Dr. Salome Tillett’s remarkable story is a source of inspiration for many. Her journey began with the most modest of origins: in Libertad Village, Corozal District, as the daughter of Juana Isabel, a teacher, and Raymond, a cane farmer and BSI factory worker. It’s a journey that was marked from the very beginning by determination, leadership, loyalty to her beliefs, and initiative.
“As the child of a factory worker, I could take the company bus to my high school in Corozal Town,” Dr. Tillett recalls. “But my friend couldn’t since her relatives did not work at the factory. Because of this, I refused to ride the bus and instead, we walked about one mile and a half from our village to its junction with the Northern Highway and hitch-hiked, sometimes in cane trucks. This meant leaving home very early every morning, but I would not let her walk alone.”
That commitment and resolve would be a common thread throughout the rest of her years. In fact, despite her family’s financial constraints, a determined young Salome would go on to find a way to pursue her education by seeking support from her uncle to fund her high school fees.
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“Without my parents’ knowledge, I asked my Tio Landy (Orlando Castillo Sr.) if he would pay my fees because Mom could not afford it,” she said. “And he agreed to do so. When I told my mom that I could go to high school because it would not be an expense to her, she gave me a proper scolding for seeking help without her consent, but she agreed.”
Salome excelled in her high school years, enrolling at the age of ten and graduating at just fourteen years old. During that time, she had to survive with hand-me-downs from her older sisters. It often involved stuffing big shoes with paper to make them fit, since among nine children, she was the third in line for attendance at high school.
To this day, Dr. Tillett credits her Mom for nurturing in her and her siblings a passion for learning and a determination to succeed. Her mom did this through their many Friday night home school sessions which included practicing multiplication tables, spelling, poetry recitals, studying geography, and memorizing quotes from the Students’ Companion.
In addition to her strong drive, from her early years, Dr. Tillett had an unwavering love for reading— a love that compelled her to go as far as reading by flashlight under the blankets when the lights were turned off. She was particularly drawn to spy novels (she wanted to be a spy one day) and the school librarian’s encouragement only fueled her passion.
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“It was always hard to put down a book. In fact, I was addicted to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys series as a teenager. I recall the librarian telling me ‘I hope you get paid to read books,” said Dr. Tillett.
That early fascination with books cultivated a sense of creativity and resourcefulness in her. With time, as she delved deeper into literature, she developed a profound appreciation for storytelling and the power of language. This passion ultimately led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English Education, which prepared her for teaching English Language and Literature. This ultimately provided her with a platform to share her love for literature and communication while simultaneously nurturing the imaginative minds of her students.
From Trailblazing Teacher to Transformative Principal
Photo by Saint Catherine Academy
At the age of 33, Dr. Tillett made history as the second lay principal of Saint Catherine Academy (SCA).
“I got the appointment letter from Sister Sarita Vásquez, and I was overcome with fear and self-doubt, so I immediately prayed, asking God to guide me and help me to perform this job in a way that honored both Him and the Sisters of Mercy, who were placing their confidence in me,” she said.
A few days into her first leadership year (2002), several Sisters of Mercy, including Sisters Sarita, Francine, Mercy, and Rose, came over to the school and gave her their blessing.
“They sang a mercy song of affirmation with their hands raised in blessing to Maria Coyi (the vice principal) and me. It felt like a transfer of the Mercy mantle to our shoulders. It was a beautiful and poignant moment that moved me to tears and strengthened my resolve to serve the school and them to the best of my abilities.”
Since then, Dr. Tillett has initiated and championed a leadership style characterized by an innovative blend of humility and strength. She leads by example and strives to foster a culture of collaboration and empowerment in the faculty and students. Throughout the years of her career, she was mentored by senior principals including Chris Aird, Frank Garbutt, and Brenda Armstrong as well as by the caring and supportive Sisters of Mercy.
Championing Mercy Values
Photo by Saint Catherine Academy
Dr. Tillett’s tenure as principal has been defined by her steadfast commitment to nurturing a sense of purpose and compassion within the SCA community and a bold conviction that quality education is the right of all the nation’s children.
“Up to 2002, The Sisters of Mercy were always visible and still in service at SCA,” said Dr. Tillett. “The school community consistently saw the sisters of Mercy around, whether it was Sister Christine in the library, Sister Josella sharing prayers and selling gooseberry jams from Santa Familia Monastery, Sister Mercy visiting to encourage the girls, or as teachers and retreat leaders like Sister Mercita, Sister Andretta, Sister Rose, Sister Leonor, and Sister Carolee.”
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“As the number of Sisters dwindled on the campus,” she said. “It became more important to give students a sense of the bigger purpose of an SCA education and their responsibility as heirs of the charisma of Catherine McAuley and Mercy.”
Embracing the rich legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, Dr. Tillett has worked tirelessly to instill the core values of mercy education, ensuring that students not only excel academically but also embody empathy, integrity, and a deep sense of social responsibility.
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- Photos by Saint Catherine Academy
Her vision for SCA goes far beyond academic success, as it also focuses on the holistic development of confident, patriotic, and gospel-driven young women grounded in compassion and service to others and who feel responsible for making the world a better place.
Photo by Saint Catherine Academy
Dr. Tillett’s leadership has not been limited to SCA. Because of her commitment to the children of Belize, she is known as a strong advocate for systemic improvement of the country’s education system. As a respected leader in her field, she has served in numerous capacities including as the Chairperson for the Belize Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, a founding member of the Belize Catholic Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, and the Grant Aided Managing Authority of Schools, Board member of the Roman Catholic Bishop’s Commission, member of the National Council for Education, the National Covid- 19 Committee, the National Competency-Based Curriculum Committee, and the Belize Board for Teacher Education. She also represented Belize internationally on the CXC Council and the Mercy Secondary Education Council.
Beyond that, serves her community of Crooked Tree Village on the Village Council, in the Annual Cashew Festival, and at the Crooked Tree Museum for Creole History.
Educational Innovation and Excellence
Photo by Saint Catherine Academy
In 2005, Dr. Tillett sought Sister Carolee Chanona’s permission to explore the possible construction of a new building for SCA. Sister Chanona’s response was overwhelmingly positive.
“Her letter also expressed her hope that I have the persistence and perseverance to see the dream through to completion, said Dr. Tillett. “It wasn’t until 2017, twelve years later, when we finally inaugurated the SCA Multipurpose Mercy Center, that I understood the wisdom of her words. To date, we remain the only secondary school in the Caribbean to have boldly and successfully floated bonds to invest in the expansion of infrastructure.”
Photo by Saint Catherine Academy
Photo by Saint Catherine Academy
Over the years, Dr. Tillett has also spearheaded initiatives to integrate technology into SCA’s learning environment, recognizing the importance of preparing students for the demands of the future. This was perhaps most evident during the challenging period that was the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a full transition to online learning. This transition is what led Dr. Tillett to pioneer the use of the Flipped Classroom teaching model in the Belizean classroom.
Through these initiatives and many others like them—including the implementation of High Expectations Teaching for All and the establishment of a Professional Learning Community—Dr. Tillett has been instrumental in transforming SCA into a beacon of educational progress. Her commitment to creating a dynamic and enriching academic environment has raised the bar for educational standards at SCA and positioned the institution as a trailblazer in the region.
Looking to the Future
Dr. Salome Tillett with SCA alumnae (L-R) LCDR Alma Pinelo (Belize Coast Guard), Kaya Cattouse (Belize City Councillor), and Jacinta Usher (Oceana Belize). Photo by Saint Catherine Academy
In June 2024, Dr. Tillett achieved a significant milestone in her professional career by earning her Doctorate in Education from Rockhurst University. This accomplishment further solidified her dedication to advancing her knowledge and expertise in education, paving the way for continued innovation and excellence at Saint Catherine Academy.
Dr. Salome Tillett’s dedication and visionary leadership over the past two decades have continuously propelled St. Catherine Academy, with the school soaring to new heights each year. Her unwavering commitment to championing mercy values and fostering educational innovation inspires not just the school community but the broader educational landscape as well. Her legacy of excellence and compassion is a testament to the transformative power of education and leadership. And even more than that, her remarkable journey—which serves as a testament to the potential for positive change and growth within the field of education—has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all those she has touched. She is married to Allen Tillett and has two sons, Adrian and Aaron, and two grandchildren Ajna and Adam.
Article written in collaboration with Saint Catherine Academy
