From Student to Journalist: How Educators shaped my journey
By Zoila Palma: The life of an educator is inspiring, rewarding, and at times exhausting, but it is also one of the most important professions in society. As Belize celebrates Education Week 2026 under the theme, “Building Tomorrow’s Dreams on the Foundations of Today’s Education,” I reflect on the many educators, mentors, and family members […] The post From Student to Journalist: How Educators shaped my journey appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By Zoila Palma: The life of an educator is inspiring, rewarding, and at times exhausting, but it is also one of the most important professions in society.
As Belize celebrates Education Week 2026 under the theme, “Building Tomorrow’s Dreams on the Foundations of Today’s Education,” I reflect on the many educators, mentors, and family members who helped shape the woman I am today.
My love for learning began at home at a very early age. My parents always emphasized the importance of education, discipline, and respect.
While attending Santa Elena Primary School, I always tried my best to meet expectations and push myself academically.
My years at Saint Ignatius High School further opened my mind to the many possibilities life had to offer. I still remember staying after classes trying to balance accounting trial balances because Ms. Dez Avila (now Dr. Dez) patiently explained the credit and debit entries repeatedly until we understood them.
At the same time, our English teacher Carmito Sierra ensured we completed our Macbeth summaries and vocabulary assignments. Their dedication and persistence taught me discipline, responsibility, and perseverance.
All of those sacrifices and lessons paid off when I graduated as Valedictorian of the Class of 2007. That achievement was not mine alone. It belonged to my parents, teachers, classmates, mentors, and everyone who supported me along the way. We achieved it together.
After high school, I enrolled at Sacred Heart Junior College, where I decided to pursue a career in education. I was inspired by educators who encouraged me to aim high, work hard, and believe in my abilities.
I later graduated with honors from the Primary Education Program thanks to the guidance and mentorship of outstanding education professionals, Juliet Moguel and Janine Quiroz.
My teaching career began at Saint Andrew’s Anglican School, where I entered the classroom with my teaching license and a passion for helping students learn and grow. Along the way, I was blessed to work alongside educators and mentors who contributed to my professional growth and development as a teacher.
Today, I am proud to say that those years of learning, teaching, and guidance helped shape me into the woman I am now — a journalist with Breaking Belize News, the manager at Palma’s Lumber, a community activist and proud Belizean woman.
Every accomplishment I have achieved reflects the countless years of education, encouragement, sacrifice, and support from the educators who helped guide me.
For that, I simply say: We did it.
The post From Student to Journalist: How Educators shaped my journey appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
