Dr Maureen Mullings-Nelson Elected JTA President-Designate in Decisive National Ballot

Dr Maureen Mullings-Nelson has been chosen president-designate of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) after a clear victory over Dr Dorian Henry, principal of Montego Bay Community College.

Voting for the 2026 president-elect contest ran from June 15 to 19, with results announced on Tuesday. Mullings-Nelson, who heads the Marico University College Staff Association, received 6,967 votes against Henry's 3,947, from a total turnout of 11,275 cast through face-to-face balloting.

Shortly after the outcome was confirmed, Mullings-Nelson thanked those who helped deliver what she described as a landslide win, while stressing that the result reflected shared teacher aspirations rather than a personal achievement alone.

"This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to every teacher who believes that our profession deserves stronger advocacy, greater respect, improved conditions of service, and a brighter future," she said.

She added that although the campaign had ended, her work was only beginning, and pledged continued advocacy for fair compensation, improved benefits, stronger support at every level, better professional development, and renewed dignity for educators.

"The challenges facing teachers are significant, but so too is our collective strength. Together, we will advocate for fair compensation, improved benefits, stronger support for teachers at every level, better opportunities for professional growth, and a renewed sense of dignity and pride in our profession. As we move forward, I pledge to be a leader who listens, a leader who serves, and a leader who works tirelessly on behalf of every member of this association," she said.

According to a JTA media release, the election was conducted using an in-person voting modality across the association's membership.

Henry, speaking after the count, congratulated his opponent and accepted the members' verdict.

"Let me extend my congratulations to Dr Nelson, who has been declared the president-elect designate. The majority of the members have spoken, and I fully respect their decision. The result was not what my team had hoped for. I'm very grateful to those thousands of teachers who saw it fit to place their confidence in the candidacy that I put forward," he said.

Outgoing JTA President Mark Malab said he has full confidence that Mullings-Nelson can carry forward the association's representation work.

"The votes were very decisive. In my view, it is clearly Dr Nelson commanded the respect and the confidence of the teachers. Clearly, she sold her vision, and the teachers bought into it in a very significant way. She will come to the table with a lot of experience. She's passionate about advocacy. She's passionate about the lot of the teachers. And I expect her to run her leg of the race very well. And I look forward to her sitting in the chair and to show what she can do. Certainly for me, she does have my full confidence and will have my full support," Malab said.

Malab is scheduled to demit office on August 17. LaSonja Harrison, president-elect for the 2025–2026 term, will then assume the JTA presidency.

Mullings-Nelson is set to be officially proclaimed at the association's 62nd annual conference, scheduled for August 17 to 19, 2026, and will take office as JTA president in August 2027.