We are thrilled to recognize Eldecia Thompson DCMS03 as the 2023 Founders Alumni Award recipient for The Island School. Eldecia was part of the first class of students to attend Deep Creek Middle School when its doors opened in 2001. Growing up in Eleuthera, she attended DCMS for grades 8 & 9, graduating with the pioneer class of 2003. 

Path to Success

Eldecia credits her passion for education to her years as a DCMS student. “At DCMS, I learned to love learning! Some days, the ‘classroom’ would be the ocean, and other days, we would take our notebooks to the outdoor classrooms at the Island School. No matter the venue, learning was fun.” (excerpt from her message at the 20th-anniversary celebration). Like all of The Island School programs, DCMS is rooted in experiential learning, while providing the groundwork to give rise to the future leaders of The Bahamas. Eldecia took this newfound love of learning with her to the College of The Bahamas where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. 

Eldecia spent the first five years of her career teaching at the Harbour Island All-Age School. In 2017 she was reassigned to South Eleuthera where she taught at three schools in the South Eleuthera School District. She was soon promoted to the role of Senior Assistant at Rock Sound Primary School. She continued her studies receiving her Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management at the University of the West Indies. Today, Eldecia serves as the Senior Assistant at Rock Sound Primary School.

Serving Her Community Through Leadership

In addition to her career in education, Eldecia is a proud and active member of her community. From June 2016 to September 2022, she served as the Area Vice President of The Bahamas Union of Teachers (Northern Bahamas District). Eldecia managed union and teacher affairs in Andros, Abaco, Bimini, Berry Islands, and Eleuthera as the youngest executive to have been elected. Additionally, she serves as the Assistant Director of Youth Services for the Rotary Club of Eleuthera, the Vice President of the Anglican Church Women, and a member of the Vestry at St. Luke’s Parish. Presently, her son Donovan is now a proud grade 7 student at DCMS.

Island School Founder, Chris Maxey, reflects, “Eldecia is our true pioneer success story. She gives DCMS credit for her achievements in education and in service to her community. There is no doubt that Eldecia is living The Island School mission of Leadership Effecting Change.”

We were fortunate to have Eldecia speak at the 20th Anniversary of DCMS in 2022. Likewise, we are thrilled to once again recognize her leadership and her passion for education and the community. As Eldecia continues to inspire us and all those around her we invite you to join us in congratulating Eldecia as the 2023 Founders Alumni Award recipient.