Marjorie M., Principal, Louverture Cleary School Santo 5 (LCS '07)
Principal Marjorie M. at a school assembly
Marjorie M. is a strong educator both in and out of the classroom, a spiritual leader through faith formation and all-school liturgical activities, and a role model for all, modeling a commitment to giving back and putting education first.
After graduating from LCS in 2007, Madame M. studied education in university at the Centre de Recherche, de Formation et d’Intervention Psychologique. In 2009, she returned to LCS as junior staff, receiving a scholarship from the Dulcich Center for Career Advancement for her university studies while working at the school.
Madame M. grew as an educator and community member, becoming dean of academics and ultimately principal, a role she has held since 2014.
THP: How did your LCS education prepare you for your current leadership role at LCS?
MM: As an alum, I already knew the system, so I fit quickly into the administration. Because of the example I had seen as a student, I had an idea about what LCS is looking for, how it works, and what daily life is like. I knew as a junior staff member how I was supposed to take part in the community, to be an example for the students, and help them to become and be great Louverturians. I was there to give for free what I received for free [Matthew 10:8].
THP: What do you love about your role at LCS?
MM: I love putting my hand in the dough to educate the future generation in so many aspects of school life. As a religion teacher, I teach them to become great Christians, to make better choices, and grow in dignity. And as an educator, I discipline them to become good citizens for the country.
I also love forming the Guides (Philo students, U.S. 12th grade +1) and Monitors (Rheto students, U.S. 12th grade) to be mentors to protect and help the youngest, and to represent the Direction (administration) in their groups and in the dormitories. When students enter in the Sizyèm (U.S. 7th grade) class, everything about the students’ style of life changes as we integrate them. For example, they are taught how to treat the trash in the compost and in the incinerator, supported in the language program [practicing and learning in the school’s four languages: Kreyòl, French, English and Spanish], and helped to work hard and excel in class. In return, they will be able to teach others and become leaders.
THP: What’s the most important thing you believe LCS does to encourage leadership skills in its female students, and why?
MM: Encouraging the leadership of female students at LCS is so important because in the family in Haiti, it is common to put women and girls in the back. Women and girls are still taught that their place is in the kitchen, not look at men in their eyes, and so on. But at LCS, we encourage girls to do what boys can do. [And, in turn, boys are taught to support their female classmates.] The leadership skills are equal for male and female students. With that, we will have better families and a better society.
THP: How do you see your role at LCS paving the way for other women in Haiti?
MM: My role creates a foundation for the female students to lead and succeed in Haiti because the female examples that I had showed me that I could inspire them [the students] to believe in themselves and work to take their place in society. This helps them to work hard in class and not be seen as weak. It shows them, too, that they could take our place as leaders and educators in the future. By the education they received, they believe that they are smart and have a lot of potential. They can always have a family and have a job. They can be whatever they want to be.
THP: What role do you believe LCS and the LCS Network have to play in Haiti’s future, especially given recent events?
MM: LCS is playing an important role [in Haiti's future] by giving a quality education to Louverturians. The education we give at LCS helps to train future leaders for the country. Those alumni will be able to spread the great culture of LCS to others throughout Haiti. Haiti will change when we put education first and change our mentality and the way we are doing things in the structures and administration of the country.
Principal Marjorie M. at an LCS graduation
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