Natasha Paul spent over two decades nurturing future generations

For three decades, Natasha Paul has dedicated her life to shaping the minds of young individuals. She instilled in them the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in today’s ever-changing world.

Miss Natasha Paul teaching in the classroom

With a career spanning various educational institutions, her unwavering commitment to teaching, especially Agricultural Science, has left an indelible mark on generations of students.

FROM STELLA MARIS PRIMARY TO NORTH GEORGETOWN SECONDARY

From her humble beginnings at Stella Maris Primary School to her current role at North Georgetown Secondary, Natasha has remained steadfast in her mission to shape young minds into capable, self-sufficient adults.

Transitioning to North Georgetown Secondary, Miss Paul found her niche in teaching Agricultural Science, inspired by her own mentor, Irving Adonis.

Despite initially harbouring aspirations in mechanical engineering, she found fulfillment in nurturing young minds through the lens of agriculture. She said she believes this field is vital for fostering self-sufficiency and resilience.

I think I was born to do this. I think this is my passion. Everybody has a calling to do something, mine is teaching. But there is just something coming down to the end when you know school is about to reopen where there’s this anxiousness, this anticipation that, oh, I wanna meet some new students.

THREE DECADES IN EDUCATION

With over 30 years of unbroken service, Miss Paul reflects on the evolution of her role as an educator.

Miss Paul at a past graduation ceremony

With the advent of technology in the classroom and a renewed emphasis on agricultural education amid global shifts towards food security, she has embraced innovation while staying true to her core mission.

Everybody is now seeing the importance of growing your own food, having your own kitchen gardens. Recently, the price of greens and most food items just went up, and now you see the importance.

Her dedication extends beyond the confines of the classroom, evidenced by her school’s receipt of seedlings and broiler. Such initiatives underscore the tangible impact Miss Paul has had in promoting agricultural literacy and practical skills among her students.

Central to Miss Paul’s teaching philosophy is her unwavering belief in the transformative power of education.

Witnessing her students’ successes, from establishing their own farms to pursuing careers in agriculture, fuels her passion and reinforces her commitment to their growth and development.

When they see you out in the world of work, they will say to you, ‘Miss! You know, I got a lil farm, and I got 60 broilers, and I got pak choi or so many beds of pak choi’ and they’re making this work. And you also have some of them that will tell you they’re doing their regular nine to five, and then in the afternoons or on the weekends, they have a broiler business or egg business.

TEACHING IS A CALLING

For Miss Paul, teaching is more than a profession; it is a calling—a vocation rooted in compassion, empathy, and a genuine love for learning.

Natasha Paul accepting a certificate in Education Management from the Ministry of Education

Despite the inherent challenges, including balancing motherhood with her career, she remains steadfast in her belief that teaching is a labour of love—one that requires dedication, resilience, and above all, heart.

Sometimes it can be challenging. Having to be at school, be a mother, be all other things to our students here at North Georgetown and then go home and be that mother for your own children. At some point in time, it is a challenge in the end, you balance it out because you’re able to apply what you do with your own students with your children.

As she imparts her wisdom to aspiring educators, Miss Paul emphasises the importance of passion and purpose in pursuing a career in teaching.

I’d say that you have to be sure you want to do it. It’s not for the money. Don’t think you’re gonna come and make a lot of money. I always say you have to have a heart. You have to have the heart for teaching. You have to have the love for teaching.