President Mary Futrell, General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen, and distinguished colleagues all, it is with sincere gratitude and deep humility that I receive the Education International Albert Shanker Education Award for 2004. Lifetime awards for service cannot be attributed only to the individuals who receive them, for no one is an island or self-made. So tonight let me immediately acknowledge my family, represented here by my wife, Sharon, and daughter, Catherine, who nothing could keep from being present. Their love and support have been integral to any achievement of mine. Equally, let me also acknowledge the support, friendship, and dedication of all the teachers in the Caribbean that it has been my privilege to serve with, and whose contributions and achievements are intricately intertwined with my efforts. Teaching is a social profession, and no achievement attributed to me could be accomplished without the collaboration and cooperation of my colleague teachers. So let me ask all teachers from the English-Speaking Caribbean present in this banquet hall tonight to stand with me in receiving this prestigious award.