-Interview with Carolyn Fraser

By Nijah L.

I never liked science until Mrs. Carolyn Fraser inspired me. Carolyn Fraser was born in Antigua. She started her schooling and relocated to the USVI at age 8, then went to Kirwin Terrace Elementary School, now renamed the Gladys Abraham School. She was always academically gifted, but had a little trouble with behavior in sixth grade. “I got into so much trouble that the principal told me that I will never amount to anything and that I would end up in jail or dead before the age of 18.”

Mrs. Fraser went on to Charlotte Amalie High School and graduated with honors. She then went on to Savannah State University with a major in electronic engineering; she graduated cum laude in June 1991. In 1992 she then started work as a teacher at Prophecy Middle School; later in 2000, she began working at Kean High School as a science teacher. Mrs. Fraser is currently enrolled in the University of Phoenix online program, where she is trying to obtain her master’s degree.

Mrs. Fraser is currently living in Smith Bay, but before she settled down she moved around to places like Savan and Kirwin Terrace. Being very spiritual, Mrs. Fraser attends the St. Paul’s Baptist Church, were she is a member of the worship team and also leads the song group. She was raised in a manner to respect all adults and to be helpful around the house.

Mrs. Fraser has been through some tough stages in her life, but there were people that helped her pull through, like her brothers Esworth, Stedroy and Anwenston Charles. They were always there in her times of need. Her role models in life were her mother Rosalind Charles, her oldest brother Anwenston Charles, and her 5^th grade teacher Ms Ida Christian. Sister Gumbs and Sister Sills are also her mentors, “but they have no clue that they are,” she said.

Mrs. Fraser loves traveling, meeting new people, and enjoys watching sports, especially basketball. Her favorite players are Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony. Her favorite TV show is Criminal Minds.

Mrs. Fraser also has interest in solving puzzles and playing thinking games like Jeopardy.

Mrs. Fraser is a fun-loving teacher who is humble and enjoys teaching in general. Her outlook on life is that “It’s a precious dream so treasure it.” Her advice to young people is “Education may not be the key to success but it definitely opens the door.” This saying, which I never heard before, started to make me think about my life, and what I want to do with it. She could be a great influence on young adults and they could learn a lot from her like I did.

I see Mrs. Fraser as a great mother to her son Cashaun Fraser and a great wife to her husband Carton Fraser. Mrs. Fraser is out spoken and takes pride in what she does. “I am content with where I am in teaching, but would like to come out of the classroom and do curriculum,” she said.