Debbie Jacob

WE ARE a reactive nation rather than a proactive one, with many issues we haven't figured out how to face. Our many problems include apathy, bullying, child abuse, crime, corruption, disrespect, femicide, prejudice, selfishness and unkindness.

Debbie Jacob THERE'S AN art to coming off as an ordinary person when you're really special beyond all measure, and Mark Loquan has mastered that feat.

Debbie Jacob IT’S BEEN a long time since I heard anyone mention the late, infamous government minister Johnny O’Halloran, but he always comes to mind when I think about the … Continue reading The only story I regret not writing

Debbie Jacob TOMORROW is election day in the US, and this election worries me more than any other election I have experienced. I’ve lost the feeling that US elections are … Continue reading Growing problem of voter apathy

Debbie Jacob IF I COULD find a sport that offers more life lessons than American football, I would become its number one fan.

SOME newspaper stories puzzle me. Take, for instance, a November 14 news story by senior political reporter Gail Alexander in the Trinidad Guardian with the headline, “Ex-principal says texting has hurt students' communication skills.”

SO YOU'RE an English teacher struggling to teach theme, tone, mood, and characterisation in literature to students who couldn't care less about showing up to class, let alone reading. What do you think would happen if you end that class by saying, “Come prepared for tomorrow's class. Bring your phones.” I bet no student would cut a class dedicated to text messaging.

Debbie Jacob MY CHRISTMAS tree goes up the day after Divali because I like the feeling of going from light to light.

IF YOU doubt the old saying, “Giving is better than receiving,” you haven't mastered the fine art of Christmas gift-giving. Christmas offers the chance to make someone remember the holiday forever, or to fail miserably and make people feel guilty and ungrateful for not liking the presents they receive.

SOMETIMES we recognise the moments in time that changed our lives long after they happen. I realised this last week when pan historian and filmwriter Kim Johnson and I watched his documentary Wishing for Wings with Maple Leaf International School students and teachers.