.png)
Pulse of the Caribbean
The Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast with Kysha captures the Caribbean spirit. Listen to the latest news from the region, interviews with beautiful Caribbean people making exceptional contributions worldwide, and travel with us as we highlight destinations and activities. Inspirational messages are also shared. Experience the essence of the Caribbean right here.
Pulse of the Caribbean
#29 Terence I Corbett's Journey From Near-Dropout To Principal: A Story of Faith, Music, and Leadership
What happens when a near-dropout becomes a school principal and a beacon of hope for young minds? Join us for an engaging episode as we welcome Terrence I Corbett, a Caribbean school principal with deep roots in Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands. Terrence shares his inspiring journey from the brink of leaving school to leading Schools in the Caribbean. Through his heartfelt stories, we explore how mentorship and community support can transform lives, underscoring male educators' critical role in shaping the next generation.
Learn about his collaborative projects with students, which aim to spread messages of hope and unity through powerful songs and the release of a new music single. This episode is a testament to the life-changing influence of education, music, and faith in building a brighter future for our communities.
We release new Pulse of the Caribbean podcast episodes every Thursday, so there's always something new to discover.
Contact us at biz@pulseofthecaribbean.com to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
All right. Terrence I Corbett, caribbean school principal, lifelong educator and Songwriter, is our guest on today's Pulse of the Caribbean podcast. Hi, welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean podcast. I'm Keisha and I invite you to join me as we showcase the finest of the Caribbean. On today's Pulse of the Caribbean podcast, terrence I Corbett, Caribbean school principal, lifelong educator and songwriter, is our guest. Only approximately 3% of early development teachers nationwide are men, which experts believe can have an impact on our young children's perception of gender and role identity. According to research, having access to varied teachers benefits for children. For the youngest learners, this means that they are more likely to be exposed to different types of plays and communication, which helps them develop healthy gender concepts. Today we speak with Terrence I Corbett, a middle school principal in the US Virgin Islands, doing his part to inspire others and work with children in the Caribbean. With that, we say good morning to Mr Corbett. Welcome to the Pulse of the Caribbean podcast.
Speaker 2:Good morning Blessings. I always say God's day and all his benefits to everyone. To you, miss Keisha, thank you very much for having me on your podcast, the Pulse of the Caribbean. I'm excited to be here and to share today and I pray that everyone embraces what we discussed today.
Speaker 1:Awesome. So we are the Pulse of the Caribbean. So tell us what makes you Caribbean, your Caribbean heritage of the Caribbean.
Speaker 2:So tell us what makes you Caribbean, your Caribbean heritage. What makes me Caribbean and my Caribbean heritage is, of course, again being born in the Caribbean. My parents both parents they are now deceased, but born in Montserrat, british Virgin Islands. They moved to St Thomas because they wanted a better way of living for their children. I'm the last. They call me, the baby of the family, but what makes me Caribbean is just being together in a place where people come together and we work things out. It's that village, it's understanding that we have to build together and, to be honest, that's one of the things that I would love for us to see again. I think there's a little decline, but when you move from one place to the next, what made me Caribbean was my parents always spoke to the Antiguan in the area, they spoke to the Trinidadian in the area and I saw them as the leaders who worked together, hand in hand, to make sure things worked for the children that were coming behind them.
Speaker 1:That is awesome, and that is certainly true about our Caribbean people. And, as we shared earlier, the teaching profession is a predominantly female-run field, where there are many women. So tell us about your experience as a male entering the field of education, why you chose to be an educator, what inspired you?
Speaker 2:That is a loaded question. I must let you know that, yes, the females dominate the education world. What led me to become an educator is I met some great teachers who believed in me. To be honest, I actually wanted to drop out in 10th grade. People don't know that I was going through things not having people to speak to. And I met a person.
Speaker 2:I was actually walking up the ramp at Ivani Durkan High School and I was singing and this senior came to me. She said were you singing? And I said yes, and she said come, follow me. So I followed her, thinking well, this senior girl is interested in me and stuff like that. But she took me to the choir room and that was when I met Josandra Jones James, I still speak to her this day and she gave me an audition and you know, there I just got into the schooling and I realized that music was a source of escape when I was going through.
Speaker 2:And, to be honest with you, although I went to my school years and I did what I needed to do to pass, because my mother always told me some of your family members didn't get through schooling, but you are my last and you're going to make it I didn't want to, but people believed in me and I applied for scholarships. They gave me scholarships and I didn't want them, to be honest, and it was my teacher. Because I wanted to be a police officer or a fireman. Believe it, you know every young child. Why do you want to be a policeman? Can you see the gun? The fireman, you know you're out in fires. But because I went to schooling, they said you know what? I think that you would make an excellent educator in the field of music. And that's how I actually got into the music field through just under Jones James.
Speaker 2:And then I later met Austin Benzen Um, may he rest in peace. He became my uh, my adopted father and he said son, he called me son Um in the absence of my dad. At that time, all of my dad was there. We didn't have the best relationship, but he took our vested interest in me and he said son, I believe in you and you're going to get your life together. You know there's so much potential in you. You told me your story and I'm here to push you forward. So that's what got me into education, just people believing in me, telling me to apply.
Speaker 1:And here I am today and I give God credit. That is so amazing in terms of the impact that others can have just by reaching out and encouragement, which is so vitally important. So, as a leader of your school, as a principal in charge, you're in charge of fostering the environment conducive for teaching and learning, for healthy school culture. Tell us about your school culture at the Bertha C Bershelter Middle School on St Thomas, virgin Islands and how you work with your faculty staff, students attending your school, as well as, perhaps, the parents as well.
Speaker 2:Correct. Thank you very much for that. The culture at Bunches, super Shelter Middle School it's a welcoming environment. I love the people that I work with and you know, like anything else, there's some negative thing that you want to get out, but more so I must say that you know people embrace it, the culture of the school. I still want it to be better. I told them that I'm one, that I'm greedy for positive things and I want to see the positive reign over the negative situations.
Speaker 2:I know that we are inviting we have discussions those who don't want to come in and join a positive crew. You know, we just demonstrate what we need for them to do and it's up to them Because because again, we are working together with our students for our students to come on a positive page. Um, the faculty and staff at the school, um, they're doing great things although they're overwhelmed. Um, in this time of living, you know we've experienced covid and we've experienced the hurricane. But the one word of ours where people say that we are resilient people and we always rise above that and it's to always say you know what, in the negative, the positive outweighs the negative and we are just encouraging people, especially on that campus to go above and beyond and just not within that small school community, but take it beyond the gates of the school. And that's the way we operate and we are inviting our children to also learn from us as we demonstrate greatness and we also tell them that they are the future. You know, they have to understand that they are the future.
Speaker 2:Just like I was told and just like I saw when my parents, growing up in Bavonia, in a small community, people working together for the greater good we as adults, no matter what we think about them, what we know about them, we have to be the ones to say, okay, you are messing up, but we're still going to help you. Why? Because someone did it for me, people did it for me, because, again, I always wasn't squeaky clean and that's a culture that we have there and we want everyone to embrace, embrace that and just help our children be who they need to be. And as adults, we need to step up and be who we God wants us to be. I'm going to say God needs us to be and just show for that the greatness of human, of the human society.
Speaker 1:Now, one of the things that you mentioned of course, sometimes not everything is perfect and we do have positive as well as negative vibes. Certainly that can be around us and that's just a part of our living do you see as challenges to education for our students and how can students and perhaps their parents be assisted in setting our students up for success? And I know you also mentioned, of course, with the teachers in the classroom. Certainly there are a lot of challenges as well for our teachers. So what do you see as the challenges and how can we set that community, the school community, up for success? Because when we speak about the school community, that deals with our teachers, it deals with the students, it deals with the parents. So this is the village, your village. So what are the things that you see as challenges and how can we help everyone that's a part of that community to be successful?
Speaker 2:I think the major challenge right now is us not being able to come together and sit down on a table and say we are not going to agree on every single thing. We are not going to agree on every single thing. However, let us bring solutions to the table that would help us, on a daily basis, to move forward from us, and we have to work together. Yes, I know that there are infrastructure issues the buildings aren't the best, the classrooms aren't the best but there are still things that we can do to help our children come together. And just that point finger saying oh, maintaining isn't doing what it needs to do. The principal isn't doing what he needs to do, the teachers aren't doing what he needs to do. The teachers aren't doing what he needs to do. How can we come together to make things work, to ensure that our children understand that we can come together to fix these things on the campus, that when they grow up and they're in leadership roles, that they know how to maneuver through to make things work for their generation. It's about having that conversation and understanding that we can come together, hand in hand, to make things work for their generation. It's about having that conversation and understanding that we can come together hand in hand to make things work.
Speaker 2:I think that's the major challenge. Some people don't want to go that far because they figure, okay, if I say anything, I'm going to be looked at. The one that they hate. It's not that we still need your input. The delivery is what matters, and I think that's a challenge. Sometimes we don't know how to deliver information for us to come out and experience the greater good.
Speaker 1:And you know, when you say that, I think about a couple or a couple campaigns and as a community.
Speaker 1:A community is about building together, as you said earlier, helping one another. Community is about building together, as you said earlier, helping one another and things may not be the best perhaps, and American Red Cross and so many different groups that came together to assist and help. There's also, as we know, across the United States, things like Habitat for Humanity and even within church communities as well, where churches will go out on mission and help maybe a neighbor, whether it's painting or doing different things mission and help maybe a neighbor, whether it's painting or doing different things. So tell us, in terms of of those meetings, whether it's the parent, teacher, student organizations do you have those conversations in terms of ways and getting parents out and involved? Do you also incorporate feedback from students in terms of, perhaps, some of the things that they'd like to see happen on their campus? And certainly we can't be all, do all, but how do you incorporate, you know, getting folks involved and taking feedback in terms of, or receiving recommendations in terms of things that can be done and how perhaps it can be accomplished?
Speaker 2:Well, that is part of our school improvement plan, of course, hearing from the community. So right now we do have some organizations that are coming to the school to help our children, as well as the faculty and staff, to improve the school culture and the infrastructure of the school and definitely, when it comes to the part with student voices, we give them an opportunity to express themselves. I know, lately two girls, two young ladies, came to me, mr Corbett, they stopped me in the hall and they said may I have a word with you? And I was like, okay, are y'all looking to interrupt me? You know, because of course I like to have fun just the same. And they said, no, we would never do that. And of course I gave them praise. And they came to me with a listing. They are upperclassmen. And they came with a listing and they said Mr Corbett, we would like to have senior week and these are the things that we would like to for us to partake in. And I listened to them and of course, again, it's the same thing.
Speaker 2:But, like I said, sit down and hearing the voices. And I said, okay, so let's compromise. I said I need you, two females, to be the business cards of voice to speak to your peers, because whatever you want, I am willing, the school is willing to assist you all. But the thing that we need for y'all to do follow the rules, the regulations on the campus. So once we see that, we could come hand in hand and it would work out great. So we listen to them and we incorporate those things, but we need not for them just to bring the stuff to the table and speak about it.
Speaker 2:But we must see the demonstration and those two young ladies left there. They spoke to their friends and others came and I'm having conversations with them just the same and I'm looking forward to see, you know, the brighter light, because at BCB we are with the burning blazers to keep our torch lit. I want to see that that torch remain lit and, as we always say, our distinguished torch will never be extinguished. That's because of students like them that come and say you know what this is, what we want to do, and we, as adults, we guide them in the right direction. So it is happening and I look forward to more community members coming to assist us, for again I'm going to say the greater good and the education of our children.
Speaker 1:And that is so awesome hearing from the students and also empowering them as well because they are the ones, those that come out, those that take the lead.
Speaker 1:And certainly when we speak about children being the future, it's about them taking positions of leadership. And those two young ladies certainly you have empowered them to be leaders and to foster community and a coming together of their peers, certainly to work things out as they would like to see it, of course under your leadership and the support, of course, of the other students, faculty and perhaps their parents, in seeing things come to fruition. So certainly it's not just about talking but also empowerment and working towards seeing the light for those things happen. And you mentioned burning blazers, so tell us your school's mission and your personal values as it relates to that mission as an educator.
Speaker 2:Well, definitely, the mission is something that we have at heart and it's to maximize the academic, emotional, physical and social growth of all our students. That's the mission of our school and when we say all, we really mean all. We know that we have different subsets. We have our EL students those who speak Creole and Spanish, you know and we have, again, different people from the community. We want no one to be left out, because it is a melting pot the school is, and we need everyone to know that we are there to fulfill our mission. We don't want anyone to be left out. And the second part of your question sorry, I know you mentioned a mission and there was something else.
Speaker 1:And basically I said, your values. You know how do you see your school's educational philosophy evolving with your leadership.
Speaker 2:With that, I must say, the school values we let them know to be respectful, be responsible and be safe. That's something they hear on a regular basis and it's just not within the school walls. We are teaching them to be lifelong learners. So, no matter where you go, you always be respectful. Respect goes a long way and even if it's not reciprocated, it's to be demonstrated. Be responsible, own up to what you do. It's okay to say sorry. As an adult, as a principal, as a human being, I apologize to students if they feel that, um, I did something wrong and you know I would say well, I apologize if you feel that way, but now allow me to assist you to move on from where you're at, because again, we have to work together. I don't want it to be there. And then, being safe as a value, no matter where you go, you always want to make sure you're comfortable enough that you can function within your area. The philosophy of the school and I can give you my philosophy For me, education is a lifelong journey of learning and growing.
Speaker 2:I see that every day, through our experiences and our interaction, we gain knowledge and insights about the world that we live in and how to navigate it and it's a cycle of what to do and what not to do.
Speaker 2:What you put into your toolbox is what you should use, and those things that you learn and you don't want to take into the future, you leave that outside your toolbox. You know again. You see the positive and the negative, and in education we're trying to tell the students the same thing too. We are here to educate you, just not with a book sense, but common sense, because we need for them to function everywhere they go, in their homes, you come and you tell us good morning and we greet you, and in the same time you may be struggling at home. We are here for you, but we still want you to go and speak to your parents, your siblings, and greet them. Good morning, good afternoon. I love you. You know how may I assist you? It just doesn't stop there. It goes beyond the four walls, and that's all about learning. We just don't learn in the buildings. Every single day we learn something, and that's what we want the children and everyone to understand.
Speaker 1:And going back to the earlier part of our conversation, something that you mentioned. Going back to the earlier part of our conversation, something that you mentioned which is so vitally important Sometimes as educators and even in our walks of life, when we encounter where their parents may be or what their parents may be experiencing, and sometimes those can be burdens on the students that are just trying to make their way and learn Another thing that you mentioned and so that's why it's so important to encourage and inspire and, I guess, show compassion to the children when they come to schools, and sometimes I guess with that it's also understanding and looking at them, because we never can tell what those dynamics are, that they may need a hand or may need encouragement or need that guidance, and certainly it is a lot, and a teacher perhaps can be looked at or educator can be looked at in many different ways because you could say, basically a student spends what?
Speaker 1:What percentage of their time do they spend with a teacher? Of their time do they spend with a teacher? When you look at a day, what percentage of time do they spend away from the home and in school or around an educator? So certainly it is a lot, but certainly compassion and understanding and sometimes there can be difficulties with that. But another thing that you also mentioned was about the melting pot, where we have students from a variety of cultures there in the US Virgin Islands, where we have Hispanic, where we have students that are having English, I guess, as a second language. So we have Hispanic and French-speaking students and embracing those students to make sure that they are embraced and a part of the process. So tell us about that in terms of embracing English as a second language, those students and to make sure that they feel welcome and a part of your school community.
Speaker 2:Oh, most definitely.
Speaker 2:I'm going to say sometimes as a highlight of my day when we have the ELL students, because I love to speak their language, I'm trying to learn, so of course I welcome them Bonjour, ça va Parlez avec moi?
Speaker 2:You know, just in Creole and in Spanish, and just to see the smile on their face, it's like what, and that's a little bit that I know, you know, like they did light up and that gives me an open door to give them that welcoming feeling, because of course, they're coming from a different place and you want to make sure that they're comfortable. And I always tell them you know, I will teach you and you will teach me. I am not too old to learn, you know, and there's something that they have in their toolbox that I need to learn, and they have to see us as individuals who are really there to assist them get through their educational journey. And because it ties into our mission at all children again that we need to make sure that they go through the social portion, emotional, academic. That social portion is very, very important because they're going to leave us, they're going to go other places and they're going to know that for a fact that people cared for them and they will be the best people that they can be.
Speaker 1:The other thing is Caribbean culture is a part of education, and when I look, just as the global landscape, I think that the Caribbean we have such rich cultural traditions. So tell us about culture as a part of education, and is there any time throughout the year where there is a coming together of cultures and sharing a dish or, you know, a Caribbean culture day at the school, so that way we can learn about each other, your students can learn about each other and their cultures?
Speaker 2:Well, we don't call it the cultural day, but it happens ever so often throughout the school, a teacher will take the initiative to try to get to know the children better. So therefore, they have like the little skits, they have the dances, they come with the food. You know, they will contact the assistant principal under the principal for approval and it's always a definite yes because again, we want to make them feel comfortable. And then when we have the opportunity, more so like around February, black History Month, that's when we bring everything together and we have them just display like all that they have done, and it's always a grand time to see that they are no longer in their shell. They come out and they're so comfortable and they receive the accolades on a bigger scale and it makes a difference.
Speaker 2:You know, even up to last year we had them we have this little tented area during lunch time and they actually performed. You know our EL students. They performed down there with the dancers and everything and of course people were dancing along and it was a grand time. They were embraced and it makes a difference and that's what it's about.
Speaker 1:That is so awesome to encourage the sharing of culture and certainly for the teachers doing that and going the extra mile to, like you said, bring students out of their shell and certainly share their love and their culture and their story with others to see and enjoy.
Speaker 1:That is so awesome. And as we look at at the landscape and our students, you know, moving forward, what are three important values that you want to share with parents in terms of helping their children succeed through their educational pursuits? You have them when they're coming in and perhaps you can share with us educational pursuits. You have them when they're coming in and perhaps you can share with us about middle school, because middle school, that's that bridge where you're taking them from the elementary, which is where they just started starting from fifth grade, through the eighth grade in the system there now in the Virgin Islands. So just tell us that is such a vital part in terms of their trajectory and moving them forward. So just tell us about the important values and that vital stage and age that they're in as they're looking forward and they're coming into their being, as they move forward from middle to the next level and making sure that we have their captured attention.
Speaker 2:Correct. I look back at myself because I remember going to Borda Super Shelter. It was junior high school at that time and it was seventh and eighth grade. So I always reflect on myself being a student first and, of course, a teacher second, an assistant principal third, a principal fourth, but always as a human being. And you know I went through my struggles and I know my parents always told me, especially my mom, about.
Speaker 2:She always talked about the discipline aspect. So I, when I said discipline, I don't mean about abuse and the beatings. It has to be about being respectful in the area, how you communicate with people, no matter if you feel that they are belittling you. If they're talking about you. That'd be discipline. And represent, as she always told me represent God first and then the family name. I couldn't understand it back then. Represent God first and the family name. And I want parents to understand that their children are going to bump into several people that may not have their best interest at heart, but they should pour into their children from home, have the conversation and let them know that they are. Pour into their children from home, have the conversation and let them know that they are valuable, they are worth it, that they're there to support them, that when it comes to those people, that the stuff that we never used to hear about in the past, about depression and the mental health and stuff like that that these children would be able to stand and say you know what, my parents believe in me. And it goes to now those teachers who see those children and have the value of saying you know what, I know you are valuable. I put worth in them so they can stand amongst the crowd, raise their head, stand tall and say I am worth it because my parents believe in me and others believe in me. This possibly mean I want to connect with me now, as we are all puzzle pieces, but one day that puzzle piece is going to fit. That's the one thing. The discipline aspect, the respect Always have respect for every single person. I'm seeing now, whereas the middle school they're going through a lot Social media has captivated them and nothing is wrong with social media, but again, it's what you put into your system and they need to understand that we are here to help them. That's the biggest thing, because again I'm going to repeat it, that they are the future and we can't set them up to be failures, so we need to tend to be respectful.
Speaker 2:Long gone are the days where I see children, you know, respecting the police officers in uniform. Remember, I said I wanted to be a police officer, so therefore I respect those people in those type of positions. And I'm seeing students now, when they speak to them, how they speak to them yeah, yeah, dog. And we just redirected and said no, let's say yes, officer, you know, you know, have that conversation. So it's not about downing them, but have the respect of how they communicate. And I always tell them just the same you may not be the best speaker there is, but at the same time too, I need you to speak like, if you are the president of the United States, like you're the governor of the Virgin Islands, that you are in that Senate seat, that, like you are a teacher, you want to be able to deliver and then still be respectful in all that you go through.
Speaker 2:And then for the parents, lastly, the one thing I would want them to do is, even if the parents know that they can't assist their children to find and embrace positive role models for their children, there are people out there willing to assist to make sure that our children, and the parents, too, are the best that they can be, and I think too many times that we shy away because we don't want people to know our business, but at the same time, too, we need each other.
Speaker 2:We need each other. So I am one that I have learned that I don't shy away. I share my testimony. I'm not ashamed to say I wanted to drop out in 10th grade, but I can also say there were people who invested in me and that's why I'm here today, by the grace of God, and I know that I have to do the same for others and I want others to do the same for every person that they come in contact with. So for the parents, again is the same for every person that they come in contact with. So for the parents, again, it's just to speak to your children about just being disciplined, being respectful, and also just to communicate stuff to people that they can trust, and they too can find those positive role models to get them through on a daily basis.
Speaker 1:And, with that being said, you spoke about social media. So, in addition to like any type of stressors for those students, is there uh intervention in terms of on campus, uh, in terms of school counselors that the children know that they can reach out to because of whether, whatever stressors they may be on them, because of whatever stressors they may be on them, whether perhaps at school, because that happens at times, or even through social media, or even in their home, where they may need that help and assistance? So is that something that the students know of, or that you make them aware of on a regular basis, so that they can find or seek the help perhaps that they need if they don't know exactly where to turn?
Speaker 2:Absolutely, absolutely. We do have our counseling members on campus, our guidance counselors, and they go above and beyond. The students know they can speak to them and things will remain confidential, but outside of that, they also meet the adults on campus. There are some students who will be honest with me and say, well, I don't want to speak to the counselor, I've built a relationship with teachers, so-and-so, and that's the person I'm speaking to. And I always tell them as long as you can find someone that can help you through and you want again to demonstrate the positiveness of what you've learned, that's more than enough for me. Because, again, to demonstrate the positiveness of what you've learned, that's more than enough for me. Because, again, when I was back in school I don't remember speaking to the counselor I spoke to that teacher, like Mr Ari Ari our next music teacher, you know God bless his soul, rest in peace who took an interest in his students, and we were able to have dialogue.
Speaker 2:Stuff that I didn't share with my parents at a time I was able to share with them, and those were the teachers. Um, that would say like, listen again, I believe in you and those words when you do it, people look at you like you believe in me because I I look back. Like you, you believe in me. And then I had to dig with dig deep within and I'm like you know what.
Speaker 2:Okay, now I I heard what my mother said, I heard what my father said, but that's what they have to do, that's, that's, that's their role as a parent.
Speaker 2:But now, hearing an outsider of the house tell you that it's a world of difference. So that's why he said that, um, the parents should find um positive role models. And then, two, the students should know that there is a place that they can find on the campuses, the guided counselors and or those teachers who embrace them, the adults who embrace them to help them through what they're going through. And they should also stick a stay away from the negative social media content, because they know, you know, sometimes it may be a struggle, but it's okay to tell a person I'm struggling, this site always pull me and help them to get them away from them. But they must say they must open up and they must receive the help that is there for them. And that's a struggle for them. I know it's a struggle, but we are still willing to assist them through that struggle to bring them to where they need to be.
Speaker 1:And one of the things in our conversation that you mentioned you attended the very school that you are now the principal of. Tell us about that feeling and what makes you most proud as an educator.
Speaker 2:Okay, I can tell you I can go back. I can let you know that I was principal at Joseph Gomez Elementary. I attended there. I was well, I was principal at Joseph Gomez Elementary. Yes, I am principal of British West Shelter Middle School now and assistant principal at Ivana Yudorican High School all the schools that I attended. So that's trivia and history within itself. Again, never thought it would have happened, but again, god and the direction of my teachers, that's why I'm here.
Speaker 2:I must let you know that in Joseph Gomez Elementary School I laughed every single day and I said, god, you're humorous, because I remember getting beat from the assistant principal in the same office I was principal. So I share that story with my students. You know I told them that was a problem. Yes, oh my gosh, I'm telling you every single day. I went inside there and I remember the position that I had to take and I smiled as a guy. So I would share that information with my students and let them know. You know, and it's not that again, it was that the administrator wanted to abuse me, it was that discipline aspect that it was back then. Back then, it was back then. And when I saw yeah, back then, when I saw Mr Newton. I thanked Mr Newton for what he did, believe it or not. I said thank you very much for those 10 paddles because I remember it. But I also remember the conversation. It was just. It just wasn't the 10 lashes, it was a conversation as to the why I was being punished because I did not do what was expected of me. Now, this day and age, we don't punish them in that way, but we still have the conversation At Bodice, boshasta Middle School and the Udurican.
Speaker 2:I am proud to be an educator, a Virgin Islander, and it's just knowing that the system. We may not look at the system through our eyes as being the greatest, but I'm proud to say that I was raised, people took an interest in me and now I know, by the grace of God, I am giving back and I just want to thank the people who understand my heartbeat and those who understand that I'm not bigger than anyone else. So I love, I'm proud of sharing my testimony, if you wish, because when they look at me, you know they can see that I'm human and that's that's the reason why I do it, you know. And then God allows me to tell them because they need to hear that Mr Corbett been through some things. And that's when I see children start to say like to hear that Mr Corbett been through some things. And that's when I see children's leadership like you, mr Corbett, you did that. Yes, I did.
Speaker 1:And look at me now you know, so there's hope for you just the same. That's why I tell the students Awesome, and you know one thing, and I just want to go back and edit that because you know, and I'll just put this probably like, move it, move it around, but just tell us, um, before I move on to the other part, um, about your, about your entering education, because you said you went to school on, you didn't just become a principal, obviously. So just give me briefly, in terms of your, your starting education and how you rose to the level as a principal.
Speaker 2:Okay, my, my starting education after receiving my scholarships. Like I said before, did not want to go to school. My mother told me to take the scholarships and I also applied for financial aid. I went to the University of the Virgin Islands and I majored in music education Again. Why? Music was like a heartbeat for me and it was an outlet for me to escape all that I was going through in the world. And after becoming an educator in 1997, I spent two years at Adelita Cancrine and then I had an opportunity to meet the dean of students at Akron University. The dean of students at Akron University wanted to be a counselor, but he said that they only have a free ride for a master's in music. So I did that and I did that for two years and I came back being a teacher at Bordesee-Bushelter Middle School.
Speaker 2:I stayed at Bordesee-Bushachelet Middle School roughly 11 years and during those years someone actually bumped into me, yvonne Pilgrim, and that's my mentor. She was a principal as well, as I don't remember the young man. He worked in the post office and he said you know what? You would make an excellent administrator. And I was like nope, not me, not going to happen, no way, no way, no way, that's not for me. And then one day he hit me like why not you? And I started doing classes.
Speaker 2:And after doing my classes I got my master's in administration, applied, interviewed. Well, let me go back. After my teaching for 12 years, I got the assistant principal position. That's after me doing my studies and applying, went through the interview process and that's how I ended up at my alma mater, the Ivana Udurkin High School, home of the Dynamite Rays D-Rays I have to put that in shouting out. And after that I spent five years, then did my master's, then did my certification in the principalship and then got an opportunity where I was an acting principal at the elementary school and then just progressed as they moved me and put me to a place where I love, being middle school, because it was at middle school that someone first took interest in me before I went to Udurkan and wanted to drop out in 10th grade.
Speaker 1:All right. So thank you so much for sharing that. Now, another part of your skill set, of who you are, is you're a songwriter and musician. Tell us about that side of Terrence I Corbett, terrence I Corbett, your music.
Speaker 2:That side of Terrence. I Corbin From young. I knew that I always loved to sing. My mother always told me I was always singing. She was the one who encouraged me to sing and there were times that I just didn't want to sing. I knew it was an outlet, but there was some time I wanted to be rebellious, to be honest or not. My mother would say sing something I'd be like. Well, no, I don't want to. And I put myself in bondage Going through my seventh grade year. That's when I met Mr Ari and I got into the instrumental portion. I wanted to play trumpet but he said no, we need clarinet players and he gave me the clarinet. So I'm also a clarinetist.
Speaker 2:I studied, lived, breathed that with my music and the singing I know throughout the Terrence the singer is one who now sings as a born again Christian who's accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I sing songs that are uplifting to people, to hear the word through the message. I want to tell you when I was I'm going to say quote unquote nothing is wrong with this being out in the world. People know me from singing with a group called G-Storm. We've been to the Apollo, but I didn't need for that to be the highlight. Yes, it was on there with Malvon Gumbs, lee Michael Lake, cellen Heskey. It was dynamic.
Speaker 1:And you all went to the Apollo.
Speaker 2:Yes, we did, we did, we were well-received, did a lot of stuff on a different here on Ireland Well-received, and people still remember us back there. But then, of course, there's always a shifting. There's a time and season for everything. So my music has shifted where I give God the praise because God was still in there in that group just moving and doing things. And there's always a time for you to shift in the area of where God really needs you to be, always a time for you to to shift in the area where god really needs you to be, and the music now is again delivering his message. So I do have, um, some singles out and a lot more to do in the studio and is right now is always coming from the word of god.
Speaker 2:Um, the. The latest single that we've done I've done with youth, because I thought I was going to do by myself, but I know that god woke me up one day and he said, nope, get, get the youth, get the youth Again. And it goes back. Somebody did it for me. So I have to show them what God has shown me and others have shown me that we need them, and they collaborated on a song saying that we deserve to live and it's because we're seeing a lot of our children and just people, human beings, in the Virgin Islands, vi sons and daughters, and, of course, in the Caribbean. I know we said VI sons and daughters, but we're talking about globally as well that they are dying senselessly because we don't come together and just have a conversation of why all the strife, why all the negativity? And there's a purpose for all of us to live and there's a positive reason. But sometimes we just embrace the negative and, believe it or not, these students are the ones who will come and tell you that they are hurting. I was tired of hearing my colleagues saying um, you know, remember, this child who we taught got shot, got killed, and teachers have a list of students that they've taught that are deceased and it's hurtful.
Speaker 2:And the song was brought in when I went into the studio with Bruce Plamond and Leon, who introduced me to you, and I was there speaking about a next song, that the first song that was released by Aaliyah Paul and I. I wrote the song and it said a message for you and the message was telling people, of course, to you know, give their life to Christ. And looking around the studio, believe it or not, I saw some words that said level up and just seeing the posters and a song was already being birthed in my head. So when I left the studio, I was actually recording as I was driving and I called him back and I told him listen, there's a song playing in my head based on our conversation and a jingle came forth. So I did the jingle they played every Saturday and then out of the jingle the song was brought in, after having conversations with the student and praying to God and say what would you have me to deliver to your people?
Speaker 2:And that's how it is. All the songs that I have now is a testament of my life and all the greatness of God and I'm just looking forward to sharing it with people. And it's not for anything monetary or notoriety, it's just for the betterment of us living in a community where I know that it's possible for people not to hurt, to hear all the deaths and all the struggles and stuff like that is us coming together, to work together and know that peace can happen if we sit down and say again I don't agree with you, but we can still make it work. We're not going to kill, we're not going to destroy, but we're going to build and we're going to work forward but we're going to build and we're going to work forward.
Speaker 2:And is there a name for the group that did this collaboration with you for the song? You know, unfortunately there's no name for the group, but I would love to call ourselves True Worshippers, because when we get together it's just a time of worshiping God and then just deliver what he needs for us to deliver. And again, I can name the names. I want to say thank you very much to Aaliyah Paul. Aaliyah Paul is currently a sophomore at Charles Amalia High School. We also have Renee Brown. She is now a student at the University of the Virgin Islands. And we also have Donald Birmingham, who has his CD coming out, the Gospel CD. Shout out to him. I'm on his CD as well.
Speaker 2:Excellent student in our community, went to BCB Middle School. He was our first honor student. He was the first honor student at Vander Udurken High School and he's also on the album, also drumming. He's a musician and I give them shout outs as well as and just again to Malvin Gumbs. Again, he was in a group with me. He's a producer of the album and many, many more. Donald Birmingham, who's Donald's father. He played bass on the track and just giving them shout outs and saying thank you very much for being a part of what I know God is allowing us to do for the community and beyond.
Speaker 1:All right, so give us the name of this single and introduce it to our listeners is the name of this single and introduce it to our listeners.
Speaker 2:The name of this single is we deserve to live. Um, I am introducing this song to you because it is just a true, this factual. We deserve to live through it all. Um, take away the strife, put on the guns, the knife, any type of weapon you know, put them down and just know we deserve to live because it's a purpose for us all.
Speaker 2:And I'm not here to preach, but I know in the word of God. I know that there's a heaven and hell and God wants heaven for us. I don't want to see anyone going in a negative place and we deserve to live on this earth and to live for all eternity. So enjoy, if you hear the track. We deserve to live For those who have passed on senselessly. We pray for the families because we know that they're hurting and know that they have a special place in our heart, because we want them not to be depressed, we want them not to go through any type of struggle. We want to let them know that we are here to help them and we are thinking about them and their families as well. So we deserve to live.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Now I just have a quick question. I know that you said that this was not necessarily for sale or anything like that, but did you want in any way to like, maybe, if anyone wanted to make any contributions to any cause? You know whether with the school or anything like that? Did you want to say anything about that? Or you know if somebody wanted to give in any way?
Speaker 2:Well, I do know that the music is on different platforms I can't name all of them, but it's going to be on Spotify, itunes and I think this single is. They charge like $1.29 for the single. So if they want to download it for purchase, we welcome that. Again, that's not the key intent is about the message. But also, I know people have been speaking to me about I know, the vision God gave me about a video concerning the song. So once they see a clip I know Malvin Gubb did a clip of us in his studio and once they see that and just to do a bigger video, it's going to take a lot of money and if anybody wants to sponsor us, we ask them to sponsor us concerning that so we can get the video out there. Because, again, we want to send the message that we deserve to live um and it will be something welcoming.
Speaker 2:And again is not for terence I corbett, is for um humanity, um to get the information out there. So look for it. Um, if you see it, you can make contact. You can um send me an email, terence icorbit, gmailcom. Um. Reach out to anyone that can get to me and we'll move forward from there. Send me an email TerrenceICorbert at gmailcom.
Speaker 1:Reach out to anyone that can get to me and we'll move forward from there and it would be under true worshipers.
Speaker 2:I know that's something that you had mentioned before in terms of locating the song. To locate the song if they want to actually Google, because someone told me hey, I Googled you and I saw your name. I was like what? So I did it myself. Of course, my educational information came up to how much I make and stuff like that. But they can google. Terence I corbett, um, they can google the song we deserve to live, or they can go to youtube or any platform stated that we deserve to live.
Speaker 2:I know that right now we took down the song, but we're going to put it back up. I know there was a little tweak in the mastering issue and, of course, I heard from my brother, malvon, and he said, okay, well, let's do this here because I'm going to be honest, because I believe in honesty, I saw when I was uploading the song and I said, um, make any enhancements. So I figured that I can do that. But going back now to the person who made it, he was a masterpiece, so I am going to put up the original that we did, just being honest. That's the way we work together and build together, you know. So, again here I am being transparent, so we're going to put that up and then they can just enjoy the song Again in its fullest.
Speaker 2:So they can just Google or they can just go to the platform and say we deserve to live, and they will see the song and just hear the message. That's the key point. Hear the message. Drop the gun, drop the knife. Live your life. Allow me to live my life. Let's save our lives. You know, virgin Islands, sons and daughters, human beings, let's live and on a higher level.
Speaker 1:That's just like across the united states where there's that message black lives matter. So certainly, when you think about that it, it crosses over. While we may be speaking to the Virgin Islands and the young in the Virgin Islands, certainly it is a message that transcends across the globe for those areas where we've lost so many young. Now, what is your message to Caribbean educators about their role in fostering the next generation?
Speaker 2:To Caribbean educators. I want us to look back on our lives, and I know I said it before remember where you came from. Yes, look at where you are at, but remember where you came from. Always remember yourself as being that student going through the educational journey. Remember what it took for you to becoming a teacher and beyond, and remember those teachers who and those people in your life that you want to emulate. Remember those that did not do you justice through your eyes. Still love them, release them, but be positive to every single person that you come in contact with.
Speaker 2:Our children is a different era, with all the technology and social media, and we have to be mindful that they're going through things that we didn't experience.
Speaker 2:But we must still educate them and let them know that values and morals still exist and lead them towards the positive light. I know it may be a struggle and sometimes you may want to give up. I have wanted to give up several times. But then just know that there's a plan and purpose for your life and just allow yourself to feel great, not just at the end of the day but throughout the day, as you help our children become our future, that, when they are finished, that they can speak well of you, because you don't know who's going to write a book. You don't know who's going to be in an interview mentioning your name, like I am today. You know, just be the positive light and know that someone. You may not get your accolades back then, but you will get your accolades when it's time. So just be encouraged and just do the best. I always say this be better than your best on a daily basis.
Speaker 1:And you know, when you said all of that it comes to, it begins with a teacher. It starts with a teacher. And what is your message to Caribbean nationals about our people and our global impact? Like you said, it could be somebody that wrote a book or that's on the world stage. You never can tell. So what is your message to Caribbean nationals about our people and our global impact?
Speaker 2:Caribbean nationals, please don't count us out.
Speaker 2:We are 32 square miles.
Speaker 2:I have traveled and I've met people and they didn't know about the Virgin Islands.
Speaker 2:They've heard about us, but not getting the intimate part of who we are, and I know that this is a time where you can Google and get information, but back in our times, you know the Caribbean the national people figured that we basically weren't worth much, but we stand out and we stand strong because Caribbean people again, when we come together, we will make things work. We are resilient, we push past the barriers and we end up successful on a regular basis, not boasting of ourselves, but always bringing someone else up with us to make sure that we can say we are Caribbean people and we are strong. So I want to let the national people and those in the Caribbean yes, you are up in the United States now, but stand strong. Let them know who we are, not boast and just say that you're better than them because we are all equal in humanity but bring them to understand who we are. Tell them don't count us out and work with them for the greater good of our children and humanity on a whole.
Speaker 1:And what is your life philosophy and what is?
Speaker 2:your life philosophy, my, my life philosophy at this point in time is um, just always to one trust in the almighty creator, god. Um, everyone may not believe in the, the God that you serve, and it's it's his job to pull them to understand who he is. I believe in Jesus Christ. That's my belief. But I respect people because God did it for me. I wasn't always here. I don't tell people that. You know, this is what you must do, this is what needs to be done.
Speaker 2:No, because I realize, in educating our children, we are all in different places and that's why we differentiate the way we teach our children. Some will be kinetic, some will be auditory, so we have to find them where they're at and make sure that works for them. And you know, you just don't force things on people. But my philosophy is going back to life. Philosophy is for me to trust God, take on his daily plan and just make sure that I do better than my best on a daily basis. That, at the end of the day, even if and I'm being so honest even if my wife, who is Keisha K-I-S-H-A I know you have a Y and I love her daily, my backbone, my support, even if she decides that she's not going to appreciate me, that I still go on trusting that God has already worked it out for me and worked it out for everyone.
Speaker 1:Awesome, any favorite Caribbean sayings.
Speaker 2:You know what? I have heard this from my mother and it stuck with me. May her soul rest in peace. She always said if you don't hear from your air, you will hear by your ring. Again, it doesn't. It doesn't talk about the um, the blows, but at the same time too, you know there are things that they've been speaking to us as adults. You know we speak to children and we want for them to hear.
Speaker 2:And it just saying if you don't take our directions, there's going to be some struggles that you're gonna have to go through, you know. So it's best that you Take the routes and don't take that detour that you would have to hear the GPS, a rerouting. You know the road is right there. I am telling you what you need to do. But if you take that detour road, you're gonna have to go to the bumps, bumps and the hurdles, but it's going to get you right back to where you need it to be. So hear it, do it and don't go to the consequences. But if you still go to the consequences, know that you made that choice. But we need for you to be in the right place. If you don't hear from your air, you will feel by your air All right. Well, terrence I Corbett Yuri.
Speaker 1:All right. Well, Terrence I, Corbett, Caribbean school principal, lifelong educator, singer, musician, songwriter.
Speaker 2:Thank you for being our guest on the Pulse of the Caribbean podcast. Thank you very much, keisha, for having me. It was a pleasure. Blessings to every single one. My name is Terrence I Corbett, a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, principal human first singer, songwriter, lover of people. And this is the Pulse of the Caribbean, and I am also the Pulse of the Caribbean. Blessings to one and all.
Speaker 1:Thank you for joining us on the Pulse of the Caribbean podcast, where we shine the limelight on spectacular destinations, notable events and exceptional Caribbean people making positive impacts around the world. We are one Caribbean. Spread peace and love, and if there is one thing you can do, be kind and never look down on someone unless you're helping them up. Pulse of the Caribbean podcast is a production of pulseofthecaribbeancom. We release new episodes of Pulse of the Caribbean Podcast every Thursday, so there's always something new to discover. If you love listening to this podcast, please leave your review and subscribe to our podcast on your favorite streaming platform. Visit our website PulseoftheCaribbeancom to read interesting articles and visit our travel page to connect with tourism sites in the region. And visit our travel page to connect with tourism sites in the region. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram and tell your family and friends about Pulse of the Caribbean and pulseofthecaribbeancom. Until next time, may God bless you. One Caribbean, one love.