Sharia B. de Castro is the founder and owner of Imagination Academy located in Todman’s Estate and holds the distinction of being the first female President of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). Photo: Imagination Academy

Our Young Professional this week, Sharia B. de Castro (in photo), is not only the twin sister of Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) but she is also just as passionate about the advancement of education and politics in the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO

Although the owner of Imagination Academy, Sharia also teaches full-time at the Academy. Photo: Imagination Academy

Sharia B. de Castro with some of her students of Imagination Academy. Photo: Imagination Academy

On a school tour to Necker Island with Richard C.N. Branson. Sharia B. de Castro, 2nd from left, believes her school is more than a Montessori school. Photo: Imagination Academy/Facebook

Learning gardening at Imagination Academy owned by Sharie B. de Castro. Photo: Imagination Academy/Facebook

Some of the students of Imagination Academy in Todman's Estate. The 'newest school on the block' has an enrolment of 18. Photo: Imagination Academy/Facebook

Art exhibition at Imagination Academy. The school places a large focus on creativity through art. Photo: Imagination Academy/Facebook

Sharia B. de Castro is the founder and owner of Imagination Academy located in Todman’s Estate and holds the distinction of being the first female President of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP).

Although the owner of Imagination Academy, Sharia also teaches full-time at the Academy.

It is a passion she is living out, having wanted to become a teacher since she was at the tender age of five.

“I had amazing teachers as a child…I remember being asked when I was five years old ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and I said a teacher, and it was always a teacher.”

Schooling

Sharia is a product of the Isabella Morris Primary School and the then BVI High School, now Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS). She also pursued an Associate’s Degree in English at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) before continuing studies in that same field at Texas Christian University, where she graduated before she was 20 years of age.

Our young entrepreneur is fully Montessori certified through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies to teach 6- to 12-year-olds (Grades 1-6).

Teacher

Sharia began her life as an educator in 2012 and taught at both primary and secondary schools in the VI for the next 10 years. She also started an after-school programme where she encouraged learning through play, offering children a safe space to grow in spelling, writing, reading and math skills.

In 2021, she realised it was time to transition to pursuing her childhood dream of having her own school.

Imagination Academy

“I felt God calling me to more and that is where Imagination Academy was birthed…it was time to launch out to build a forward-thinking educational programme for the BVI that reaches and teaches the whole child; a school that is welcoming to everyone, who believes children can be anything they want to be.”

Imagination Academy started in 2021 with just three children, including her daughter; however, it has captured the imagination of many parents who have since entrusted Sharia and her staff with their precious ones.

“I came every day and poured my heart and soul into my students and I would post it on Facebook, so everybody saw what we were doing and before that school year ended we had seven students”.

The school has now grown to 18 students and 5 permanent staff.

Others, like the music teacher, art, chess and gardening teacher come in on certain days.

More than a Montessori school

Sharia believes her school is more than a Montessori school. “I believe in Montessori education. I teach with the Montessori materials every day, and all of my teachers have to become Montessori certified. However, whatever it takes to teach and reach a child, we will do. Any child is capable. They just have to be taught the way that they learn. It is one of the reasons I named it Imagination Academy.

“For me, it's about reimagining education in the BVI…how can we really set up a setting that invites children into learning and makes them want to enjoy it. And that is what I do every day. I eat, sleep, and breathe Imagination Academy. Has it been easy, no….It is tiring. I am the owner, I am the principal, I do the accounting, I do everything but because I love it so much it works, and thankfully, God has sent the right staff too.”

Sharia envisages expanding to include a toddler’s house and having a high school one day.

The school will be relocating in September to the Mount Healthy area and Sharia said she is excited about the more space, seclusion, and natural environment offered there.

Enrolment is already open for the September term and parents can reach out to her for more information.

Teacher Training

Sharia aspires to get into teachers' training and be able to host seminars, workshops, and weekend retreats where teachers come together and share their experiences and expertise.

She also believes the VI has a Minister of Education who has at her heart what education should be, and in the short time she has been there she has injected excitement into the system. “Teachers are excited, children are excited, and I believe as they continue to build, including the focus on S.T.E.A.M., the system will grow.”

Other interests

Outside of the classroom, Sharia enjoys dancing in church and is also one of the leaders of the Young Adults Ministry at New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom.

She also enjoys travelling.

Inspiration

Sharia shared that her daughter is the inspiration behind many of the undertakings she has made. She is also thankful to her parents for making the sacrifices to ensure she and her siblings were exposed educationally and her spiritual parents for their guidance and motivation.

Being recently elected as the first woman President of the VIP, Sharia said, “We are finally understanding the contributions women can make and that’s pivotal for me, watching women reach their highest potential and women understanding they can function in any sector.”

She said women have a lot to offer in politics and don’t necessarily have to be on the stage as a candidate.

“I think for a long time we haven’t had a seat at the table. I believe firmly, give us a seat at the table, and if they don’t, build your own.”

Powerful advice to young people

Sharia encourages young people to find that thing they are passionate about and fully explore it as well as surround themselves with people of like minds and mentors.

“That has been pivotal for me and my support team is strong. The people in your circle matter. You have to know the vision and future that you see for yourself and you have to tap into that and sometimes you have to look for successful people in your field and say I want to be like that or just look for people who believe in what you believe in and who believe in you and they will fully guide and support you towards that mission.”

Sharia also advises strongly to trust in God.

“What I do is a God thing. I don’t believe it is just any old thing. I believe God inspired me to do this and because of that, I go after it every day with all my heart. I will keep pushing until the day I am no longer here. My aim is just to leave a legacy behind in education and everything I touch, that says she was here, she contributed something to this and that people would take it and continue it.”