Small Islands, Big Impacts: How Caribbean Roots Contribute to a Culture of Excellence at MAS Charter School

It’s not at all uncommon for students at Mission Achievement and Success (MAS) Charter School to walk through the halls and hear a teacher or staff member cheerfully greet them with “Wha a gwaan?” 
Those students might pause, smile, and feel an instant connection, or maybe they’d respond to the Jamaican greeting with their own version of, What’s going on? It’s just one of the hallmarks among many within our school community where the vibrant cultural heritage of the Caribbean contributes to daily life, learning, and leadership.

This June, during Caribbean American Heritage Month, we’re shining a light on some of the MAS educators and leaders whose Caribbean backgrounds bring resilience, creativity, and cultural pride into our buildings and classrooms. Their stories and experiences reflect a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives. What they bring is a unique tradition, fueled by a daily commitment to excellence that helps define the MAS experience.

Caribbean Culture at MAS Charter School

"Culture isn’t a costume we put on for a month,” says Dr. Janice Julal, Secondary School Leader at MAS and a proud Jamaican. “It’s a daily expression of who we are.” Her words echo in every hallway greeting, every classroom story time, and every high expectation set for students.

That blend of warmth and discipline comes naturally to Dr. Julal. Growing up in rural Jamaica, drawing water from the river and doing homework by lamplight, she learned early that strength of character matters. Success, she told us, begins with presence, perseverance, and purpose.

Stories That Empower

For Ms. Sharon Ali, a 7th Grade Reading Teacher at MAS, and Ms. Ceema Guyadeen, M.Sc., English Language Arts Leader at MAS, both from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, storytelling is essential to their focus on delivery of the MAS mission. Their upbringing within a multicultural mix of African, Indian, Indigenous, and European influences taught them that stories help shape identity and resilience.

“Reading was my escape, my window to the world,” says Ali. She still turns to West Indian authors like Samuel Selvon and Merle Hodge to inspire her students. “I teach with the hope that my students, too, will discover books that speak to them, comfort them, and challenge them.”

Ms. Guyadeen, who grew up in a family of educators, sees teaching as a calling. “We bring the warmth of community, the fierce ambition that comes from knowing education changes lives, and the unshakable pride in culture and identity.”

For Some, Education is Liberation

Dr. Julal emphasizes that Caribbean culture nurtures high expectations and deep perseverance. “We’re taught early that circumstances don’t define our potential. Our mindset and faith in learning do.” That belief aligns with MAS’s vision of being a model for how high-quality education can transform lives, thus proving that demographics do not determine destiny.

This shows up in classrooms through oral storytelling, call-and-response techniques, and culturally grounded conversations. “We teach and lead with warmth and firmness,” she says, “setting expectations, holding students accountable, and celebrating progress.” She reminds students they are “small but mighty,” drawing from the Jamaican proverb “wi likkle but wi tallawah.”

Leaders from The Caribbean Who Live What They Teach

Ms. Shanique Walker, M.Ed., Yale Middle School Campus Leader, is also originally from Jamaica. Her journey into education is deeply personal. As a teen mom, she remembers what it felt like to be underestimated. She also remembers the educators who refused to give up on her.

“My parents made school a priority no matter the circumstance. That mindset shaped me,” Walker says. “Showing up consistently isn’t optional. It’s a responsibility.” Her leadership is grounded in presence, structure, and empathy, values instilled by her Jamaican upbringing.

From day one, MAS Founder and CEO JoAnn Mitchell, Ed.S., knew the staff had to reflect the world her students come from, as well as the one they’ll enter after college and at the start of their professional careers. “Hiring educators and leaders from different cultures enriches our curriculum,” Mitchell says. “Our Caribbean American team members bring a blend of resilience, warmth, and high expectations that resonate with the families we serve. It’s part of what makes MAS a unique place to learn and grow.”

Building Community, Celebrating Heritage

At MAS, we don’t limit cultural celebration to a single month. From potlucks featuring jerk chicken to casual hallway conversations in cultural lingo, the presence of Caribbean culture at MAS is ever present. Music fills the gym, students sometimes choose to greet teachers in island dialects, and staff members engage in stories of shared values and traditions.

“When we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month, we affirm the identity, stories, and contributions of students, staff, and families who often go unrecognized,” says Dr. Julal. “It helps build understanding and a more unified school community.”

From the hills of rural Jamaica to the classrooms of MAS, these educators and school leaders carry the spirit of their homelands with them. Their presence shows students what is possible when culture, high expectations, and personal care come together.

“We never saw teaching as just a job,” says Ali. “It was always a way to uplift others.” At MAS Charter School, that legacy lives on in every classroom, every lesson, and every student who learns what it means to be seen, supported, and empowered — regardless of their personal circumstances, cultural heritage, or current or past academic performance.