A Bermudian teacher has earned top honours at Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia and been named the class valedictorian.

Shannon Davis, who has completed a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education at the Canadian university, was praised by the school as someone who exemplified MSVU’s values.

The university website said: “In addition to being bright, articulate and insightful, she is community-minded, a critical thinker and a leader.

“She is known as a supportive classmate and a generous listener.

“Having returned home to Bermuda, Shannon has already moved forward in her career and is now teaching at a local school.”

Ms Davis teaches social studies at Dellwood Middle School.

Ms Davis said she had been transformed because of her time at the university in a recorded statement, released by the university at last Sunday’s online commencement ceremony,

Ms Davis added: “I have become a problem solver, rather than someone who is happy with the old, traditional way of existing.

“If you see a problem and believe it’s worth fixing, try to change it. Try to be that change.”

She said she learnt more about social unrest in Bermuda in past while at the university.

Ms Davis added: “It was this awakening that fostered a love for social justice issues and thinking of ways that I can tackle these problems.

“Becoming a teacher is what I chose as my avenue to make change in my community and for my island.”

Her sister, Samantha Davis, said her entire family was thrilled by her accomplishments and her late father would have been extremely proud of her.