Education boss heads for new learning curve
Shirley Wahler at the farewell function
(CNS): After twenty years working in education in the Cayman Islands, Shirley Wahler is on track for new learning experiences as she heads nearly 3,000 miles south to a new job on the tiny island of St Helena and an entirely different environment. After two decades in the education system here, Wahler is taking early retirement, having accepted the position of Director of Education on one of the UK’s oldest overseas territories.
Situated in the South Atlantic Ocean some 1,200 miles from the nearest land mass, the island is one of the most remote places in the world. It is about half the size of Grand Cayman with a population of less than 5,000. Although most well known as the place of exile for Napoleon, it is home to many endemic birds and plants and is currently on the UK’s proposed list of future World Heritage Sites.
In her new position she will be responsible for driving educational improvements and developing training opportunities to meet the changing economic needs of the island.
Wahler has held many positions in the Cayman Islands. She served as principal of the Cayman Brac High School from 2000- 2007 as well as in various senior roles at what was formerly the Community College of the Cayman Islands. She has also served as lecturer, librarian, department head and registrar at the Community College; and in her capacity as head of general studies, played a key role in the introduction of higher level academic studies, including A levels and the Associate Degree Programme.
Caymanite gift for retiring chief education officer, Shirley Wahler
During the seven years that Wahler has led the department, the external exam results of graduating students shot up dramatically by 159%. Results for literacy and numeracy at Key Stage 2 have also shown impressive improvements year over year. (Read more here)
At a celebratory but tearful function held last month to bid her farewell Wahler was commended by the staff who applauded her tremendous leadership, dedication and professionalism at the department’s helm.
On behalf of the entire department,Senior Education Officer James Watler presented her with a creative depiction of a the iconic book and apple crafted out of Caymanite by local artisan Horacio Esteban. Wahler’s team also recorded their individual tributes as a video presentation, which was played at the event.
Since news of her departure became public, tributes have also poured into the department from schools that have submitted a contribution to a commemorative scrapbook.
Category: Education, Local News
Whilst I hear quite a bit of negativity in the comments here; PLZ be RESPECTFUL…..As Mama taught me:- We may not always care for the choice but we respect the position and so we give support!! After all Lyneth is Caymanian and for her to be good we have to offer support. For whatever reasons she was chosen over Tammy let that not make us bitter but let’s use this too to be BETTER……Our children are listening and too often we speak poorly in their presence about those in leadership and they in turn carry on our candle! For there to be a majority shift it takes ALL of our efforts! Let’s each one do our part:- one day a week we take a late lunch and stop in to the After-School programs and offer assistance; OR if you can’t do the After-School then buy books for the elementary school in your district; OR pay for one child to do 4 music lessons per mth OR work with the PTA to make a difference OR start a Literarcy Program on Sat morns @ 10am-12noon OR gather enough to make noise that we MUST expand our Vo-Tech and Hospitality programs fr beginning of HS. Let’s take one child under our wing and nourish him or her while teaching them. After all we have enough HIGHLY educated Caymanians who IF we ALL did an hour a week we WILL see the next graduating class not only as a SOCIAL graduation BUT as young people who can read and write going into the work world or furthering their education. See this is OUR home and WE have to start making its ills OUR business but in a CONSTRUCTIVE way!! Hope that helps someone to start giving instead of criticising!!
Christ, I hope you are not a teacher
Great choice! Give her s shot at it. She’s from Grand Cayman where most of our students are attending school. She’s been teaching and part of senior management for 34 years. She is one of the few in education who is open to new ideas and willing to try them in the hope of helping any number of young people. Let us support her and give her a fighting chance. She just might be able to make some progress in education. Don’t count this lady out yet.
My sentiments exactly, 5:44 of 20/2: the new deputy appointee to the CEO position is a bright, caring woman, who is plugged into the Cayman community. I predict that she will become the best CEO ever, out shining all the rest in innovation, hardwork, and achievements. I hope that her colleagues in the department will rally around her and work with her for the success of this most critical area of education. We need education to really meet needs and to motivate our youth towards great heights now more than ever. Let us pray for the new CEO’s success and throw our support behind her.
My God, what are you on?
It seems that it is hard to find the right balance; someone who has brilliant ideas of how to move the system forward and can actually implement those ideas while at the same time recognizing the almost always missing critical component: respecting, valuing and appreciating the common teacher who is on the ground working everyday to turn those ideas into reality. “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of becoming.” — Goethe. You see, it’s not what is said on special occasions or at a big conference that matters but rather how you respond to the little things that matter to people everyday. Call me foolish, but we will never achieve the very best out of the system until we keep teachers and students at the center; not just the students. You take care of the teachers and they will take care of the students. It is my hope that the change in leadership will recognize this very important missing component of our system; a system which has improved tremendously but has the potential to improve even further.
Stop being negative. There is one very positive thing about this. At least a piece of driftwood was not chosen. You see, despite the rhetoric, being Caymanian is a qualification.
What is this about rewriting of report. Is that the one that is old news that happened under Bush or are you suggesting that the most recent inspection of John Grey will be rewritten to allow the appointment to be justified. Surely not.
Please grant the privilege to the good late Rev. John Gray the correct spelling of his surname.
I have just heard the news. REALLY! Why are we unable to come up with a solution without additional problems. Is it not realistic to want someone at the top that is actually respected and has a proven track record.
it is very sad to see someone like this leave , but if it is her choice then we should all wish her well. Let us not get to negative with our comments as we all don’t know the reason for her choice. May God bless you and keep you strong.
Farewell Mrs Wahler. They cannot replace you but instead of realising that and using your departure to finally bring the Ministry and department together, they are about to make an appointment that will not be supported by one teacher or indeed anyone that knows anything about education. It will be interesting to note how many rewrites of reports will go on to try to justify this appointment. Tell me its not true? Also note the lack of vision by a wholly inept government and Minister and counsellor for Education. Amateurs the lot!
I hope the name that I have heard being passed around is not in fact the person who is taking over this post.
Its true! Being the head of a failing secondary school is clearly good enough grounds to appoint as Acting CEO? Amateurs does not begin to even describe this decision.
They should’ve chosen Tammy from the Brac! She’s been leading the department every time Shirley has been on leave. Obviously she has the abilities if she was called upon to be acting CEO for short periods…even from 90 miles across the sea! Don’t worry Tammy – your time to lead will soon come! Our education system needs your leadership and innovation!