FOR some people, bold academic pursuits are simply a degree on a wall or a series of numbers on a page. For others, the passion to learn more is a path to self-development and empowerment. For Dr. Vashti Lavina Budhram, the drive to know more has been a constant burning fire for more than two decades.
Now a Professor at the Mandl College of Allied Health in New York, USA, Dr. Budhram stands as one of the most prestigious figures in her field of educational leadership. The Guyanese academic is an inspiration and champion for personal development through education. Today, she serves as a reminder to countless young Guyanese women of the true extent of academic excellence.
The Making of an Educator
A daughter of the soil, Dr. Budhram was born and raised in the county of Berbice, with her roots in a small community called Edinburgh. Born into a supportive family, she quickly discovered not only her passion for education but also her immense drive to teach others.
This passion led to her first job and later shaped her career path. “I was raised in a family of six. My mom, dad and siblings supported me throughout my educational journey,” she reminisced. “I started as a pupil teacher when I was 16 plus at Edinburgh Primary School. That was my first place of work. I became a trained teacher when I was 19 years old. I continued to work as an assistant mistress.”
An academic shift from Guyana to America
After proving herself as an educator, Dr. Budhram sought to further her own education. She began her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, where she met influential leaders and teachers who profoundly impacted her journey. Impressive Guyanese educational leaders like Ed Caesar, Ruth Jaundoo, Volika Jaikishun and Shafiran Bhajan, Dr. Budhram said, were major mentors to her.
Dr. Vashti Budhram giving an address at her most recent graduation
“I did my Bachelor’s in education in Guyana at the University of Guyana. So that’s where my post-secondary educational development, after teacher training, began,” she explained. She then continued her academic pursuits abroad, adding, “I did a Master’s Degree in Education and one in Healthcare Administration in the USA. I then pursued and completed my Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership, also in the USA.”
The significance of support systems
Dr. Budhram emphasised the importance of support systems in one’s journey. After leaving home, she found new cheerleaders in people like Cedric Dew, Vice President of Transitional Housing and Executive Director and Juliet Beecher, Senior Youth and Family Director, both attached to the YMCA, Jamaica, Queens. Her genuine love for learning soon gained recognition overseas, particularly as a professor lecturing on law and healthcare ethics. She continues to be grateful to her overseas mentors and supporters in her education journey. She made reference to Dr. Clayton-Rowe, Dr. Sharon Reid Jackson, Royden Gilead and Deborah Ward.
“Both of my studies, my Doctoral and my Master’s Degrees, I had a GPA of 4.0. And imagine, I was struggling. I was a valedictorian for my class when I did healthcare administration. I was valedictorian for my last Master’s in Education programme,” she proudly stated. Her expertise in education has become a valuable asset in her flourishing professional career.
Serving the underprivileged
Dr. Budhram’s versatility and generosity shine through her involvement in several major educational institutions. Her primary professional responsibility lies in serving underprivileged youth and families. In fact, she is an international advocate for education for underprivileged learners. She also addresses the social and emotional well-being of young people.
Added to her achievements, Dr Budhram pioneered the development of many young teachers, much as her mentors in Guyana did for her. “I was the Literacy Professional Development Officer for Region Six before leaving Guyana. I felt honoured to have been given the opportunity to coach young teachers in Region Six to become highly professional as they pursued their careers. In addition to my several activities in the USA, I am the site director and education specialist at the YMCA, Jamaica Queens.”
Turning obstacles into opportunities
Where others might see impossibilities as setbacks, Dr. Budhram views them as opportunities. She shared that her driving force was simply accomplishing what she was told she could not because of the odds. “The motivation for me to become a champion is when I was told what I could not be. I then decided that no negativity would hold me back, and I would strive and develop with or without validation. My family members and mentors continue to be supportive and I am determined to journey forward and help others on the way,” she asserts.
Empowering women through education
The 49-year-old mother of five is a vibrant advocate for the education of women and girls, especially those facing adversities. Drawing inspiration from her own challenges, Dr. Budhram sees education, in any field, as the first step to creating a better way of life. “I have a passion for young people to see them achieve in life, and especially women. I want them to know that we have the strength and we can do impossible things if we just believe in ourselves. And so, I advocate for a lot of women, especially those who are experiencing many challenges which appear to be unsurmountable. I have had rough times, but I never gave up. I still made it,” she shared.
Giving back to Guyana
Never one to turn her back on her home, Dr. Budhram frequently returns to Guyana and aspires to play a larger role in developing the country that shaped her. “My future endeavour is to be an educational leader who can inspire other people to become good leaders and thus contribute effectively to the development of whichever country they reside in. Specifically, I would like to have the opportunity to share in educational leadership programmes in Guyana. Guyana is developing rapidly and we have to ensure that our citizens are trained in all relevant areas. Development in education must be regarded as a priority. I am willing and ready to serve,” she said.
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Publish date : 2024-09-21 18:30:00
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