Brief profiles of Presidents

Meet your 59th President - LEIGHTON RAY ANTHONY JOHNSON, JP

He has worked in the field of education for over two decades, showcasing exceptional qualities as an educator and a strong commitment to nurturing young minds for the future. His journey from an inspiring teacher to a visionary principal and ultimately becoming the 59th President of the Jamaica Teachers' Association exemplifies the powerful combination of passion, hard work, and unwavering faith in the transformative power of education.

Mr. Johnson is the Principal of Muschett High in Trelawny. His educational journey included completing his Caribbean Examination Council Certificate at DeCarteret College and obtaining his A ’Level Certificate from Knox College. As he progressed, it became evident that his true calling was in the field of education. He enrolled at Church Teachers' College, earning a Diploma in Secondary Education. Fueling his passion for continuous learning, Johnson pursued higher education and obtained both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree (Hons.) in Educational Administration from the University of the West Indies, Mona.

Meet Your President Elect – MR. MARK SMITH

Mark Smith is Principal of Munro College. He comes to the post of President (Elect) of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA)as one fully qualified to give the level of support needed by the President.

He has served as an Education officer, as Lead Inspector with the National Education Inspectorate (NEI), and as a lecturer/facilitator with the National College for Educational Leadership (NCEL). He also worked at the National Council on Education.

Over much of his two decades in education, Mr. Smith has served the JTA in various capacities, at both the national and parish level to include as Chairman of the Properties and Business Services Committee as well as a member of other committees including Finance, Professional Advancement, and Teacher Welfare and the Secondary Committee and most recent of which was as Parish President for St Elizabeth (2022-23).

Meet Your Immediate Past President – MRS. LASONJA HARRISON
Mrs. LaSonja Fiona Terwissen Harrison, was the 58th President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, 2022- 2023 She is the (12th) twelfth female to have ascended to that prestigious position in the 59-year history of this August body.

She will be remembered as the President who fought for “a livable wage for the nations teachers” following the government’s implementation of the Compensation Review.

The nature of her Presidential mandate was people-centred, in its overall thrust towards membership education,

During her tenure, her many speeches, particularly those articulating the need for a Jamaican Philosophy of Education was purpose driven in nature and anchored in Judeo Christian principles.

Harrison, now Principal of St. Faith’s Primary School, was knowledgeable and a well-read classroom teacher of History and Religious Education to have transitioned to the position of the 58th President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association. Having completed her year as President, Mrs Harrison is now supporting the current President as his IPP.

The President, President Elect and the Immediate Past President are the heads of a group of officers elected to administer the operations of the Association along with a similarly elected professional staff.

Mrs. LaSonja Harrison

2023 to 2024

Leighton Johnson

2023 to 2024

Mark Smith

2023 to 2024

This list includes all the Past Presidents of the Association since its inception and does not include any acting President, President Elect or Immediate Past President.

Mr. Winston Smith - JTA President 2021-2022

Mr. Winston Smith

2021 to 2022
Mr. Jasford Gabriel - JTA President 2020-2021

Mr. Jasford Gabriel

2020 to 2021
Mr. Owen Speid, JTA President 2019-2020

Owen Speid

2019 to 2020
Dr. Garth Anderson, JTA President 2018 - 2019

Dr. Garth Anderson

2018 to 2019
Mrs. Georgia Waugh Richards, JTA President 2017-2018

Georgia Waugh Richards

2017 to 2018
Howard Isaacs

Howard Isaacs

2016 to 2017
Norman Allen

Norman Allen

2015 to 2016
Doran Dixon

Doran Dixon

2014 to 2015
Mark Nicely

Mark Nicely

2013 to 2014
Clayton Hall

Clayton Hall

2012 to 2013
Paul Adams

Paul Adams

2011 to 2012
Nadine Molloy Young

Nadine Molloy Young

2010 to 2011
Michael Stewart

Michael Stewart

2009 to 2010
Doran Dixon

Doran Dixon

2008 to 2009
Ena Barclay

Ena Barclay

2007 to 2008
Hopeton Henry

Hopeton Henry

2006 to 2007
Ruel Reid

Ruel Reid

2005 to 2006
Michael R. Clarke

Michael R. Clarke

2004 to 2005
Wentworth Gabbidon

Wentworth Gabbidon

2003 to 2004
Sadie Comrie

Sadie Comrie

2002 to 2003

Paul Adams

2001 to 2002
Lorraine Judith Spencer-Jarrett

Lorraine Judith Spencer-Jarrett

2000 to 2001
Nadine Scott

Nadine Scott

1999 to 2000
Byron L. Farquharson

Byron L. Farquharson

1998 to 1999
Patrick R. Smith

Patrick R. Smith

1997 to 1998
Juno Gayle

Juno Gayle

1996 to 1997
Helen R. Stills

Helen R. Stills

1995 to 1996
Sherlock Allen

Sherlock Allen

1994
Cyril Lerbert

Cyril Lerbert

1993 to 1994
Ray Howell

Ray Howell

1992 to 1993
Rosemarie Vernon

Rosemarie Vernon

1991 to 1992
Kenneth Thaxter

Kenneth Thaxter

1990 to 1991
Dorothy Raymond

Dorothy Raymond

1989 to 1990
Eric Downie

Eric Downie

1988 to 1989
Dundee Hewitt

Dundee Hewitt

1987 to 1988
Prof. Errol Miller

Prof. Errol Miller

1986 to 1987
Victor R. Edwards

Victor R. Edwards

1985 to 1986
Noel K. Monteith

Noel K. Monteith

1984 to 1985
Rudyard K. Ellis

Rudyard K. Ellis

1983 to 1984
E.M. Val Grant

E.M. Val Grant

1982 to 1983
Edward Nugent

Edward Nugent

1981 to 1982
Hugh Dawes

Hugh Dawes

1980 to 1981
Woodburn Miller

Woodburn Miller

1979 to 1980
Dundee Hewitt

Dundee Hewitt

1978 to 1979
Leo A. Oakley

Leo A. Oakley

1977
Wilfred Titus

Wilfred Titus

1976
Ellorine Walker

Ellorine Walker

1975
Victor R. Edwards

Victor R. Edwards

1974
Clinton R. Muschette

Clinton R. Muschette

1973
John J. Searchwell

John J. Searchwell

1972
Fay E. Saunders

Fay E. Saunders

1971
Glenville Owen

Glenville Owen

1970
Wesley Hewling

Wesley Hewling

1969
Fay E. Saunders

Fay E. Saunders

1968
Aubrey Phillips

Aubrey Phillips

1967
Wesley Powell

Wesley Powell

1964

The Secretary General is responsible for the day to day administrative matters of the Association and is supported by secretaries responsible for specific areas of the Association. This list includes all elected Secretaries General of the Association since its inception.

Dr. Mark Nicely

2021

Byron Farquharson

2015 to 2021
Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith

2014 to 2015
Adolph Cameron

Adolph Cameron

2002 to 2014
 Eric Downie

Eric Downie

1994 to 2001
 Colonel Woodburn Miller

Colonel Woodburn Miller

1984 to 1994
 Fay E. Saunders

Fay E. Saunders

1974 to 1984

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