The Turks and Caicos Islands: Our Heritage, Our History

Dr. Carlton M. Mills, a native of South Caicos, has been a passionate educator in the Turks and Caicos Islands throughout his professional life. He began his teaching career in 1981 as a history teacher at the Majorie Basden High (formerly Pierson High School). He eventually moved up the ranks to Vice Principal in 1988 and Principal in 1990, becoming the first Turks and Caicos Islander to hold that position. He also served as Principal of the Raymond Gardiner High School in North Caicos from 1992-1997 and the University of the West Indies Representative in the Turks & Caicos Islands from 1998 to 2010. Dr Mills also served as Vice Principal of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College from 1997 - 2007. He was also an adjunct lecturer for Sociology. After the General Election in 2007, he was appointed as Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. Following the suspension of the country’s constitution by the British Government in 2009, he was appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Advisory Council. He holds a Certificate in Teacher Education, Certificates in Social Work and Public Administration (UWI), B.A. History & Sociology (UWI), Dip. In Education (London), Med. In Education (Bristol) and a Doctorate degree in Education from the University of Sheffield. He has written and published several articles on education and on the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the local and regional media. He has also presented papers on education at various conferences in the region and in the UK. He is the General Editor of the book A History of the Turks & Caicos Islands (2008). Dr Mills and his wife, Debby-Lee Mills own and operate MILLS Institute, an elementary school in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Debby-Lee V. Mills is a native of Bottle Creek, North Caicos. She is a teacher by profession and has served in the government schools for 27 years, ten of those years as a principal. She is currently co-owner (with her husband) of a local private elementary school, Mills Institute, located in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Mrs. Mills has a passion for education management, mentoring young teachers and teaching of Creative Writing. She is an avid reader who also loves to cook, decorate, garden and entertain friends and family. She has a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Leicester, UK. She is married to local historian and educator Dr Carlton Mills. Mrs. Mills has four adult children, one stepdaughter and is the proud grandmother of six. She currently lives with her family in Miramar, Florida.