Q & A with Middle States Commissioner Janasee Sinclair

Janasee Sinclair recently retired as principal at St. Croix Central High School in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. She will remain actively involved in the educational process.

Q. How did you get your start in education?

A. I was living in New York City and traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands on vacation in 1975. I wanted to teach, but there was a freeze on hiring teachers in New York at the time. I learned there was a significant need for teachers in the U.S. Virgin Islands so I applied and landed a teaching position while I was still on vacation. I’ve been here ever since.

Q. What do you see as one of the main benefits of Middle States accreditation?

A. There are many benefits but primarily it’s our ability to assist schools in examining their existing instruction and practices. All schools should go through the accreditation process as an assessment tool to evaluate the educational quality and culture of the school.

Q. What is one piece of career advice you would give to a younger version of yourself?

A. My advice to anyone entering the field is that educating a child is not just imparting knowledge. To be an effective educator you must be nurturing, caring and respectful of all students. Our role as educators is to make sure that students understand that they are capable of achieving their goals. We must always help our students to believe in themselves.

Q. What are you planning to do in retirement?

A. I plan to consult with schools that are working with at-risk populations. Where I live in the Virgin Islands, there was a devastating storm recently and we are still in the process of rebuilding. Families were displaced and some had to leave the island. Many are starting to come back and for students who had their education interrupted, re-engaging in school is a challenge. They need extra time and support, and even materials. I want to help schools that are helping those students. I’m also planning to read many books by my favorite authors and hope to travel to a few bucket list places including Panama, Australia, and China.

Q. What is your favorite book?

A. Plum Island by Nelson DeMille. It’s a thriller that follows wounded NYPD homicide detective John Corey as he investigates the murder of a young couple in a Long Island town.