lifelong journey of growth, connection, and purpose.
Her advice to aspiring educators?:
“When you love your job, you’re being paid to do what you enjoy most. Teaching transforms lives, including your own. Also
