Mike Charles, secretary general of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, has been awarded an honorary degree by Endicott College.Mr Charles travelled to the Beverly Massachusetts college to receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at its 73rd commencement exercises on May 24. He was recognised as a “distinguished educator and community leader” by the college’s president Richard E Wylie.“Mike Charles has enjoyed a remarkable career as a distinguished educator and community leader. Through his dynamic leadership, he has made the Bermuda Union of Teachers an internationally respected organisation,” Mr Wylie said.“He has promoted student success while working to provide teachers with the tools needed to support their ambitions. He has opened doors and promoted Endicott’s programmes in Bermuda, helping Endicott to earn a reputation as a well-respected higher education institution in Bermuda.”Mr Charles taught high school in Brooklyn and Staten Island before relocating to Bermuda to continue his teaching career as Deputy Principal at Paget Primary School. Before becoming general secretary of the BUT, he served as president twice and vice president of the Caribbean Union of Teachers.Mr Charles has also served as vice president of the Bermuda National Athletic Association, and is a member of the Bermuda National Education Committee, National Drug Commission, the National Training Board, and the Caribbean Education Awards Committee.He has master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the City University of New York.