ROSE-MARIE LOGAN: Transforming Lives Through Visionary Leadership
- Ann Marie Bryan
- 5 days ago
- 8 min read
A Leader in the Spotlight
In the quiet district of Savannah in Hayes, Clarendon, a young girl named Rose-Marie dared to dream beyond her circumstances. The ninth of thirteen children born to the now-deceased Clarice and Ralmie Letford, she grew up in a home where faith and determination were as vital as food and water. “Life was rough,” she recalls. “My father worked in the sugar industry, which meant he was only employed for six months of the year. My mother was a homemaker who sewed uniforms for the children in our community, but that was seasonal. With so many children to feed and little income, it was a challenge.”
Yet from those modest beginnings emerged a woman of unshakable purpose—an educator, principal, and transformational leader with a divine assignment. Today, Mrs. Rose-Marie Logan serves as the Principal of Four Paths Primary and Junior High School in Jamaica, where her leadership, grounded in faith and compassion, is transforming lives. VBD Magazine caught up with the dynamic and mission-focused principal for an interview—one that overflowed with wisdom, authenticity, and golden nuggets of truth.
DETERMINATION AND DIVINE DIRECTION
“Education was my way out of poverty,” Mrs. Logan says candidly. “I saw it as the vehicle to get me where I wanted to be. Even when my parents didn’t have the financial resources to send us all to school, I would go without, because I had a plan.”
That plan included not just education but spiritual grounding. “I gave my heart to the Lord at age 11,” she says. “Since then, He has been ordering my steps and allowing me to be successful in everything I’ve done.”
Mrs. Logan’s educational journey began at Hayes Primary and Junior High school, and though she missed her first Common Entrance Examination due to illness, her teacher Mr. Ferdinand Dixon recognized her potential and nurtured it. Eventually, she sat the Technical Entrance Examination, and the Grade Nine Achievement Test—and successfully passed both.
She later attended Vere Technical High School, where her passion for the sciences took root. That passion led her to Church Teachers’ College to pursue teacher education. Eager to deepen her knowledge, she continued her academic journey at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in science education, graduating with first class honors. Two years later, she completed her master’s degree in the same field with distinction. “I received two awards,” she shares proudly, “one for most outstanding student in science education, and another for demonstrating Christian values and self-discipline.”
CALLED TO LEAD
Though her heart initially leaned toward nursing, circumstances redirected her path. “I applied to a nursing program but couldn’t find accommodation in Kingston,” she shares. “My father-in-law encouraged me to try teaching—and that’s where my passion was ignited.”
From Monymusk Preparatory School to Osborne Store Primary and Infant School, and eventually back to her alma mater, Vere Technical High School, Mrs. Logan poured her heart into teaching science. As head of the Science Department at Vere Technical High School, she transformed her team by implementing constructivist approaches to learning, based on the theories of Vygotsky and Piaget. “We stopped talking at students and started doing science with them,” she explains. “I taught my teachers to approach every child as someone who already has knowledge—we just have to find it and build on it.”
Her efforts paid off as the department saw amazing results. “One student told me, ‘Mrs. Logan, you make science feel like the only subject we’re doing in school.’ That’s the impact I want,” she says.
FROM SCIENCE EDUCATOR TO PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Logan’s leadership journey took a leap forward when she was selected to join The National College of Educational Leadership’s Aspiring Principals’ Programme (APP). “It was rigorous,” she says, “but all four of us who were selected completed it successfully.” Soon after, she was appointed acting principal of Vere Technical High School—and eventually, Principal of Four Paths Primary and Junior High School.
Prior to becoming the Principal of Four Paths Primary and Junior High School in 2019, Mrs. Logan began what she calls “an environmental scan,” with the blessing of the school’s previous leadership. “I visited the school quietly and spoke with the grounds staff, cleaners, and a few teachers,” she recalls. “People want to be involved in change. I learned early on—if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. So, I spent the first year observing and learning the culture.”
From her year of observation emerged a clear vision. “I needed to build staff morale, improve academic performance, increase parental involvement, and enhance both our information and communication technology (ICT), and the school’s physical aesthetics,” she says. With strategic planning, heartfelt collaboration, and a commitment to excellence, Mrs. Logan has made remarkable progress on each front—bringing her vision to life in tangible, lasting ways.
TECHNOLOGY, TRANSFORMATION, AND TRUST
“One of my greatest accomplishments was securing a state-of-the-art ICT lab,” Mrs. Logan shares. “We partnered with the Digicel Foundation and now have a ‘smart room’ that not only benefits our students but is used to train teachers from other schools.”
With the new ICT lab in place, Mrs. Logan has big plans for STEM integration. “I identified a teacher with potential and asked her to lead the charge. She was hesitant, but then—God’s perfect timing—a training opportunity came through the Ministry of Education. Now she’s being mentored by Dr. Francine Taylor-Campbell and leading our STEM initiative.”
Dr. Francine Taylor-Campbell is a Science Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information with special responsibility for STEM curriculum integration in schools.
The school had also engaged Ms. Davia Bryan-Campbell, Founder and CEO of EduHub Company Limited, an organization with a mission to empower educators and students while revolutionizing the learning experience through innovative EdTech solutions designed for educational institutions.
This alignment, she says, is no coincidence. “God is intentional. Everything is falling into place.”
Parental involvement has also skyrocketed. “Our parents are amazing. They’ve raised close to J$200,000 for our seating project. One parent spearheaded the effort, and we’re now able to procure at least 15 outdoor seats for students.”
To motivate students, Mrs. Logan introduced classroom awards, public shout-outs, and maintains a visually engaging and content-rich school Facebook page. “Parents love seeing their children recognized,” she says. “We now have over 7,000 followers.”
Mrs. Logan’s staff morale efforts are just as impressive. “We host award ceremonies for teachers, take them on hotel trips, and offer small tokens of appreciation at meetings. These may seem minor, but they help to build trust and school pride.”
“My team knows I do nothing without prayer,” Mrs. Logan says. “Before the Primary Exit Profile exam, that’s known as the PEP exams, I bring in pastors to pray over the students. Monthly devotions are led by local pastors. My office is known as a prayer room. This is not just a job. It’s a ministry. God assigned me here, and I will remain until He says otherwise.”
TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS AND MENTORSHIP
Mrs. Logan credits mentors like Mrs. Lileth Atkins-Brand and Dr. Henritta Stewart, former Principals of Vere Technical High School, for shaping her leadership journey.
“They believed in me and pushed me into growth. Dr. Stewart mentored me through the principals’ leadership program. I owe much of who I am to their guidance.”
Now, she pays it forward by mentoring her own staff and serving as a Justice of the Peace (JP). “I became a JP not for status, but because I saw the needs in my community.”
Under Mrs. Logan’s leadership, Four Paths Primary and Junior High School has launched several impactful initiatives:
Special Intervention Program: This is designed for struggling students, especially those with learning or behavioral challenges. “We assigned a resident teacher who created profiles for each child and tailored support strategies,” she says. “Now, their reading, attendance, and punctuality have significantly improved.”
Boys to Men Club: With a focus on at-risk boys, this mentorship program partners with community leaders—police officers, soldiers, business professionals—to pour into young men and help them embrace leadership and purpose.
Mentorship for New Teachers: “We assign mentors to all new teachers, walk with them through orientation, and offer continuous support throughout the year,” she explains.
Literacy and Numeracy Intervention Programs: These initiatives allow students to become functionally literate and numerate. Mrs. Logan indicated that these two programs are adding value to the institution as more students are now advancing through their reading levels and there is a greater interest being shown in Mathematics.
RECOGNITION AND RESOURCES
Mrs. Logan’s transformational leadership has not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she was the recipient of two prestigious accolades: the Office of the Prime Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution in Education and the Paul Miles Foundation Outstanding Principal Award—a testament to her unwavering dedication to her school and community.
That same year, Four Paths Primary and Junior High School received a meaningful donation from the Paul Miles Foundation—a desktop computer and a heavy-duty printer/scanner/copier. In addition, the school received a significant number of Chromebooks and over five multimedia projectors from the Paul Miles Foundation, further boosting the integration of ICT in the classroom and enhancing the school’s digital learning environment. “These resources have made a tremendous impact,” Mrs. Logan states. “We were so grateful. Every gift, every investment into our school helps us further our mission to empower and uplift our students.”
TACKLING THE CHALLENGES IN EDUCATION
While Four Paths Primary and Junior High School is thriving, Mrs. Logan is candid about broader systemic issues in Jamaica’s education system. “We need better literacy and numeracy instructions,” she says. “Many teachers are not adequately trained to teach reading, and math anxiety is real—we have too few math and science teachers.”
She calls for more resources and smaller class sizes. “I’ve seen schools abroad with amazing facilities, while here, we have 35 to 45 students in one classroom and only one teacher. That needs to change.”
GROUNDED IN FAITH AND FAMILY
While Mrs. Logan is deeply committed to her calling as an educator and leader, she is also intentional about maintaining balance in her personal life. “I try to create boundaries when I leave work,” she shares. “At home, I spend time reading the Bible, listening to worship music, and enjoying moments of quiet reflection.” These practices help her stay spiritually grounded and emotionally refreshed.
A major source of strength in her journey is her family—her supportive husband, Kirk Logan, an Ordained Minister of Religion in the New Testament Church of God in Jamaica, and their beloved son, Jaydon. “My husband is my greatest supporter,” she says with gratitude. “He understands the demands of ministry and leadership and always encourages me to pursue my purpose.” She is also continually uplifted by the dedicated staff, students, and parents of the Four Paths Primary and Junior High School family, whose commitment and unity fuel the school’s ongoing transformation.
THE LEGACY OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER
As she looks to the future, Mrs. Logan’s vision for Four Paths Primary and Junior High School is clear. “We’ve become a school of choice. We no longer need to advertise for registration. But we need more classroom space, and I’m praying and working toward that.”
When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave, she responds without hesitation: “That Mrs. Logan was a transformational leader who raised staff morale, engaged parents, improved academic performance, and empowered her students to believe in their God-given potential.”
And perhaps more than anything, her prayer is that others will see her not just as an educator—but as a servant of God, faithfully answering her divine assignment.
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fourpath1920
Photo Credit: Kirk Logan, Jaydon Logan, and Four Paths Primary & Junior High School Family
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