Today we’d like to introduce you to Phelisa Ricketts.
Phelisa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a very rural community in Jamaica with my grandmother, where we shared the same bedroom and bed until I was 17 years old. My father died when I was seven years old and my mother developed a mental illness which prevented her from taking care of me. I grew up questioning my purpose and my worth. I grew up feeling depressed and ashamed of myself and my family because of the constant tease from my peers. It was not until high school that I discovered my true purpose. I went to Westwood High School, where my teachers, especially Ms. Winsome Lawson, had a positive impact on my life. I knew I wanted to become a teacher. This was after being placed in state care because I constantly searched for my identity. I was literally hopeless until my teachers took me under their arms and provided for me. I got uniform for school, food to eat, clothes to wear and every single thing that you could think of from my teachers.
I was regarded as one of the top-performing students but my life had no meaning. I did not know where I was going or how I would even reach there. My teachers invested in me. They believed me and that is when things turned around. I was able to graduate from high school with eight grade ones in our regional Caribbean Examinations. I was also appointed as a school monitor and leader of various clubs and societies. I started realizing my purpose and I knew I wanted to become a teacher so that I could positively impact the lives of other students like me who battled depression and low self-esteem.
I was able to start Teachers’ College with the help of Ms. Lawson, my grandmother and the kind contribution of Westwood Old Girl’s Association. (WOGA) I pursued a Bachelors of Education in Secondary Science Education with a Double Major in Chemistry, Physics and Biology. In college, I became very clear on what I wanted. I knew I had to make these people around me proud. I still struggled financially until my second year of College when the Government of Jamaica gave me a full scholarship to cover all my tuition and accommodation on campus.
This alleviated the pressure that I had and I was grateful. I later became the President of the Students’ Council and the President of the Debating Society. I represented Jamaica as an international Debater in the Pan American Universities Debating Championship. After I graduated from College, I taught in several Public and Private Schools. I felt like I still could contribute more. I felt as if the students needed a more practical approach to education where they could become problem solvers. I wanted them to be ready for the real world.
When Covid 19 hit and schools were closed, I was given a letter from a private school that I was working to say that my contract ended. That sent me to another stage of sadness because I had just bought a car and I was like, “Where am I gonna get money for this car?” Things were actually coming together and that is when I said yes! I now have the time to start that school that I wanted. With that, I started Western STEM Academy, which is a global online school for students 6 to 18 years old. We help parents to provide the best quality of education for their children from the comfort of their homes. Our modernized approach ensures that students are stimulated using STEM based model of teaching and learning.
Over the past year, Western STEM Academy has positively impacted the lives of over 5000 students through our full-time and part-time classes as well as our exam preparation for students across the Caribbean. We currently serve students in Jamaica, the Caribbean, USA and Canada by allowing students to discover their true potential and to garner a world-class education that will make our students competitive.
In addition to this, I am the CEO of the Purpose Finder Club, which helps educators and entrepreneurs to discover their true purpose while making the best of the virtual world. I am all about empowerment and independence so I teach various Master Classes and Courses on How to Start and Grow their own Businesses. My purpose in life is to help others to achieve the most successful versions of themselves. I want others to know that success can be ours regardless of our current situation.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I struggled with the death of my father and my mother’s mental illness. These affected me severely. I did not have parental support and I felt alone and unloved throughout my younger years. These caused me to seek attention in different areas. I also struggled with depression and. Growing up, we had no electricity or no running water and I would constantly have to bathe outside. My peers would often tease me about my mother’s mental illness. I searched for love in a lot of negative places. As a teenager, I tried partying, smoking and seeking validation from the opposite sex. All of this was to my detriment. As soon as I realize the path that I was heading down after being placed in a Girl’s home, I knew I had t change my life. I knew I had to make my family proud and to realize my true purpose in life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Western STEM Academy and The Purpose Finder Club?
Western STEM Academy is an online school that focusses on Science, Technology and Engineering. We are an independent, non-denominational, co-educational, private, not for profit and multicultural school. We provide online education to students who are six to eighteen years old. We have a primary school section for grades 1 to 6 and a high school program for grades 7 to 11. We offer a rigorous academic program that is centered around the educational development of our students. Our online classrooms offer a safe and stimulating environment which allows all our students to develop physically, socially, emotionally, creatively, physically and academically. The school was founded by Phelisa Ricketts as a result of her passion for STEM Education and a need for a full-time online school which provides educational development for students across Jamaica. We aim to promote the strengths and talents of all our students.
The primary focus of our school is to inculcate a passion for STEM Education in our students. We provide educational development and classes in all subject areas. All our classes take on a STEM approach. It is our mandate that our lessons must be relevant to real world problems and real-life situations. We ensure that students understand the relevance of each subject and each topic to their life. At Western STEM Academy, class sizes are very small to focus on the learning needs and learning styles of all our learners. We believe that every child has a unique learning style and as a result, we provide opportunities for our visual, auditory, tactile, verbal and logical learners. Our classes are very engaging and interactive. It is our mission to foster a positive learning environment for all our learners.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson that I have learnt is that “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the will to continue that counts”. For me, this means that I should never stop going, even when I have succeeded or when I have failed. There is always another milestone to cross.
Contact Info:
- Email: westernstemacademy2020@gmail.com
- Website: westernstemacademy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westernstem_academy/, https://www.instagram.com/purposefinderstrategist/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpq9_RkAUZ5Y8vA3OQxHf_w
Image Credits
Sherida Christie Hon. Floyd Green Hon. Andrew Holness Alando Terrelongue
