SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - The University of St. Martin (USM) proudly hosted a special presentation this week highlighting the progress of the Caribbean Teacher as a Researcher in the 21st Century (CTR21) project, as teachers from both Sr. Magda Primary School and the John A. Gumbs Campus showcased the work completed during Phase One of their professional development journey.
CTR21 is centered on advancing 21st-century teaching competencies by supporting educators in strengthening essential skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, collaboration, creativity, and resilience—all through a research-based approach.
Guided by USM’s faculty team, particularly Mrs. Juliana Hodge-Shipley and Mrs. Marva Sam-Arrindell, participating teachers engaged in research workshops, hands-on activities, and collaborative assignments crafted to transform instructional practice in the modern classroom.
During the presentation sessions, teachers from both schools shared their research projects, classroom reflections, proposed interventions, and demonstrated how CTR21 principles are already being integrated into daily teaching. Their presentations reflected professional growth, teamwork, and a renewed commitment to innovative, inquiry-driven education.
At the conclusion of each session, USM presented certificates of completion to the teachers of both Sr. Magda Primary School and the John A. Gumbs Campus, officially recognizing their successful completion of Phase One of the CTR21 program.
The certificates represent not only the educators’ dedication, but also the beginning of a broader journey in research-based professional development as they move forward into subsequent phases.
USM commends the teachers, school leaders, and the Catholic School Board for their outstanding participation and engagement. Their commitment to continuous learning underscores a shared mission to strengthen education across St. Maarten and equip the next generation with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. USM looks forward to continued collaboration as the CTR21 project advances.
CTR21 is a practitioner-based study aimed at cultivating an inquiry-driven mindset among primary school teachers on the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.
Funded by the Dutch National Governing Agency for Research in Education (NRO), the project is a collaboration between Instituto Pedagogico Arubano, the University of Curaçao Dr. Moises Da Costa Gomez, the University of St. Martin, and the University of Aruba.
John A. Gumbs Teachers
