Today I acknowledge and honor Mrs. Berthille Laveist-Chittick bka Teacher Betty. Everyone knows teacher Betty. Passionate and dedicated to her occupation and students for over 25 years. Teacher Betty loves her students, she calls them her children.
Berthille Agatha Chittick aka Teacher Betty born on the island of St.Eustatius on July 20th, 1961. In her early years, she lived on both islands as her Dad was a French national and her mom the Statian.
As there were no high schools in those years on the island of St.Eustatius, after completing 5th grade her parents brought her back to St.Maarten where she lived on the French side of the island and attended school on the Dutch side ( the then Pastor Nieuwindt School Mavo, now Sister Borgia Elementary School where she is presently a Cycle 1 group one teacher) and completed those years at MPC.
She worked at the Bank of Nova Scotia from 1981-1985
During the day she worked and attended the Teacher’s training course at night. She completed her years in 1986 with a
‘Kleuter leiders A” diploma and 1988 her “Kleuterleiders B”. In 2008 as an FBE teacher, She also worked with the Catholic school board since 1986.
Imelda Kindergrten from 1986-2004
Sister Borgia Elementary 2004-present.
Has the held the position as acting principal at both schools, and chairperson of many of the standing committees.
She is grounded in her faith and is an active, devoted member of the Cole Bay Methodist Church. Teacher Betty has served in every area of the Youth Ministry from Cradle Roll to the Young Adult as a committed and dedicated leader. She also served as Congregational Stewards and Class Leader.
She has a great passion for Education and Culture and is one of the actresses and lead singers of the 40 years Cole Bay Theatre Company, where she performed in many live plays of Local and Caribbean play writers, and skits for churches, and many other organizations and groups. A great Mistress of Ceremonies
Other volunteer organizations dear to her heart among others are:
St.Martin’s Veteran Club: A nonprofit sports organization of men and women over 35 years that caters to young athletes and gives back to the community especially the elderly. (As she was a former volleyball player herself)
An executive board member of Peridot Foundation: A nonprofit foundation bringing awareness to eradicate violence against women and children
Helping Hands Foundation: A weekly outreach program caring for our elderly.
A very Humble, Helpful, Caring, Friendly, and people’s person
We celebrate you!