5 Questions with Shevon Edwards

Shevon Edwards rewrote a story of failure and made it a success story. He has had to live through challenging encounters such as poverty, failure, and death. Regardless, he displays resilience and commitment to his purpose. After pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s degree, Shevon moved on to build a teaching career. He is currently a lecturer at the St Joseph’s Teachers College and has been making a remarkable impact on his students’ lives. He is also a Youtuber and business owner.

His love for art was recognized at an early age, through yet again, another moment of discomfort and challenge. It is safe to say he is an expert at transforming unfavourable into favourable. As such, the Education Jamaica Magazine is basking in the privilege of talking with another young, vibrant, and inspirational educator. We hope his answers to these five questions will encourage you to push past your challenges and pursue what you love. Enjoy!

1. Tell us a little about your educational journey.

I fell in love with arts and crafts at the age of seven, and believe it or not, it all started with a little “white lie.” My teacher gave us an art assignment one Christmas season, and I was asked to draw the angel visiting Mary. I was very excited, so I went home and did it. It was a lot harder than I thought. I tried over and over and over, but I just could not get it right. Eventually, my mother saw the frustration on my face and decided to get an artist who lived in my community to do it for me, and he did. The next day I went to school feeling proud because my drawing looked the best. However, when I went to my teacher’s table to submit it, she asked, “did you draw this, Shevon?” I replied, “oh yes, Miss!” She took up her belt, looked me in the eye, and said, “ok, draw it again.” I knew what that meant, and so I took my time and finally did it! When I realised I could draw, I never looked back! By grade three, I represented the school in national art competitions and was even featured on television.

My decision to become an art educator was made in grade ten after being inspired by a teacher I met on teaching practice. His charisma and finesse while teaching made me want to become an art teacher. The journey, however, was not smooth as I was not very successful in my CSEC Exams. I failed two of the seven subjects I did and only received one grade one. After that, I had to work for a year and go back to an extra class. I only redid one of the subjects I failed. I got depressed; I felt like I had failed at life, like it was all over. I wasn’t qualified for sixth form, and I couldn’t afford extra classes.

I was not from a wealthy or even middle-class background, and as such, life had its challenges. In addition, I had very little help academically because none of my parents finished school. In fact, I was the first person in my family to even attend a traditional high school. At age seventeen, I taught my first art lesson at a primary summer school, and I fell in love. So I decided to attend the Mico University College, which made me the first person in my family to attend a tertiary institution. I used my failures in CSEC as a push and promised myself that I would never fail anything again! I worked hard and pushed through the odds.

I am a proud graduate of The Mico University College, where I acquired a bachelor’s degree. I was the most outstanding teacher on Teaching Practice. I then matriculated to the University of the West Indies. I graduated at the top of my class, was awarded the most outstanding performance, and received a master’s degree with distinction. Now I have taught at all levels of education nationally and have even taught internationally. Today, I am a lecturer at the St Joseph’s Teachers College, the CEO for SOVinci paintings, and operate my channel, Art Made Simple. My journey was not easy; I lost people along the way, and I struggled financially. But God, coupled with my determination and a good support system of friends and family, got me through.

2. What is most fulfilling about being an educator?

Being an educator is like being a gardener. In the being, things don’t seem like much, It’s all dirt, seeds, and a few weeds. But with time, patience, and nurturing those seeds, you will find a beautiful garden. The most fulfilling thing about being an educator is the life-changing impact I have on my students, both young and old. There are a lot of students across Jamaica who are struggling academically, and it’s not because they are incompetent but because they are not being nurtured the right way. Each child is different and requires a different type of attention. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it when you sit on graduation day and watch them as they celebrate their success. My goal is to make all my students better than me.

It’s also fulfilling to realise the many lives you actually save as many young people struggle with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts. This profession has allowed me to create an atmosphere that allows me to reach these students and pull them back over the ledge. Believe it or not, teaching is not only about content and assessment, it’s about helping your students find their place in the world and find a reason to go on.

3. What is your primary source of motivation?

I had two main sources of motivation; for my first degree, it was my family. I wanted to break the tradition and be the first to graduate from a tertiary institution. I also wanted to do it for my parents as I knew they didn’t make it past grade three in primary school, so I dedicated my bachelor’s degree to them. However, my second degree came when I decided to honour the wishes of my late fiancé, Shanice Lewis. Before she passed, she gave me a list of things she wanted me to do, and obtaining a master’s degree was one of them. She believed in me, and that propelled me along my journey.

4. What is your formula for success?

My formula for success is God, times Faith, plus a Good Support System (Family and Friends) multiplied by Determination and Consistency. I think it would look something like this: GOD x FAITH + GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM x (DETERMINATION + CONSISTENCY)

5. Share one piece of advice with young men on how to deal with failure.

Failure is a construct that only exists; you only truly fail when you give up or stop trying. The thing about failure is that it gives you a first-hand lesson on what not to do, and therefore it’s one of your best teachers. It’s like doing a test and finding out about all the wrong answers. If you know which answers are wrong, you can eliminate them, eventually finding the correct answer. Knowing what not to do is just as valuable as knowing what to do, and failures teach you what not to do.

Failures will come in life, but it’s how you respond to them that will make a difference. Never give up on yourself; even if society, friends, family, and loved ones give up on you, never give up on yourself! Never stop when it gets complicated; only stop when you are done! You can pause, catch your breath, but never stop. You’re the master of your life; you decide your story, not poverty, pain, sickness, and definitely not failure. You are powerful; all you have to do is believe it, repeat it, and you will achieve it.

Finally, never be afraid to ask for help. We can’t be good at everything, and sometimes we will need to acknowledge our weaknesses and ask for help if we need to. Life isn’t a journey you have to take alone. Always ask for help if you are struggling, and that’s why you need a good support system. In addition, never be too busy to reach behind you and pull someone else up because there is enough success for everyone.

Connect with Shevon here!