ALICIA Gonsalves, 26, is a resident of Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon, a village in which she was born and raised, and now seems unwilling to give up.An ambitious young lady, Gonsalves joined the teaching profession seven years ago, and is today a trained English teacher at the Charity Secondary School.

A few years ago, after completing studies at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) Centre at Anna Regina in Region Two, Gonsalves enrolled at the University of Guyana and read for a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She has completed her studies at UG, and is expected to graduate at the upcoming convocation in November.

Gonsalves is hoping to continue her studies, and intends to do a master’s degree in English. She told the Guyana Chronicle that at first she was not enthused at being a teacher, but as time went by, she developed a love for the noble profession.

Gonsalves related that her motivation has been the encouraging results of her students. She pointed out that it gives her a deep sense of accomplishment and the urge to do more. She also related that she spends a significant amount of time counselling and motivating students to embrace an upbeat view of life, to walk the straight and narrow path, and to do well at their examinations.

For Gonsalves, teaching is more that delivery of academic knowledge. She said a teacher has to be a mentor, a custodian, a social worker, and a role model.

When this young lady is not busy teaching, she enjoys reading, writing poetry, and playing indoor and outdoor games.

She is advising young people to take their education seriously, listen to their parents, stay focused, and set goals and work to achieve them.