KINDNESS WAS HER MIDDLE NAME

Often times life throws us a sudden shock such was the case when I heard of the passing of Michelle Simmons. I had conversation with her about two weeks before and we parted with words of wishing the best and stay safe. She was born in 1952 her parents were Phillip and Marjorie Grant of Devonshire Bermuda. Michelle had one sister Lawyer Sonia Grant. Her early schooling was at a private school known as Tankards on Ewing Street in Pembroke, she later attended Central school on Glebe Road Pembroke known now as (Victor Scott Primary) she than moved on to high school at Berkeley. Michelle graduated from Berkeley in 1968 earning the honour of top girl. In 1969 she did a secondary year of study at the Sixth form Centre the predecessor of the Bermuda College, there she acquired A levels in Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. She completed her undergraduate studies in Bio-Chemistry at the University of Liverpool, which she also completed with honours. Michelle received a post graduate certificate in Education from the University of Reading in 1975.

On returning to Bermuda she taught at the Berkeley Institute but didn’t stay very long she returned to England in 1978 to be with her husband Ola Gabisi an educator of Sierra Leone there she taught A and O level Chemistry at Latymer School in London for three years, before moving to Port Harcourt Nigeria. Mrs. Simmons worked at River State School of Basic Studies as a Chemistry Lecturer in charge of the Practical programme she set up while her husband worked for the Federal Government College.

In 1982 the Gabisis moved back to Bermuda and she taught at Warwick Secondary for one term, before becoming a Chemistry and Physics teacher at the Bermuda High School for Girls during her ten years teaching at Bermuda High she became the head of the Senior Students Department, organized a Student leadership conference and developed a system of Staff evaluation in addition to heading the School’s Secondary Department.

Michelle became the sixth Principle of the Berkeley Institute in 1993 replacing Principle Patricia Holder, and became the first women to be full term Principle of the Institute and guided it through comprehensive changes to Bermuda Public Secondary School System followed by the new curriculum which was not without its challenges but being the person she was Michelle handled this with the knowledge passion and dignity she pocessed. She saw the construction of the new campus which opened in August of 2006 during this year she re-married Reverend Dr. Erskine Simmons and retired in 2014.

Michelle wasn’t one to stay idle and she was asked to serve as a Senator in the Upper House which she did for five years and while there she showed her skills as an avid debater. She received the accolades for the speedy implementation of the recommendation of the 2006 Hopkins Report on Education reform. As a Senator it is stated she backed many changes to the education system which moved even closer after ” The Education Amendment Act 2012 was passed in the Senate. An amendment which will replace Middle Schools with Signature Schools, this will bring about signature learning programmes added to the regular curriculum.

When God suddenly calls his angels he has seen the work they have accomplished and it is realized the impact and legacy they will leave for others to remember with grace, pride and confidence to carry on. Michelle went home to Glory on August 11th. 2023. Rest in peace my Spiritual Friend your good deeds are done.

Researched By Joy

cc RG