5 Questions with Andrew Hinds: Educator and National Youth Leader

Andrew Hinds found himself unable to read up to his early years in primary school. His academic struggles were remedied by multiple extra classes which would steal a little of his playtime during holidays. Today, Andrew overcame such a great challenge and has emerged as an Educator and National Youth Leader. We have had the opportunity to learn more about Andrew and his educational and leadership journey by asking him five (5) questions. His responses are listed below.

1. Tell us about your educational and leadership journey?

Greetings, I am Andrew Hinds and I am from the inner-city community of Granville, St. James. My educational journey was a bittersweet period; I am a late bloomer academically. I was illiterate; I learned to read in upper primary school. I must thank God for caring parents who believed in education. My parents saw my learning disability and provided extra help in terms of reading classes. I enjoyed school time more than holidays as during the holidays I would be doing extra classes. But this assisted me in learning how to read. In High school, I had challenges with Mathematics. I left Harrison Memorial High School, a Seventh Day Adventist Institution in Montego Bay with 6 CSEC subjects, excluding Mathematics. I eventually passed Mathematics with a grade three (3) after sitting the exam three (3) times during evening classes. This allowed me to matriculate into college. I completed a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education with a major in Social Studies and a minor in Geography from The Mico University College and In September 2021, I will be reading for a Master’s of Science Degree in Development Studies with a concentration in Governance and Public Policy from the University of the West Indies.

My leadership journey started in primary school where I assumed roles such as prefect, but the major aspect of leadership started when I was in grade ten (10). I joined an organization I saw in the Western Mirror Newspaper, the Youth Organization for Upliftment (Y.O.U). This organization was made up of high school students from across St. James and we collaborated on multiple projects such as HIV forums, and other youth led initiatives, which helped us to develop and educate youths within our communities and parish at large. During this time I assumed the role of Group Leader then Vice President for the St. James chapter. I also became a Junior Councillor in the then St. James Parish Council now St. James Municipal Corporation. Here, I gained many experiences on government boards and committees.

While at The Mico University College, I served as Faculty of Humanities and Liberal Arts Representative for two consecutive years, then I was elected Guild President in my final year on the Guild of Students. I also served as Assistant Regional Coordinator for South East Region (Kingston, St. Andrew & St. Thomas) and Acting Regional Coordinator for the Western Region (St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland & Trelawny) 2017-2018. The following year I was elected 2nd Vice President with the responsibilities for National and International Affairs for the Jamaica Union of Tertiary Students (JUTS) within the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. Since then I have also assumed the following leadership roles.

• Youth Advisor to the Government of Jamaica, Youth Advisory Council, Jamaica

• Governor General “I Believe” Initiative Youth Ambassador

• Office of the Political Ombudsman Youth Ambassador

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Youth Ambassador

• Jamaica Representative on the Caribbean Student Union

• Executive Board Member on the Global Jamaica Diaspora Youth Council

• Founder and Chairman of the Andrew Hinds “I Know” Initiative

2. What would you say is most fulfilling about being a leader?

I would say the most fulfilling thing about being a youth leader is to transform lives, especially the lives of young men and women from the inner city because I know what it is like to come from humble beginnings. When it is all said and done I hope to transform Jamaica through great representation and motivation. Additionally, I must mention that my family and friends keep me motivated as well.

3. What keeps you motivated as a leader?

Being able to motivate young people from similar backgrounds such as mine keeps me motivated. To be an example and show them that it is possible to achieve their goals and dreams educationally, professionally, and otherwise. This gives me the drive to continue. I love to see "ghetto youths" move up and I believe that education and integrity can take us there. So in whatever I do, I will always aim to motivate others through my life experiences.

4. How do you create a balance between your personal life, work-life, and being a youth ambassador, youth advisor, and all the other roles you assume today.

I create a balance through time management. Everything I do is on a schedule and I know I cannot take on everything at once, so I look at all I have to do and take it one step at a time. In addition to the leadership roles I assume, I am currently a full-time teacher at the Green Pond High School and I would normally prepare lesson plans way before my classes. I know I have to manage my time well otherwise, I will burn out. As it relates to my personal life, all my close friends and family would normally know my schedule and I always have a time or a particular day set aside for socialization.

5. What advice can you give to other educators and students who would like to assume leadership roles?

As a Governor General I believe Ambassador we were charged by His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, our Governor-General that “Using what’s right with Jamaica to fix what’s wrong with Jamaica” This is one of the profound mantras I live by as an Educator, Youth Leader, and by extension a Jamaican. I encourage all my fellow educators to be the best they can be as a teacher, the best student, and the best community member. The truth is, you don't need a title to be a leader and that is how I have started. I never saw myself as a government advisor in my earlier life. You can do it too with prayer, ambition, and being humble. A platform may help you but do what you can in your classrooms, communities, and any organization of which you are a part. We have so many unsung heroes and heroines within our society and the world. So, if we as a people come together Jamaica will be a better place if we fix what is wrong with us. We are creative and innovative people and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Bonus question – Are there any initiatives that you would like to tell us about?

I was a National Youth Parliamentarian 2016-2017 in the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica for the parish of St. James when I started the Andrew Hinds “I Know” Initiative, where two students from the Primary Schools in my community Granville, St. James are given awards for Leadership. From 2017 to date we have had twelve (12) student recipients.

For more information about the Andrew Hinds "I know" Initiative, connect with Andrew here.