Remembering Former Principal Dr Gladstone Best: A Reflection on His Impact at Barbados Community College (BCC)

Rouse also indicated that Dr Best, who reached out to the disadvantaged, underprivileged and marginalised, introduced the Basic Computer Operations Certificate which was offered in 1998, and took BCC to the blocks by offering an information technology (IT) programme to the college’s immediate communities.

“In this respect, he was quite ahead of his time. The programme sought to provide candidates with IT and life skills so participants would be more marketable. Dr Best was somewhat of a philosopher who saw himself as an imparter of wisdom.

“I succeeded Dr Best as senior teacher of the Department of Computer Studies when he was promoted to deputy principal. At the handover, he gave me these words of wisdom, which left a timeless and indelible imprint on my mind. He said, ‘operate as though you are going to die tomorrow, so you have a sense of urgency. Also, operate as though you are going to live forever; that means you plan’,” Rouse recalled.

During her tribute, Jacqueline Arthur-Gill recalled that she first met Dr Best in the 1970s when he taught her Mathematics at the Alexandra School, and then again in 1980 when she became a student of the BCC.

“Dr Best had a unique way of making complex topics seem approachable. He was not just a teacher; he was a mentor who went above and beyond to ensure his students grasped the concepts he taught. His dedication was unwavering, and he invested his time and energy in our success. He had a gift for explaining intricate ideas with clarity and patience, a quality that set him apart,” she said.

“But it wasn’t just his teaching prowess that endeared Dr Best to us. He had a jovial spirit that lit up our classrooms and left an indelible mark on our hearts. I can vividly recall the day he joyfully shared the news of his son Damian’s birth with our class. The happiness radiated from him and it was clear that family was at the core of his life. As we remember Dr Best, we remember a man who was more than an educator. He was a friend who cared deeply about the well-being of his students. He was a mentor who believed in our potential even when we doubted ourselves. He was a father whose love for family was evident in every smile he shared,” Arthur-Gill added.

A funeral service for Dr Best, who died on August 28, one day after his 69th birthday, will be held at the Silver Sands Church of God, Silver Sands, Christ Church, on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

He will then be buried at the Serenity Lawns of Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens.

BCC’s communication specialist Lisa Brome indicated that classes at BCC will be suspended at noon on the day of the funeral to allow staff and students to attend. However, she said orientation webinars for incoming students will continue as planned.

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