Louverturians Leading Louverturians:
Catching Up with LCS Principal Myriam J.

 Louverture Cleary School students and graduates are well known for standing
out among their peers. Whether being recognized for their work ethic, language skills, willingness to serve, or academic aptitude, it is thanks to their seven years at LCS near Port-au-Prince—and, soon, other locations around Haiti as the Louverture Cleary School Network grows—and the examples set for them.

While dozens of individuals serve as role models for students, none have a more significant role in the formation of Louverturians than the alumni who return to the school to serve as members of the staff and administration. One shining example is LCS Principal Myriam J. (LCS ’10).\

After graduating from LCS, Myriam attended Université Quisqueya to study secondary education with minors in English and Spanish instruction. She joined the LCS Junior Staff work-study program for alumni in 2012 and has worked in many areas of LCS since,
including Student Life, Academics, and the Koukouy Sen Klè (Fireflies of St. Clare) early childhood development program. Now, in her new role as LCS principal this year, Myriam is putting that experience to good use in leading the school, helping train new staff in leadership positions, and setting an example of academic excellence, strong work ethic, and true servant-leadership for current students.

HPN: How did your LCS education prepare you for your role as principal?
Myriam: An LCS education focuses on the citizen-leader. Not just intellectuals, but future leaders who will be able to fulfill a social role in the pursuit of a better Haiti. That is the education I received from LCS, and as the principal, my role is to ensure the perpetuation of the training of future leaders with the responsibility to change Haiti.

HPN: What do you like about your position?
Myriam: What I like about my position is the fact that I now have the opportunity to make decisions that I believe will contribute to the success of LCS, helping to produce citizens aware of their individual and collective responsibility in the advancement of the country.

HPN: What is the most important thing you believe LCS does to encourage leadership skills in its female students, and why?
Myriam: LCS is managed by a staff of mainly women. It's a good example of female leadership. In addition, several seminars are organized each year on the emancipation of women and what helps girls cultivate self-esteem, self-confidence, virtue, and leadership skills.

HPN: Why is it so important that LCS and the creation of the LCS Network are being led by Haitians?
Myriam: LCS has been preparing leaders for nearly forty years. Seeing these leaders in charge of the institution that trained them—and training other leaders—shows that we have confidence in our system. What's more, Louverturian leaders have a responsibility to rebuild Haiti. So it's important that Haitians are in charge of the machine.  

HPN: What role do you believe LCS and the LCS Network have to play in Haiti’s future, especially given recent events?
Myriam: LCS must continue to be a generator of conscious leaders taking concrete actions for real change. Events show that Haiti needs more Louverture Cleary Schools. A single LCS generates too few leaders for the impact to be visible. The work LCS does in the community is colossal. The impact must be greater.