The Youth Initiative for Education Actions for Sustainable Development-Liberia (YleAS-Doc Liberia) recently honored outstanding teachers and administrators in Paynesville over the weekend.
Edward Karmah, the program manager of YleAS-Doc Liberia, stated that the initiative aims to encourage teachers and school administrators to strive for excellence and leadership in their schools. The award recipients were carefully vetted by a committee that evaluated applicants from various schools in Paynesville.
In his keynote address, Mr. Prince Y. Alpha, Deputy Director of Technical Services and Facility Management at Liberia’s National Election Commission (NEC), praised teachers and administrators as extraordinary individuals for their resilience, commitment, passion, and dedication to shaping the minds of young people.
“This event is a testament to the value we place on individuals who have committed themselves to shaping the future through education. We gather here not only to honor the best administrators and teachers but also to reflect on the profound impact they have on our society and the transformative power of their work,” Mr. Alpha said.
He emphasized the importance of professional development for educators, urging them to continually hone their skills to avoid stagnation. According to him, teachers and administrators are not merely employees performing tasks; they are sculptors shaping the minds, characters, and futures of countless individuals. Their work is a labor of love, a calling that requires heart, intellect, patience, and perseverance.
Mr. Alpha described education as a beacon of hope that illuminates the path to progress, equality, and innovation. He stressed that a society that values education is one that invests in its most valuable resource—its people, including teachers and administrators, who are critical to collective success.
He also acknowledged the indispensable contributions of teachers and administrators, noting the numerous challenges they face, including inadequate compensation and limited resources.
“Voices of Important People”
Theophilus Goodness Cole, Executive Director of YleAS-Doc Liberia, described teachers as the voices of important individuals when it comes to nurturing, evaluating, and molding the leaders of today and tomorrow. He commended teachers for their passion, dedication, and commitment to their work.
“We would like to congratulate you for your hard work, dedication, service, and commitment, which you consistently strive to achieve with passion,” Mr. Cole stated. He reiterated that teachers are the foundation of knowledge, highlighting their dedicated service and commitment to development.
In Mr. Cole’s view, teachers play a crucial role in producing effective and efficient outcomes in various institutions.
The purpose of this year’s YleAS-Doc Liberia award ceremony was to recognize teachers and administrators for their hard work and dedication in the classroom.
The inaugural YleAS-Doc Liberia event is expected to be held annually, continuing the recognition of teachers and administrators.
Meanwhile, Orenault M.T. Wiles was honored as the Best Administrator of the Year for 2024, with Mr. David N’Dorwor Kpehe taking second place. For the teachers’ awards, Moses D. Jackson Jr. was named the Best Teacher of the Year for 2024, while Jefferson N. Flomo and Grace T. Conteh secured second and third places, respectively.
