Arrindell, Dr. Rhoda

I was born in Curacao and raised in St. Martin, both Caribbean territories administered by the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

In 1985, I began my university studies at the University of Miami and in 1989 graduated from Syracuse University in New York with a bachelor’s degree in linguistics. That year, I returned home and was employed at the University of St. Martin, coordinating the English-as-a-Second Language program and teaching English.

Dr Rhoda Arrindell -Copyright HNP

In 1996, I obtained a pre-law diploma (propaedeuse) from the University of the Netherlands Antilles in Curacao, while working as the community outreach and prevention officer for Turning Point, a drug rehabilitation center, and an editor for The Chronicle newspaper.

In 2005, I obtained a Master of Arts in education administration from the University of the Virgin Islands. At the same time, I headed the Language Division, subsequently the Humanities Division, at the University of St. Martin.

From 2010 – 2012, I served as St. Martin’s first Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs in the UP/DP coalition government. While serving as minister, I graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in 2011, with a doctorate in English, specializing in Caribbean linguistics.

Since leaving office, I continue to work as a consultant and currently teach English at the University of The Bahamas.

I’m the owner/operator of SoIL (Source of Inspiration and Learning) book café and the founder of the Institute for Language Research and Development and the United Academy.

My book Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin was published in 2014.

I believe in love, unity, and people empowerment.