HEATHCLIFF Peters, an educator and sports coach, has made tremendous strides both in the classroom and in the field for the development of children and youths.

Heathcliff Peters is a father of one who was inspired by his daughter to work silently behind the scenes and volunteer his time to mould youths and children in both the classroom and the sports activities, which he is very passionate about.

The 37-year-old is the headteacher of Plegt Anker Primary School, located at East Bank Berbice, a small farming village tucked away deep down a long, windy stretch of road that is in need of upgrading.

In June, this year will mark 18 years since he joined the noble teaching profession. He is also a Second Lieutenant Reservist attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), having successfully completed the 2022 Reserve Cadet Officer Course.

Peters joined the army in 2013 and saw the need to elevate himself in rank. He pushed through the difficult course, which gained him recognition among his peers.

In addition, this down-to-earth teacher is a certified junior football coach, an active local referee in the community, and is currently a Level One umpire and cricket school coach.

Peters is no stranger to sports since he has always immersed himself in athletics, football and cricket—even as a youngster. He has been involved in sports activities almost all his life.

Peters started his teaching career at All Saints Primary School, then Fort Ordinance Primary School, before moving on to Plegt Anker Primary School where he eventually earned the position of headteacher.

This New Amsterdam, Berbice resident told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is a part-time lecturer at Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in that town and spends much time investing in youths and children—on and off the field—in sports and classroom teaching.

In the afternoons, Peters volunteers as a coach in cricket, athletics and football and is serving as the District Sports Representative in relation to athletics and also currently with the Secondary Berbice Football Association.

This sports enthusiast is also vying for the position of Deputy General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and is a resident of Errols’ville, New Amsterdam.

It is with a simple, self-made motto that Peters stays motivated: “Me versus me,” in which he challenges himself in various areas to become a better version of himself and to explore the possibilities in this ever-changing world we live in.

“I have a 12-year-old daughter and I have to be her role model—to demonstrate to her that you have to put in the work to become successful and good at whatever you have your eyes set on,” he said.

Having attained his pinnacle in teaching as the headteacher of a primary school that has 46 pupils and nine teachers, Peters has earned the respect of his fellow teachers and the residents alike due to his calm demeanour and positivity.

He is also well-known in Plegt Anker village, which consists of about 400 locals who are mostly farmers, and all the teachers are from New Amsterdam and commute daily to the school.

“I really like the fact that I am a teacher, and I get the opportunity five days per week to mould the minds of the children, who will become future leaders. It gives me great pride to be a part of their lives—the foundation process of their educational journey—and this is my way of contributing to society as a teacher and a coach for sports,” Peters said.

He reported that teaching is in his blood, and, as an educator, he feels really pleased that he has an active role in the community to bring about change and to give the youth hope in sports, which has the potential to transform their lives. Once exercised in a structured way, sports can be a good tool for youth development.

Peters told the Pepperpot Magazine that at Plegt Anker Primary School, in a remote village, they work with limited resources. The school building runs on solar power for electricity, but the school needs a water filtration system since there is a well.

He related that there is a need for an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub, with internet-ready computers for the children in the village, a library with books, and a resource building which will provide the ideal space for children and youths of the community to gather and engage in educational activities.