Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

Delroes Needham teacher at Mount Moreland Primary and Junior High in St Catherine. - Rudolph Brown

Spanish Town

Veteran teacher DeloresNeedham, has been moulding the young minds of the students at the Mount Moreland Primary and Junior High School in St Catherine for 32 years.

According to her, it was always her dream to inspire change in persons in a positive way.

"I think the children are the best example when one wants to impart knowledge. Teaching helps me to do this," she said.

Life's work

Her dedicated and undying love for the art of teaching saw Needham spending her entire adult life at Mount Moreland.

She holds several positions at the school, being the sports, library and performing arts (specialising in dance) coordinator. She pointed to several trophies won at national competitions.

"We are very proud as athletes such as Corine Hinds and Suzette Lee started at this very institution. We are thankful for this," she said.

Having enlisted at St Joseph's Teachers' College in 1972, and graduating from the institution in 1976, she applied for a job at Mount Moreland. While at the school, she took time to attend Mico Teachers' College and she recently completed a bachelor's degree in education and school management from the University of the West Indies.

Continue teaching

She told The Star that she will continue to do her best for the students at Mount Moreland.

Needham is the last of two children for Joseph Needham, a plumber, and Myrtle Gaynor, a housewife. She said that if she had to live her life over again, teaching would still be the way forward as there is no other profession as rewarding.

"Nothing can pay you as well as teaching. It's far more than money," she said.