PORT MARIA, Jamaica — What shaped up to be a low-key, uneventful Teachers’ Day for staff at Port Maria Infant School transformed into a lifelong memory after an unexpected invitation from the Sandals Foundation landed in their inbox.
The Port Maria team joined more than 150 fellow educators pulled from 49 different primary, infant, and basic schools across Jamaica’s St Ann and St Mary parishes for a day on the open water. The fully complimentary boat cruise treated attending teachers to a full day of lively music, freshly prepared local cuisine, and casual connection with peers who understand the unique demands of the education profession.
For Port Maria Infant School, no official Teachers’ Day activities had been arranged ahead of the celebration, making the surprise invitation even more meaningful. “We had nothing planned,” shared Doraine Murphy, the school’s guidance counsellor. “So, when Sandals called we were overjoyed to be a part of the celebration. We are grateful to Sandals Ocho Rios for making our day really special.”
Organizers noted that venue capacity limitations prevented every interested educator from claiming a spot on the cruise, but attendees agreed the outing was a welcome, long-overdue respite from the daily pressures of teaching.
“It was beautiful. For once we weren’t thinking about lesson plans. We danced, we laughed, we felt appreciated. That matters,” said Hyeillia Clarke-Coke, a veteran educator who attended the event.
Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager for Sandals Ocho Rios, emphasized that the event grew from the organization’s long-standing commitment to recognizing the contributions of local education workers. In comments to the Jamaica Observer, Isaacs explained the core motivation behind the gesture: “Teachers are amazing. We see the work that they are doing in the classroom every day. If there is a little thing that we can do for them to show appreciation then we are happy to do it.”
Alongside Port Maria Infant School, a wide range of regional institutions had representatives in attendance. The full list of participating schools includes New Orange Hill Primary, Bamboo Basic, Union Basic, Golden Grove Basic, Lewisburgh Primary, Bethany Primary, Albion Mountain Primary, Mount Zion Primary, Ocho Rios High, Pineapple Basic, Stewart Town Basic, Wellington Four Square Basic, Village Primary, Parry Town Primary and Infant, Zoe Care Bear, Boscobel Primary, and Gibraltar Primary.