Miss Jamaica World 1985, Alison Barnett, was fifth in the Miss World pageant. Dr Alison Cross is now a true embodiment of beauty with a purpose. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Freelance Photographer

Her technique for making people comfortable is remarkable. It's something she learned as a teenager and during her reign as Miss Jamaica World in 1985. Now, more than two decades later, she has not lost that charm and beauty, and Dr Alison Cross (formerly Barnett) is the true embodiment of beauty with a purpose.

Today is exactly one week (to the day) since she took on her new role as executive director of the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL, formerly JAMAL). This appointment is just an extension of the work that Dr Cross' entire professional career has been based on, special education. Dr Cross has extensive experience in the full gamut of the education system from being a special educator at Mico Child Assessment and Research in Education (CARE) to being principal of Hillel Academy Preparatory School and in administration as vice-president of academic and students' affairs at the University College of the Caribbean.

Frustrated Student

When Dr Cross won the Miss Jamaica World title, she was a student at the University of the West Indies.

After her reign, she returned to complete her bachelor's in literature and history. After, she attained a diploma in special education at Mico University (then Mico Teachers' College). Why? Throughout her academic life she had been frustrated. Even though she received an honours degree, she said she felt frustrated.

"As a student in our system I never felt my potential was recognised. I didn't think I achieved my full potential," she told Flair inside her non-personalised office on South Camp Road.

Her relentless passion has been to ensure that future students, especially those with learning disabilities, do not experience the same frustration and are able to achieve their full potential. After receiving her diploma, Dr Cross immediately went into teaching children with learning disabilities, thoroughly enjoying her time in the classroom.

"(I enjoyed) making that connection when the child sees the light; when they get it. Seeing them proud of how they learn and their progress."

Dr Cross then went on to receive her master's in educational psychology at the University of Florida after winning the 1992 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship.

Focus on policy

She lectures in psychology of education at Mico University while focusing on policy for adult education in her current role. Her fist day on the job was not exactly stepping into the unknown, as she has sat on the board of JFLL for a little over a year. Why did she take the job?

"I saw the potential to make a difference. Being on the board, I saw the positives and I know that they have a strong team." Included in that group are volunteers who, though not teachers in the formal education system, give their time as teachers at JFLL.

"There has always been a group who want to give back. That passion will never disappear and JFLL owes so much to our volunteers," she said.

Having spent time in the classroom, Dr Cross has praises for teachers who are making a difference as they have much to contend with. "We have to laud our teachers who are doing amazing things. There are so many variables they have to contend with."

Dr Cross is fully aware of the differences between working with adults and children.

"Adults require a different mindset. Their motivation is different from a child's and their self-actualisation is different. A four-year-old is learning for you, a 40-year-old is doing it for themselves. You have to make the content appealing to engage the adults, focus on things that are relevant in their everyday life, like reading their Bibles." Though there is still work to be done, especially in the area of adult education, Jamaica is doing well, and with Dr Cross at the helm, it's expected to do even better. "Think about where we are coming from."

nashauna.drummond@gleanerjm.com