By Naomi Parris

OUR teachers are considered to be the most unsung heroes of the world, their dedication and hard work to the profession mould some of the world’s greatest artists, doctors, engineers, lawyers and so much more.

One of those heroes is Devon Sherwyn Gibbons.
Mr. Gibbons, a champion of youth development, disclosed that his burning passion for children came about after remembering the struggles he faced and guidance he received at the hands of others in the quest for self-identity.

He strives to work to help others, even his peers. He believes strongly in the concept of youth reaching youth-peer partners.
Mr. Gibbons was born in September of 1993, spent most of his childhood in the village of Beterverwagting, before moving with his parents to Paradise, also on the East Coast of Demerara.
Now at the age of 27, he is married and the father of one. He attended the Annandale Secondary School before starting his teaching career in 2010, just three months after completing his secondary education.

In total, Devon Gibbons has taught at three public schools: Hope Secondary on the East Coast (2010-2016), St. Winefride’s Secondary (2018-2019) and even in the only indigenous village in Region Four — St. Cuthbert’s Secondary (2016-2018). A transfer he has never regretted as he wanted to experience teaching youths in those areas, given his indigenous background (his grandfather was from the Arawak tribe).

He has taught in the areas of English, Literature, Art and the Remedial Programme.
In 2017, Mr. Gibbons began working closely with Ms. Evadney P. Wilson teaching English to villagers in Beterverwagting at the Education Culture and Welfare Organisation.
In his every lesson, the patience and morals being taught expressed his true motivation and enthusiasm for the work he does. Mr. Gibbons often reflects on his invaluable contributions of service to youths since 2010. He was also in the process of helping to organise some educational programmes succh as debates and impromptu speech for the same organisation.
Mr. Gibbons, with his zeal for youth empowerment and creative leadership skills has served twice as youth leader of his local church and director and deputy director of the Pathfinder Club for a number of years. In addition, Gibbons finds himself participating and helping in every youth programme brought to him and continues to reach out by offering free lessons.
In February 2014, with much passion and grateful donations, but limited resources and support, Mr. Gibbons established a library through the church to enable all school-aged youths to read.

To date, Mr. Devon Gibbons has assisted many youths on the East Coast, Georgetown and St. Cuthbert’s Mission. He has served in many social departments in school activities for national programmes, Science Club and once even pioneered a flag- raising ceremony in the village.

The proactive teacher continues to do presentations, make speeches, emcee and contribute to other impacts through his church’s youth programme.
Mr. Gibbons currently serves as a Youth leader in the district of churches stretching from Paradise to Plaisance on the East Coast of Demerara. He is still engrossed in teaching at the School of the Nations, imparting knowledge in the Language and Humanities departments and participating in youth-related activities and a counsellor in church-related clubs in the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Outside of his teaching profession and volunteer work, he has participated in literature distributions, health fairs and organised health initiatives, running off two successful health races on the East Coast of Demerara from Nabaclis to Paradise in a bid to promote and keep youths in that area healthy.