An Outstanding Teacher Award will be handed out when the Bermuda Education Network holds its annual fundraiser at the Hamilton Princess tomorrow.

Nine nominees have been announced for the title, which reflects their outstanding contribution to public schools, with a total of $2,000 available in prizes.

This year’s nominees are:

• Michelle Wales, reading specialist St George’s Prep

She was nominated for her expertise and outstanding technical skill in the field of reading intervention. Her teaching style is efficient and nurturing. She was described by the nominating committee as a “master of the art of helping children learn how to read”. In addition to her teaching Ms Wales is a social entrepreneur and owns and manages the Conscious Vibes Coffee Shop in St George’s, which promotes fair trade products.

• Anthony Crichlow, P6 teacher at Elliott Primary

He was nominated for his dedication and technical skill particularly in the area of teaching primary level mathematics; including exemplary use of progressive inquiry-based techniques, using group work and manipulatives, and his overall commitment to going above and beyond for his students. He has taught at both middle school and primary levels and is regarded as a master of classroom management techniques and respected by his colleagues for his ability to engage some of the more challenging students and to get them excited about learning.

• Lucrecia Simmons, P1 teacher at St David’s Primary

She was nominated for her outstanding work teaching and was described by the nominating committee as a model P1 teacher, always willing to mentor new teachers. She is credited for giving the St David’s Primary School children an excellent start that enables them to be successful learners.

• Camille Edness, P5 teacher at Purvis Primary

She was nominated for exemplary teaching particularly in the area of social studies. She is the social studies teacher leader for Purvis Primary. The BEN team first had the opportunity to meet her at the Artful Thinking workshops where she was an enthusiastic and dynamic participant. The committee described her as “a creative teacher who is particularly gifted at making cross-curricular connections”.

• Kelly Donville, math teacher at Dellwood Middle School

She is regarded as a “legend” within the Dellwood community and was nominated for her incredible dedication to teaching mathematics to M1 students. She was described by the committee as an extremely talented mathematics teacher who skilfully uses whole class techniques and succeeds in turning the most reluctant student into a confident mathematician.

• Angelique Burgess, math teacher at Sandys Middle School

She was nominated for excellence in the field of mathematics and is described as a “quiet force” who goes above and beyond to meet the needs of all of her students. She is also admired for dedicating time to sharing strategies with her colleagues.

• Lisa Siese, P6 teacher at Somerset Primary

She was nominated for her work supporting students in and outside the classroom. She is not only an exceptional P6 teacher but also supports youth sailing programmes, Highland dancing and Menuhin. Last year she ensured that Somerset Primary was able to have a team in the first National Robotics contest. The committee commended her boundless dedication to her students as well as her skilful ability to weave technology into her lessons and make cross-curricular connections.

• Tiffany Fox, music teacher at CedarBridge Academy

She started her career at Sandys Middle School but is now the instructional leader for the arts at CedarBridge where she single-handedly leads the music programme. Her students have performed island-wide and internationally. She founded the String Collective and cofounded Bermuda Youth Orchestra and has collaborated with Menuhin, the Bermuda School of Music and the Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts to revive and promote orchestral music in the public school system. She was described by the committee as a “gifted passionate teacher who has a wonderful rapport with her students.”

• Shalene Dill, drama teacher at the Berkeley Institute

She is responsible for teaching drama GCSE, an after school drama club and producing and directing the Berkeley Arts Department and Berkeley Players theatre productions. Recent productions include Fame, Sarafina and a production of Anthony and Cleopatra during the Shakespeare festival. She was nominated for her dedication to providing acting opportunities to all Berkeley students and for helping to create a rich, creative environment at the school.

Candidates were proposed by a nominating committee consisting of Becky Ausenda, executive director of BEN, Gina Monroe, board director of BEN, Leone Samuels, mentor teacher, Lisa Marshall, social studies education officer, Cindy Corday, co-founder of the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning and Heather Trimingham, teacher at Saltus.

The award is sponsored by AF Smith and KPMG.

For more information on BEN or the Outstanding Teacher Award, call Ms Ausenda on 505-5020 or e-mail becky.ausenda@ben.bm.