To teach or not to teach ? That is never the question, as we all tend to teach our kids the best we can with hopes it leads them to live a better life or have more opportunities then we did as parents. Though we always tend to want the best for our kids, we never really grab our ears at the corner and listen to what our kids possibly want to be.. Though most of us may want our kids to be doctors or lawyers, we tend to miss the valuable fact that there are more great career choices out there and one of them may just be the next innovative or creative entrepreneurial opportunity for your child. Not matter what career choice we or our kids choose, we must always keep in mind that we should not just have a great job, but have a great job that we love doing. In today’s world a good job or career can arise in many different shapes or forms depending on you or your Child’s creative state of mind.
With the creative industry becoming one of the worlds greatest entrepreneurial platforms, educating your kids but also allowing them to express their freedom of choice and creative minds is one aspect of education that St Maarten yet still has to embrace. With that’s said, our current minister of education, culture, youth and sports is on a mission to allow the freedom of the creative mind let loose in the class room to compliment next level education trends that all our children should have the opportunities to be inspired by. In February 2018 edition of CX we bring you a bit closer to the lady that currently has our current education, culture, youth and Sports as her priority…
Who are you and where are you from?
My name is Jorien Wuite and I was born and raised in the Netherlands by my parents. Because of my strong St. Maarten familial ties, I visited St. Maarten often during family vacations as a youth. My roots are from Middle Region and I’m the grand-daughter of Alec “The Butcher” Richardson and Elflida Richardson as my mother is Anna Merab Richardson.
Where did you attend school, do you hold any current degrees?
I did all my schooling in the Netherlands. I hold a Masters in Public Health Management from Erasmus University and a post graduate degree in Management consultance and change management. As A believer in lifelong learning I also followed the (semi-online) Master degree program Public management / management sciences via the Open university and advanced with my thesis on the subject of “Exit, Voice, Loyalty” theory and its relevance to governance challenges to our Small Island Development State.
What is your current expertise or preferred career choice?
I am currently the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport. I enjoy high-level civil service and have been entrusted with the positions of Secretary General at the Ministry of VSA and ECYS. I’m experienced in strategic development and governmental re-organization matters as I believe in the concept of change and social economic advancement that will benefit us as citizens and clients to the government services.
We know that you have been appointed Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, is this a career choice you hope for after studies or did you have an original career choice?
During my University study I decided to do my internships and research on St. Maarten. After my studies I worked for a consultancy firm in the Netherlands as I was unable to obtain a job on St. Maarten in the first 5 years after completion of my master degree.. In time the opportunity to work in St. Maarten presented itself in the form of a vacancy for a sector director of Public Health. I applied to the position, was accepted, and here we are 20 years later.
What inspired you to undertake your current career?
I don’t know whether it was inspiration or destiny. But I did always want to settle and work in St. Maarten. I felt motivated and inspired form the first day on the job and never stopped.
What is the current situation on the revitalization of St Maarten’s Education sector after the passing of hurricane Irma?
Of the total damages to government insured buildings, the Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport Ministry represent 60%, being appr. 80 million $. On average more than 25 % of these buildings suffered severe damages. The public and the subsidized schools are all in dire need of structural repairs with the replacing of fencing and roof structures currently the top priority. Classroom construction and even school re-location are also priorities. But that’s merely the material side of post-Irma. There’s also the human aspect; many teachers and other school staff and students remain vulnerable and require systematic psycho-social care. Getting these needs met is sometimes a very daunting task as the bureaucratic process associated with critical resource allocation tends to be lengthy. But I will remain determined in my push forward towards the goals of safety for teachers and students and better schools that fit the ideology of 21st century learning in- and outside of the classroom.
We see that you have postulated yourself for the next upcoming elections and have been talking about the importance of education, what are your plans for education and how do you see it may benefit in the revitalization of St Maarten’s Economy and People?
The ideology is based on a total review and adjustment of philosophy of St. Maarten Education model for primary and secondary schools. Re-evaluate the current education system and introduce a national curriculum with inclusion of non-academic subjects to support other learners with sometimes special challenges as well. I wholeheartedly support that St. Maarten introduces outdoor education and that we integrate subjects such as agriculture, fisheries, social and life skills, critical thinking (fitting for schools as democratic institutes) and the creative art industries in the curriculum. St. Maarten has proven once more that we are resilient and we should therefor develop an educational system that encourages and produces critical thinkers. Critical thinkers will lead to critical leaders. Critical thinkers can transform the way we do business by paving and leading the way in unconventional manners.
Do you have any other political focuses or agendas to champion if elected to parliament?
Mandatory corporate social responsibility from private investors to engage in public private partnerships in areas such as sport development and sport tourism. For education the ordinance for higher education as a stimulus for tertiary education and a strategic position for USM as a national university that creates economic opportunities for diversification, productivity and lifelong learning for adults as well. Governments support to stimulate Early Childhood Development programs especially for lower income families. Creative Art Industries as a driver of new labour markets, startups and for cultural tourism. Vision and stimulus programs that recognize the elderly for their wisdom with possible partnerships with community youth programs on top of adjustments to pension plans and cost of living as there is too much poverty amongst this group. Recognition of, support for and active introduction of a performance based compensation system based on career development for the teaching profession.
Sitting in your current position, let’s say you don’t make it to parliament, What are your short \ long term goals or how do you plan to make education work despite not being elected ?
My aim is to receive a full mandate to return and push the active agenda for education, culture, youth and sport. Should I return to my former position of Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, I will continue to do what I’ve always done, support the new minister in the tasks required to improve the work fields of this Ministry.
Have you identified any potential opportunities within the sector on our island that may be interesting for our local economy, both young and old?
Adversity brings opportunity. There are currently opportunities in the fields of construction, healthcare and social and community services. I believe this is the time to move away from the confines of conventional labour and to focus your skills and strengths in entrepreneurship. More and more small businesses and new entrepreneurs now have access to trainings, seed funding and start-up loans. These are opportunities we didn’t have just a few years ago.
From your view point, what would be the ideal educational system?
One that is both academic, democratic as well as creative.
Does having a good team behind you play an important role in your career?
Yes……I am a team player and I believe in team work. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Who or what inspires you, do you have a role model?
Critical thinking inspires me and thus persons who are critical thinkers. We always have to surround ourselves and I am happy to enjoy life’s richness of friends with a critical mind and ideas of their own. In addition I enjoy alternative media and inspirational contributions via Youtube or Ted talks. Prince and Sir Ken Robinson I admire for instance for their critical and constructive views about education and the need for reforms.
Has rejection ever happen in terms of your career or Have you ever been discouraged and how did you deal with it?
Yes. Discouragement is a part of life. I do introspection and evaluation. What didn’t work and why, how to correct and improve. Learn from the disappointment and move on as I believe in mobility and will therefor always apply this in my professional life as well.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years in terms of your career choice?
In an advisory role for government, in a Think Tank or as your new prime minister ensuring that SXM continues to have this Caribbean recognition but then with some important SMART and Innovative decisions that will make a difference and pave a path of renewal and new beginnings.
What is your proudest achievement in your field of work or describe briefly your greatest accomplishments thus far?
Helping, leading with the establishment of Min VSA and the transition from island territory status to country status 10-10-10.
What do you do in spare time for fun?
I enjoy the creative arts, spending time with friends and family (my boys, my bodyguards!) while enjoying good food, my sanctuary and going to the beach.
If you could be somewhere in the world right now where would you be?
With my sons….. And then there is my wish list for a Safari to see the Big Five and experience the culture of the African continent in South Africa or Namibia and Northern Brazil or in Bahia in a fishing village enjoying fresh fish.
What role does nature, spirituality and culture play in your life?
It is what defines me as a human being. God and nature first for health and well-being.
What are your views on agricultural development, do you think it may play a great role for country St Maarten?
Agriculture is our source of food. Every nation must be able to sustainably feed its people. There is also the untapped potential of agriculture as an economic driver in the areas of tourism, labour, and community unification. I hope I can make some of my family land available of community gardening.
You recently visited the St Peters Community Garden, do you feel it can play a role with enhancing St Maarten’s educational sector?
Most definitely! That is one of the examples of outdoor learning, combining academics and creativity. The coming together of multiple subjects to teach. In this case, botany, soil science, food health, culture and history.
As we come to an end of our interview, What would you like to share with St Maarten, surrounding community members, students and young entrepreneurs that look toward seeing St Maarten rise to the top and smile again ?
Keep doing what you’re doing, believe in your dreams and work together. Say THANK YOU in everything you do, everything you have already accomplished in life, every obstacle you have overcome in YOUR, personal journey in life.
We would like to thank Ms Jorien Wuite for taking time out to visit the St Peters Community Garden research and Development Center as she strives to revitalize St Maarten’s Educational sector … We wish her much success on her journey forward and the upcoming elections!!!!
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