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Mathematics Teacher of the Year, Karema Mundell-Thomas, describes herself as a risk averter.

And that’s why the teacher of 15 years says she is yet to acquire a vehicle for herself.

In an article last Friday, THE STAR highlighted that Thomas travels 27 miles on three taxis, from her home in St Catherine to Carron High School in the hills in St Mary.

But Mundell-Thomas said that while she would like the convenience of having her own vehicle to take her to and from school, she doesn’t want to take out a loan to do so.

“Taking out a vehicle would come with additional loan payments and those kind of stuff. And those are things that I shy away from. I was an applicant to the Student Loan (Bureau) when I was doing my first degree. And having finished that degree, I kinda pledged that I would not put myself in a situation where I’d have to be paying a loan again,” she said

Persons reached out

Mundell-Thomas also said that the roads that lead to her home “aren’t really the best either”.

“So coupled with payments for your vehicle, I’d have to also think about wear and tear,” she added.

After the article was published, many persons reached out, wanting to assist Mundell-Thomas to get a vehicle.

She told THE STAR that she was overjoyed at the response.

“I entered the competition not expecting a lot. But a vehicle, wow, would be a thousand leaps ahead. It’d be a gift,” she said.

Mundell-Thomas said that she leaves her house at 6 a.m. every day to get to work. She travels with her daughter, who she said attends a primary school close to her job.

“I am up by 5 o’ clock in the mornings every day. I take roughly an hour to get ready and ready my daughter for school. I pay $1,100 to $1,200 for fare every day for myself, and an additional $500 for my daughter,” she said, adding that she does not receive a travel allowance.

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Persons may contact Mundell-Thomas at Carron High School, telephone 876 320-3597.