Have you ever thought about those who came before you? As a student at the same school as individuals such as Eric Williams, the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and other notable figures like V.S. Naipaul and Richard Thompson, I couldn’t help but be filled with a sense of awe and pride.

These individuals, who had walked the same halls and sat in the same classrooms, represented the pinnacle of achievement, not just for themselves but also for the school that had nurtured their talents. Their legacy was a constant reminder of the history and tradition of excellence that Queen’s Royal College embodied, inspiring generations of students, including myself, to strive for greatness.

I can still remember the feeling I got when I first set foot on the grounds of the school. Growing up in Laventille and attending St. Margaret’s Boys' Anglican School in Belmont, the grandeur and history of QRC were mesmerizing.
It was during my time at the college, between 2011 and 2016, that I witnessed Mr. David Simon step into the role of principal of the college. In this interview, I had the privilege of delving into his journey, the experiences that shaped his values and aspirations, the rich history of the college itself and so much more. Let’s get into this interview and uncover the layers of David Simon’s journey.

As students, we’ve only seen you in your role as principal, leading and guiding us. We rarely get the chance to peel back the layers and learn about the personal journeys of those who help shape us into the adults we are today. Can you share a bit about your personal journey?

David: I grew up in a tiny fishing village in Northeast Trinidad known as Grande Riviere. I have three sisters, two brothers, and one who is now deceased. My dad was a teacher and very strict, though he was away a lot as he taught in POS. My mother was the one who played an integral role in raising me. She too was strict.

Growing up in the “country” also meant that the village raised me. I had many aunts and uncles who helped in socializing me and getting me to understand what manners, morals, and values meant. I learned very early to respect my elders. Coming from humble beginnings also taught me a lot. I understood how to be satisfied, to not crave what others had but to work hard for what you wanted in life.

I grew up in the early days of my life without electricity. I understood how to work with a lamp but in the Grande Riviere I always had food, water, and good times. I was made to understand the difference between needs and wants from an early age. I passed common entrace from Grande Riviere Anglican School for QRC and moved to live with an aunt in Belmont. Guess what? She was from Grande Riviere, so the same lessons were consolidated as I grew up in Belmont.

My upbringing then played an important role in the leader I am today.

We all know that school days often come with their fair share of mischief and memories. With your role as principal, it’s fascinating to imagine whether you were a bit of a troublemaker yourself during your school days. Could you share any lighthearted or funny stories from your time as a student?

David: I was very miserable in school. I was not really rude, but I spoke a lot in the class and I was the boy who would be in the background setting up all the chaos while not being involved directly. I certainly was no saint and I had to be disciplined on numerous occasions though I was never “caned” in school. I had many detentions….lol.

On one occasion after football training, since I was always physically small, someone came up with the outrageous idea of going into the staffroom to raid the teachers’ fridge to get juice and water. Guess who climbed through the window to open the staffroom? Of course, I was caught and later dealt with by our Principal. I was proud though, that although drilled I did not call the name of any one of my partners who was involved in that inadvisable act of folly.

So, I was no saint. I was always good with words and would use them as my weapon since I was always small. I was very loud and sarcastic and was a power broker when I went to school. I am sure some may say I was somewhat of a bully, as I would usually get my way. However, I was never rude to teachers and would eventually be a student leader at school.

Mr. Simon, as we journey back to your time as a student at Queen’s Royal College, our readers would love to hear about the finer details of that era. Can you describe the college back then, from the teachers and their teaching style to the buildings and the overall atmosphere?

David: QRC will always be QRC and fundamentally the pillars of our educational system have not changed. The emphasis on holistic development remains the same. The expectations of the adults of the students of the College have not changed.

However, times have changed and how the curriculum is now delivered and how the students engage each other, their teachers and their parents have changed. Technology has made the need for collaboration less important. Students are now a lot more individualistic in their approach when compared to my time. In my time you had no choice but to collaborate, it was the only way you would get the work done.

Back then it was a lot more chalk and talk and the teacher was seen as the source of all information. This is not so now, and this is a good thing. Students now have a range of tools to assist them, and they make use of them. In my time we did not have the types of aids you now have, as you learn. Yet we made it happen as you were forced to be creative and inventive. At present, there are far more opportunities for the students. Again, this is a much better reality when compared to my time.

However, believe it or not, there are more similarities than differences.

Following up on that question, what was the student culture like, especially in terms of fashion, music, movies, and any other cultural aspects? How did these things shape life as a student back then?

David: Well there were not as many choices as you now have. In my time there were only a few radio stations and one TV station…TTT. There were cinemas but cinemas were usually for older folks. So, you had to wait before you could go there.

However, we had our cassettes and would tape and share music. We had our parties and we went to those. Fashion is fashion and it will always be there. So, we had our punk, jerry curls, wave hairstyles, and afros. We also had our “gunmouth” pants and tight clothing. We also had our period of really big clothes. Young men would pierce their ears as well. The fashion of the time we all reflected as we enjoyed our adolescent years. We had a lot of fun.

Sports was a big thing, but many times events would not be shown live. So, you had to watch World Cup delayed coverage, as you may only get one live game. However, just like now, we had our trends that we followed and enjoyed.

Did you participate in sports or extracurricular activities? What was your favourite thing to do after school, and how do you think those moments contributed to your personal and academic growth?

David: Oh yes I was very involved. I represented QRC in football, athletics, cricket, and debating, and I was usually a student of choice to represent the college at events we were invited to. I was also House Captain and Vice Head Boy of QRC, and the valedictorian of my year in 1987.

I learnt how to be a part of a team, how to deal with challenges and disappointment. I also learnt how to manage success and remain levelheaded. My education really took place outside of the classroom.

As graduation approached, were there any apprehensions or nervousness about the transition from school to adulthood? How did you navigate this pivotal period in your life?

David: None! QRC prepares you well and I knew I would do well at exams, and I was going to UWI. I was going there with many friends; I had no fear. Sorrow at leaving QRC but not fear.

After graduating, what decisions did you make that solidified your decision to pursue a career in education?

David: I was always a lifelong learner and wanted to continue in this vein. It only followed that I would get involved in teaching. I wanted to do law originally. Finances did not allow and my journey into teaching was very enjoyable and satisfying since I was reunited with QRC after only three years in the profession. I have not left QRC since I came as a young teacher in 1993.

As a former history and social studies teacher, what was your time like in the classroom? Did you find the teaching enjoyable, and if so, what aspects did you find most rewarding?

David: I love teaching. It is why I still return to the classroom every now and again. There is nothing more satisfying than sharing your knowledge and experiences with your students, while you open your mind to the new perspectives that they bring. The merging of the new generations is electric, as respect allows for many opportunities to teach and to learn. I feel teaching allows one to remain young, once you are prepared to open your mind. I am prepared to do so.

Having experienced Queen’s Royal College as a student, then a teacher, and now as the principal, you have a unique perspective on what students may want and need. How do you leverage your diverse experiences to connect with students and make your role as principal more relatable and effective in meeting their needs?

David: What a wonderful question. The answer is simple though. You have to first understand that this is not your time. This is not my time. It is theirs. The world is now one fashioned by the young ones and I must accept this. Once I accept this, then I must work on how I communicate with them in a way that would allow me to use my experience to make their world even easier for them.

I have to look and listen to them, and then fashion a way to have some of my ideas enter their sphere. Now the only way I can do this is if they respect and trust me. This I have to work on as well. Once I can satisfy all of those requirements, then I would be well-poised to share my knowledge and experiences with them. As they learn from me and I from them.

What do you hope your legacy will be at the school? How do you envision the impact of your time as principal on the future of the college?

David: As a student of history I do not worry about my legacy. It will be others that will determine what my legacy will be recorded as. All I can do is work HARD and SMART and love what I do.

I take my job seriously and the education system of Trinidad and Tobago, not only QRC, is my canvas. I can only work at my masterpiece and hope that in time history will be kind to me, as it does a fair assessment of my work. However, I do hope that my students will see me as someone they would want to mirror as they grow up. Lol, well without the faults that we all possess.

Do you have any advice for aspiring educators or students who are on their own journey of personal and academic growth? What lessons have you learned that you believe are valuable for others to know?

David: Develop the art of LISTENING. Be silent as others talk, be so silent that it is deafening. Then and only then will you be gifted with the tools to make a difference. When you have been able to grasp what you need to bring about change, be humble, and make others around you strong, as the TEAM is the most important vehicle for success in any educational landscape.

This to me is the essence of success as a leader.

Finally, if you could sum up your philosophy or approach to education in a single message, what would it be? Additionally, what do you hope students take away from their time at QRC under your leadership?

David: SIMPLE! Be lifelong learners. Once this is done you will always remain humble, as you recognize that there are many things you do not know. It is when we see ourselves as masters, that we feel we can dismiss others.

Continue to learn, be humble, live, and enjoy life, as you seek to leave this world a better place than you met it.

I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to interview Mr. Simon. His insights have truly been enlightening, and there isn’t much I can add to such a great interview. However, I do ask our readers to leave a comment, share the article with friends and family, and stay tuned for what’s to come.