Are Jamaican Teachers Lower-Level Products?

According to Michael-Anthony Dobson-Lewis, of the National Mathematics Teacher Education Committee, it is the “lower-level product of the secondary system that enter teaching”. This statement is unfair and disrespectful.  I have always had great respect for the teachers in Jamaica who provided the foundation that allowed me to successfully continue my education up to the doctoral level. They were certainly not “lower- level products”.  Lana Patterson taught math in Jamaica for 18 years. Would Mr. Dobson-Lewis consider this educator, who is now the 2015 Florida teacher of the year, a “lower-level product”? Such a statement creates a stigma in the minds of bright students who may have a desire to become teachers. The statement now sends a message that these children should not aspire to become teachers since they will be considered "lower- level products".  Although Jamaica may not have ranked as high as expected in Math and Science in the World Economic Forum report, there is no doubt that over the years, Jamaica has produced some of the brightest minds in Math and Science. Let us work on the issues to improve our world standing in those areas instead of bashing teachers. Such labels as “lower-lever product” may only, in the long run, impact the desire of anyone to consider becoming a teacher in Jamaica.