They were welcomed to the luxury included resorts in fine style; some by talented musicians serenading them as they arrived and others by a host of smiling managers with offerings of cold scented towels and cocktails.
Close to 450 teachers were invited to join in the Teachers’ Day festivities at Sandals Resorts in Negril, Ocho Rios, South Coast, and Montego Bay. They were treated to luncheons, a host of entertaining acts and lots of prizes including eight complimentary two-night/three-day stays at a Sandals resort in Jamaica, Red Lane® Spa experiences, candlelight dinners, souvenir items, gift certificates, and premium beverages.
Sandals Negril hosted teachers from 10 schools across Western Jamaica at its popular Sundowner Caribbean Restaurant. The close to 60 teachers enjoyed a lavish buffet spread, whilst rocking and singing to the soothing sounds of local entertainer Barry Watson and dancing away as local disc jockey DJ Buck upped the ante.
David Latchimy, Sandals Negril’s general manager was also a hit, after welcoming and thanking the teachers for their services to the nation builders in all of five languages.
“What a day today has been! It felt as if we were all from one school just here at a luxurious resort being treated like kings and queens. Sandals Negril, from we arrived, just created this vibe of togetherness for us all, it was evident that they took great pleasure in hosting us and we truly felt loved and appreciated,” shared Sherida Malcolm, principal at the West End Infant School.
The Ocho Rios region paid tribute to 210 teachers from 39 different schools in a special luncheon hosted at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort.
Junie Gilmore, from New Generation School, St. Ann was one of the lucky winners of one of the complimentary stays and shared how excited she was. “I still can’t believe it. I am very thankful to Sandals for giving us the opportunity to celebrate Teacher’s Day in such fine style and to make my day so extra special. Now I will plan for my big weekend to Sandals.”
Over on the southern shores of Jamaica, 61 teachers from eight schools in Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth were feted like no other at Sandals South Coast. The well-deserving teachers were served a sumptuous meal prepared by the resort’s master culinary team and words of inspiration courtesy of guest speaker, Wolde Kristos. They were invited to shake a leg and let their hair down to the melodies of Prince J and the Altitude Band, performing top selections from greats like Teddy Pendergrass and Tarrus Riley among others. The resort also presented awards to the longest-serving male and female teacher in attendance at the luncheon and a Rookie of the Year award to the newest entrant to the teaching profession.
For 120 teachers from the parishes of St. James and Trelawney, the management and staff of Sandals Resorts in Montego Bay treated them to a lunch hour concert. Singers, dancers, and dee-jays from the Sandals team served up great entertainment but were rivaled by the educators who thrilled the audience with their own singing and dancing earning themselves great prizes as well.
“We really appreciate Sandals for doing this for us, all of the managers and staff took time to put this together and we really hope we can do this again next year,” said Mona Ennis, a teacher at Falmouth Infant School.
