“Students can have all the physical resources,” he says, “but if they don’t have the right mindset, they will still struggle to reach their potential.”

Drawn to CHJ by its commitment to providing transportation, nutrition, small class sizes, and modern learning tools, he saw an opportunity to do what he had always dreamed of, helping children recognise that their circumstances do not define their future. Along the way, he is nurturing a growth mindset.

His proudest moment came this year when Grade 5 student D’Asia B. earned a Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) national award.

It didn’t come easy. She had developed the flu, and a mistake during rehearsal in front of the school the days before the competition caused her to cut short her performance and leave the stage in tears. He took the opportunity to teach her to learn from her mistake, and that “the show must go on.”

Through his encouragement to learn from failure, she found the confidence to keep going during the competition, even when she made a similar mistake. Her perseverance resulted in a national award, and he is using her story to inspire other students to persevere through challenges both in music and in life.

“Great people become great because they learn from their mistakes,” Mr. Spence tells his students. “Don’t let mistakes stop you.” For him, a mindset shift is the true measure of success.

Mr. Spence has another goal: to equip students with the skills to create music using the same technology as today’s artists, preparing them for opportunities beyond the classroom.

He’s already begun by developing an innovative Tablet Band, where each student plays an instrument on a tablet. He developed the concept in response to his students’ love of technology. The band earned a JCDC national award in 2023 and resulted in the creation of a new category.

When he’s not at school, Mr. Spence can be found with his pot covers, cheering on our Jamaican athletes. He first went viral as a ‘buck up’ in Halfway Tree in 2016 while cheering on Usain Bolt and now uses these appearances to inspire his students with the great things Jamaicans are accomplishing.

Jamaica’s biggest fan is doing his part to create a mindset shift for the next generation.

UPDATE: Mr. Spence was recently recognised for his dedication to guiding, uplifting and empowering the next generation with the Paul Bogle Award for Mentorship and Development at the Eternal Father Awards. He was nominated by another mentee, Yolanda S., whom he supported through her journey to win the Mini Miss St. Catherine competition.