Showing posts with label educator. Show all posts
Showing posts with label educator. Show all posts

Sunday 18 June 2017

My Tribute to My Father on Father's Day.


What better way to pay tribute to my Father on Fathers Day but by promoting his Biography.
Book Description
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator, is the memoir of a great Educator.
Do you know that at one time Education was not a priority?
The young teacher Andrew overcame all obstacles and became a trailblazer in Education in his country climbing the ladder from classroom management to school principal.and superintendent of schools.
Later in life, he became a Presiding Elder in his church and preached many sermons, some of which are appended to his biography.
His story is both motivational and inspiring.
An Amazon Reviewer stated, "The book in its lifelike and meaningful way depicts the story of a great man, a true exemplar, a national hero."

Brief History about Dr. Khan

He started his career as a pupil teacher at the Exchange Presbyterian School at the age of seventeen. He pursued and passed all studies for the Pupil Teachers’ and Teachers’ Examinations. He completed the Teachers’ Certificate Examination in 1927, and at the age of twenty- two, attended Naparima Training College, where he graduated with distinctions in four subjects two years later.
After his graduation from Naparima Teachers Training College, he taught at the Waterloo Presbyterian School, Exchange Presbyterian School, Preysal Presbyterian School, Elswick Presbyterian School, and Princes Town Presbyterian School.
His first appointment as a Headmaster was in January 1938 at the age of thirty- three years at the Jubilee Presbyterian School twelve miles southwest of Sangre Grande.
Eight months thereafter, the Board of Education appointed him as Headmaster of the Union Presbyterian School where he spent almost fifteen successful years of his career as a Headmaster. He was instrumental in building a church in that area, as well as in having the school rebuilt to accommodate a growing school population.
Between 1944 and 1945, he studied and obtained the College of Preceptors Diploma and earned the designation A.C.P.
He also gained membership in the Royal Society of Teachers, earning the designation M.R.S.T.
The Board of Education appointed him as Head Master of the Penal Presbyterian School in 1952 and he was granted the opportunity to act as an Inspector of Schools for one month in September 1953.
During 1954 to 1955, he spent one academic year at the London University Institute of Education, studying Post Primary methods, on a Government scholarship.
He obtained the title A.I.E. [Associate of the Institute of Education], after submitting a 580-page thesis on “An Appraisal of the Secondary Modern School and its suitability for Trinidad and Tobago.”
He gained the Bachelor of Education degree from the Columbia University, U.S.A. after submitting a thesis on “Development of Primary Education in Trinidad.”
He was promoted as Headmaster of the Grant Memorial Presbyterian School in April 1956 and on 5th July 1956, he was promoted to the Inspectorate as the District Inspector of Education in Sangre Grande and North Eastern Counties.
After two years, he was returned to the South as Senior Inspector of Schools, Southeastern counties, until his retirement in November 1965.
In 1971, he took the Presiding Elders’ Course and was ordained a Presiding Elder with License to administer the sacraments in the Presbyterian Church.
In 1973, he obtained a Doctorate in Education from the Florida State Christian University after submitting a resume on his theoretical and practical achievements in the field of Education, a Book Report of the Sociology of Religion, and a thesis on Education and Social Change.
Dr. Khan was married to Beatrice Mary Khan who gave him unstinting support throughout his life. His belief in Education transferred to their ten children, twenty-nine grandchildren, and other relatives, who all held, and continue to hold positions of great importance, some in their home country, and some abroad.
Sir Isaac Hyatali T.C. K.B., former Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago, [now deceased], and a legend himself, who wrote the foreword for the original book produced in 1989 remarked, “He was one of the greatest intellectuals in this society.” Sir Hyatali’s foreword is appended at the back.
Trinidad and Tobago need more citizens of the calibre of Dr. Khan, and indeed much more to follow the example of such a dedicated man, who made numerous and outstanding contributions to church and country in spite of the odds against him.
His peers described him as one of the pioneers of educational statecraft. This book is dedicated to all who knew Dr. Khan and to all those who start at the bottom of the ladder.
Dr. Khan died in 1975. The Presbyterian Teachers’ Association and Board of Men honoured him with gold medals posthumously for faithful service to the Presbyterian Church for several years.
The Book is available at Amazon Universal Link

Wednesday 3 May 2017

Six Fascinating Memoirs and Reviews written by Brenda Mohammed


Book Review

My Life as a Banker
ByBookaholic on July 7, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
My Life As A Banker: A Life Worth Living is a fascinating, intimate story. The author has an engaging writing style that draws you into the story and you feel as though she is talking directly to you, the reader. There is a nice balance between the professional and the personal and while I found the professional aspects rewarding, the highlight for me was reading about the author's interesting life.

The social history aspects of the book also fascinated me, particularly the descriptions of life in Trinidad and I would imagine that this memoir will serve as an important document for social historians in years to come.

This might sound strange to say about a book with Banker in the title, but the author demonstrates quite vividly that there are far more important things than money in life.


BOOK REVIEW

The book takes the reader on a journey of fun and adventure through many travels
By L.K on October 6, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Retirement is Fun: A New Chapter, is a seamless account of family life, hard work, and dedication. The author talks about her impressive career from banker to an insurance agent, to a lifetime member of the company that she worked for. Through it all, she beat the odds of life-threatening health problems. The book takes the reader on a journey of fun and adventure through many travels, work, and family life, that make retirement seem worthwhile.Roza K.


Book Review

TRAVEL MEMOIRS WITH PICTURES Exploring the World By Brenda Mohammed

By Josephine Calabrese on February 15, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
5.0 out of 5.0 stars

Enjoyable Memoirs of Author's Travels

An informative and enjoyable book to read. The author writes of her world travels with her family. She shares her experiences with the reader.
You'll read about the various sites to see in each location, the restaurants with delicious foods, and which restaurants are more reasonable in cost and which more expensive. She writes about the various ways to travel and of the climate of the location. You read her travels to different locations in the world:
Paris, Germany, Amsterdam (Holland), New York (USA), LosAngeles, California(USA), Las Vegas, Nevada (USA), London (United Kingdom), Toronto (Canada), Colorado (USA), New Orleans (USA), Italy, Spain, Miami (USA), Orlando (USA), Caribbean Vacations, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Caracas, Barbados, Cruise to the Bahamas, Cartegena, Cruise to Cozumel (Mexico), Trinidad and Tobago.

Nearing the end of her book she ends with a delightful poem of her travels. This was a nice touch!



Book Review

completed on:
02/16/2017
Review Rating:
5 stars! Download your free 5 Star Seal.Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

I Am Cancer Free by Mrs. Brenda C. Mohammed is the poignant memoir of the author's personal battle with cancer. Her faith in God and proving that ovarian cancer need not be a death sentence are what make this memoir a heartrending read. The author's 'never say die' attitude, the decision not to give up in life, and finally being cancer-free will encourage everyone who has been diagnosed with the disease or who has suffered from cancer. The memoir recounts from the time of diagnosis the experiences the author went through during the treatment, her emotions, fears, finances, until the successful treatment of the disease. It is a courageous story of survival, faith, and strength.

The author chronicles every step of her journey methodically, without leaving anything out, making the narration very personal, honest, and palpable to readers. The presence of God in everyone's life, a positive attitude, and the power of prayers run through the memoir. The author reiterates the fact that faith in God removes all obstacles in life. The conversational style of writing connects well with readers, making it easy for them to understand her journey. The author has also shared the poems she wrote during that phase in her life, where she again speaks about her story, faith in the Lord, and a Higher Power. For all those who are suffering from cancer and are battling the disease, this book is a must-read as it will give them hope, strength, and courage to fight the disease.


Book Review

A Time to Read: A Beautiful and Soulful Tale about Trust and Belief in the Lord!
By Author JB Richardson November 16, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
5.0 out of 5.0 stars

Having herself experienced a lifetime of tragedy and joy, Author Brenda Mohammed assumes the mantle of theologian/philosopher in her quest to understand and explain the elegance and meaning found in the biblical verses extolled in Ecclesiastes 3.
In "Your TIME is NOW: A Time to be Born and a Time to Die", Mohammed fully examines each memorable and precious verse and applies them to her own life experiences.
In doing so, she takes the reader on a journey through a lifetime filled with trials and tribulations, despair and hope, loss and success. The author eloquently defines Ecclesiastes 3, pointing out that, by freely accepting God's will, she has been amply blessed with a faithful family, loyal mentors, good friends, and a full life.
She successfully leaves her readers with a message of hope and inspiration by sharing her belief that, through introspection and prayer, one may find meaning within the events of their own everyday experiences. She appears to be a firm proponent to the old adage, "When days seem at their darkest, surrendering and trusting in the divine will ensure peace and prosperity".
All in all, I found this book to be quite engaging. The author's reflections on her childhood were beyond charming in some spots, yet brought me to tears in others. Her candidness about her relationships with parents, siblings, husband, and her own children reminded me so much of my own family's saga, and I must admit that I was thrilled to find a read that tugged at my heartstrings the way this book did!
For any individual seeking solace and meaning in today's hectic world, "Your TIME is NOW: A Time to be Born and a Time to Die" is a beautiful and soulful read.
Thank you, Brenda Mohammed, for sharing your journey with me!



Book Review

AN INSPIRATION TO ALL
ByJosephine Calabrese on February 22, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator by Brenda Mohammed

Reading of Dr. Andrew Moonir's youth, life as an educator and church leader, I have come to know this man as a decent man, individual of good character, and a man who thought, planned out, and in a step-by-step process persevered to achieve his goals. Great men aren't forgotten and all learn from such men.

If a documentary hasn't been done on Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan's Life, his life should be filmed in a documentary. He is an inspiration.

Josephine Calabrese
Writer, Lyricist, Publisher, and Teacher

AUTHOR’S BIOGRAPHY

Brenda Mohammed is an award –winning multi -genre writer and former Bank Manager who has written sixteen books to date.
She is an accomplished traveller.
Her travel experiences have translated into a captivating array of travel-inspired non-fiction books. A reviewer of one of her books on travel said,
While many people travel, few of us are capable of sharing our experience in a meaningful and relevant way with strangers. This author does a superb job.
Brenda is also a writer of fiction.
This excerpt from a review of one of her books from Readers Favorite confirms that she is very good at it.
Revenge of Zeeka, by Brenda Mohammed, is a one of a kind novella trilogy that delivers an incredible story guaranteed to give readers an absolute sci-fi treat.
I especially liked how Brenda used current events as the pivotal point from which to build this amazing sci-fi horror. This made the story even more relatable. More importantly, however, I admired how she owned her story and created this captivating version of events. She captured with an amazing depth the setting, characters, plot, and emotions in such few words.
Brenda won awards for her books from Metamorph's Publishing and Mc Grath House in 2016. She loves to interact with her readers and other authors.
Brenda lives in the beautiful Caribbean island of Trinidad and is a fan of photography and art.
She willingly donates books to children's hospitals, national libraries, and school libraries.
Feel free to connect with Brenda through Facebook and Twitter.


Buy the books at Amazon Universal Link


Saturday 15 April 2017

Journey of an Educator





Book Description



Do you know that at one time Education was not a priority?
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator, is the historical memoir of an Educator.

It was indeed a struggle for the young teacher Andrew, but he overcame all obstacles and became a trailblazer in Education in his country climbing the ladder from classroom management to school principal.and superintendent.
Later in life, he became a Presiding Elder in his church and preached many sermons, some of which are appended to his biography.
His story is both motivational and inspiring.

An Amazon Reviewer stated, "The book in its lifelike and meaningful way depicts the story of a great man, a true exemplar, a national hero."


TOP REVIEWS

AN INSPIRATION TO ALL
ByJosephine Calabrese on February 22, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator
Brenda Mohammed

Reading of Dr. Andrew Moonir's youth, life as an educator and church leader, I have come to know this man as a decent man, individual of good character, and a man who thought, planned out, and in a step-by-step process persevered to achieve his goals. Great men aren't forgotten and all learn from such men.

If a documentary hasn't been done on Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan's Life, his life should be filmed in a documentary. He is an inspiration.

Josephine Calabrese
Writer, Lyricist, Publisher, and Teacher



5.0 out of 5 starsA remarkable man.
By L.K on January 30, 2015
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Mooonir Khan is an account about the life and accomplishments of a remarkable individual.He came from humble beginnings, overcame adversity and through perseverance and a proactive spirit, became successful. Dr. A. M Khan exemplifies what a headmaster should be, through his unrelenting passion for education. His popularity among his students and excellence in their academic performances is a testimony to this. His conviction in his faith, along with sheer determination and courage, propelled him to make significant contributions as a leader in society, that will always be remembered.
L.K.



National hero
ByC.H on March 3, 2015
5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Format: Paperback
The memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan presented by his daughter, author, Brenda Mohammed, records the life story of Dr. Khan as told by himself in the memoirs he so graciously bequeath to all of us who knew and loved him.
This reviewer has had a teacher-pupil relationship with Dr. Khan and has benefitted tremendously from the exposure to high standards in the educational and spiritual atmosphere he provided.
The memoirs tell the story of a man burnt by the vicissitudes of life, challenging and bitter times, yet has emerged renewed, reinvigorated, refined and restored- a life exemplary in every way.
The autobiography is a true reflection of the author's love for and belief in truth, his high standards of etiquette and his pursuit of model writing skills in the English Language.
The simple, comprehensive, yet sophisticated presentation leaves the reader fascinated and curious to know more of a life that offers much to be emulated.
The physical and emotional traumas shared in the book bring deep feelings of sympathy and empathy. Overcoming early childhood bad experiences through divine intervention strengthens the reader's faith in God. The travails of a teacher aspiring to ascend the ladder of progress met with misplaced opposition inspires dignified patience.
The unreserved and unconditional dedication to family life inspires noble parenting. The zest "to follow knowledge like a singing star beyond the reach of human thought" inspires a passionate mind.
To live the life that God expects us to live, as the author's work demonstrates, inspires discipline and devotion. Nothing less is expected, as the book in its lifelike and meaningful way depicts the story of "a great man, a true exemplar, a national hero."


Books can be obtained from Amazon Universal Link

Thursday 16 February 2017

Journey of an Educator - Memoirs of Dr. A. M. Khan


Memoirs of Dr. A.M. Khan:Journey of an Educator has a new book cover. The book is about the biography of one man's journey in the field of Education when Education was not considered a priority in Trinidad and Tobago. It was indeed a struggle for young Andrew but he overcame all obstacles and reached the highest pinnacle of his career.His story is both motivational and inspiring.
His peers called him a trailblazer in Education, Creative Thinker, Extraordinary, and Family Oriented.



Dr. Khan's life story is very interesting. Read the top reviews that the book received.

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsGenuinely Interesting and useful
By peter Rajkumar on March 31, 2016
Format: Paperback
There is a need for books like this one- books which document the struggle of the first generations of immigrants and their children to carve a place in their society, and then provide the foundation for the next generation to achieve even greater success. In broad terms;. this is general knowledge. What is valuable in this book is the step by step description detailing the roadmap by which one successful educator did so. What is also appreciated is the incidental description of day to day life in pre-independence Trinidad. Congratulations - posthumous though they have to be- to Dr. Khan for the foresight in documenting his memoirs for the benefit of those who -generations later - are curious about the journey. Congratulations also to the biographer -his daughter -Brenda - for identifying the need for these memoirs to be published - and to receive a wider audience than just his family, as well as undertaking the task of bringing the book into being. I would recommend this book for its insights into the secret of success and its transmission to later generations.



5.0 out of 5 starsNational hero
ByC.Hon March 3, 2015
Format: Paperback
The memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan presented by his daughter, author, Brenda Mohammed, records the life story of Dr. Khan as told by himself in the memoirs he so graciously bequeath to all of us who knew and loved him.
This reviewer has had a teacher-pupil relationship with Dr. Khan and has benefitted tremendously from the exposure to high standards in the educational and spiritual atmosphere he provided.
The memoirs tell the story of a man burnt by the vicissitudes of life, challenging and bitter times, yet has emerged renewed, re-invigorated, refined and restored- a life exemplary in every way.
The autobiography is a true reflection of the author's love for and belief in truth, his high standards of etiquette and his pursuit of model writing skills in English Language.
The simple, comprehensive, yet sophisticated presentation leaves the reader fascinated and curious to know more of a life that offers much to be emulated.
The physical and emotional traumas shared in the book bring deep feelings of sympathy and empathy. Overcoming early childhood bad experiences through divine intervention strengthens the reader's faith in God. The travails of a teacher aspiring to ascend the ladder of progress met with misplaced opposition inspires dignified patience.
The unreserved and unconditional dedication to family life inspires noble parenting. The zest "to follow knowledge like a singing star beyond the reach of human thought" inspires a passionate mind.
To live the life that God expects us to live, as the author's work demonstrates, inspires discipline and devotion. Nothing less is expected, as the book in its lifelike and meaningful way depicts the story of "a great man, a true exemplar, a national hero."


5.0 out of 5 starsA glimpse into the life of Trinidad in the early twentieth century ensconced in the autobiography of a great educator
ByArabella Persaud on January 28, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition
This book is a fascinating account of the life and career of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan as he advances from teacher to Headmaster, to Inspector of schools and later Senior inspector of schools before his retirement in 1965 at the required age of 60.
The book is put together by one of his daughters, Brenda, who serves as narrator. The story is actually told in the first person, in Dr. Khan's own words, as he relates his experiences throughout his life and career in the island of Trinidad.
Born to parents who emigrated from India in the late nineteenth century, Dr. Khan describes his simple yet idyllic childhood in the countryside.
He loved nature and enjoyed a closeness with his parents. The era in which he grew up was one of zero technology. There was no electricity or any modern day conveniences in those days. However, his childhood was happy and he fondly remembers the stories told to him by his mother.

Dr. Khan recalls his first adventures in school and his natural abilities. However, he was unable to attend school for four years at one stage because of an unexplained illness for which his mother eventually found a cure. He finally was able to return to school and excelled in his studies. Dr. Khan eventually started working under the pupil-teacher system in Trinidad and rose through the ranks very quickly.

In this book, we see the difficulties of operating a school in a society that did not value education. It was the teacher's responsibility to collect children and take them to school. As a young teacher, Dr. Khan had to awake early to collect the boys and girls of the village to take them to school. This was not an easy task. However, it was necessary for him to keep his job. With hard work and sheer determination, Dr. Khan's career advanced at a rapid rate.

Dr. Khan's rise from humble beginnings to a successful educator is inspiring. The advances in his career are amazing. His family life is interesting. His words of wisdom are everlasting and should be adopted by the younger generation. The worldview portrayed in the book is fascinating. The book documents the changes in Trinidad from a colonial nation to an independent country in 1962. The progress throughout the country during the period of Dr. Khan's life is evident in the change of his living conditions.

Dr. Khan remains humble and acknowledges that his success could not have come from himself alone. He praises his wife, his family, and his constant faith in God. After his retirement, he achieved what he had always dreamed of. He wrote and submitted a thesis to the Florida State Christian University and was granted a Ph.D. degree in Education. He also spent most of his time working on numerous committees at the Marabella Presbyterian Church and the Synod. Not only was he a tireless educator, but he was a firm believer in God and in doing what was right and just.He kept on contributing to society all he could until his death in 1975.
Everyone can benefit from reading this autobiography and seeing how one simple man's extraordinary faith, struggle, and determination allowed him to achieve more than he had ever thought possible. The book clearly shows us that success is attainable for anyone who is willing to reach for it. I recommend this book highly.


5.0 out of 5 starsA remarkable man.
ByL.Kon January 30, 2015
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Mooonir Khan is an account about the life and accomplishments of a remarkable individual.He came from humble beginnings, overcame adversity and through perseverance and a proactive spirit, became successful. Dr. A. M Khan exemplifies what a headmaster should be, through his unrelenting passion for education. His popularity among his students and excellence in their academic performances, is testimony to this. His conviction in his faith, along with sheer determination and courage, propelled him to make significant contributions as a leader in society, that will always be remembered.


5.0 out of 5 starsInspirational and reminiscent book
ByReviewed.By.Me on December 1, 2014
Format: Paperback
Dr. Khan's memoirs highlights his professional and personal accomplishments at a time when education was not a seen as a valuable resource. Reading about his life back in the 1950's and how much he accomplished in his field is personally inspiring. His writing remains relevant today such as his views on education, women, family and hard work. The author did a good job in organizing his life events and inspiring letters written about him. This book makes me believe I can do anything once I set my mind to it.


The book is available at Amazon Universal Link

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Education without Religion is merely a galvanized corpse.



Dr. A.M. Khan was born in the year 1905 in Trinidad and Tobago. It was a forbidding society in which young Andrew lived. Being the son of indentured immigrants, albeit liberated, helped little to relieve his difficulties. Yet, he propelled into a great scholar and was recognized by the Trinidad and Tobago Government for his excellent work as a teacher and a Head Teacher, and was granted a scholarship to pursue Post Primary methods in the United Kingdom. He achieved success after success with incredible frequency and distinction, so much so that he soared to the very top of his career and achieved all of his goals. He fathered ten children who all excelled in their own careers. Dr. Khan was God -fearing and the type of person who believed in preparation. Readers will be amazed to know what his family found in a desk drawer upon his death.
This is a story from which many lessons can be learnt.

The following is an extract of a sermon which Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan preached in the Marabella Presbyterian Church in Trinidad in 1973:-


" You are indeed fortunate, extremely fortunate I should say, to enjoy the blessing which a benevolent state has bestowed upon you, her children – a free education. To you have been given freely that which great men of the past have obtained only with many sacrifices and much labour. Will you then be “the whining school boy or girl” spoken of by the poet “with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping unwillingly to school?” Or will you be enthusiastically looking forward to attending school with a zest and zeal born out of the knowledge that your entire future depends on your regular and punctual attendance at school, and a program of systematic studies.
Never had life afforded such channels for culture, knowledge, influence, and power, as now. Going to school was never more prevalent in any of the cities of the ancient world as now. The privileged people of the world are relatively few, speaking from a comparative point of view. You students are very lucky to be among the favoured few to be placed in the Garden of God in a manner of speaking. But the Garden of God is not only a place of opportunity but also a place of work and more work.
Even Adam had to work in primitive Eden. He was put in Eden “to dress and keep it.” He was not simply to lie down and laze under the trees and have a good time. You students are there in the Garden of God. I tell you, Eden means work. Kevin Ganga, 1971 Jerningham Gold Medalist and Scholarship winner said, “I worked hard to succeed.” Unless you want to work, success will elude you and you will be a dropout, and you certainly do not wish to be that.
If you make up your mind to work hard at your studies you will have no time to do foolish things to spoil the reputation of your school, because every student has the reputation of his school very much in his hands. Revolution is a twentieth century reality. The question facing us is which revolution. We must choose the revolution that values persons, that talks on basic issues in our society. The Church needs a revolution within itself.
There were no street demonstrations, mass rallies, brick and bottle throwing, fire bombings, and more recently dynamite explosions, when every student had the firm and unshakable conviction that his school was the best school of all. There were no crises in the classroom then.
What is the great aim of education which everyone seems to want so badly? Character formation is the great aim of education. Character is essential to the permanence and prosperity of the State. But character of the moral element is not complete without religion, and Education without religion is merely a galvanized corpse."

Dr. Khan's Memoirs was recently published and is available at Amazon.com
MEMOIRS OF DR. ANDREW M. KHAN