for granted -- bird watching.

Dr. James Tucker, professor of Educational and Counselling Psychology at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and his wife Priscilla, decided to swap the cold US weather for some Bermuda sunshine.

Few people, particularly in Bermuda, will be aware of the many accomplishments of Dr. Tucker.

"I'm not interested in publicity,'' he says. "I only want to serve my God.'' But even President Clinton recognised his outstanding abilities -- Dr. Tucker was the President's number two choice for Assistant Secretary of Education.

Before his appointment to the Andrews' faculty, Dr. Tucker served as the Director of the Bureau of Special Education in Pennsylvania's Department of Education from 1988 until 1993.

Although he teaches at a private Christian university, he recognises the importance of education for all children -- regardless of their denomination, race, or nationality. His commitment to their learning, he says, is uppermost on his list of priorities.

"Public education as well as Christian education has not demonstrated the best in education,'' he insists. "There's a lot of things that we know to do that we aren't doing. Time is short and a lot of students are hurting. I want to help.'' Dr. Tucker's new responsibilities include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, as well as carrying out independent research and professional writing.

Dr. Donna Habenicht, Chairperson of the Educational Psychology department, says finding Dr. Tucker was "something of a miracle.'' "When I first approached him (about teaching), he wasn't interested,'' she said. "I felt impressed to call him a couple of months later, and he indicated that he might want to make a career change. About this time the Clinton appointments were going on, but God sent him here.'' Dr. Habenicht believes Dr. Tucker will make an invaluable contribution to her department.

"He is a nationally known expert with a national network. He will make a serious and indispensable contribution here. Students are flocking to his classes, and he is an interesting teacher.'' Other distinguished persons are quick to praise Dr. Tucker.

Dr. Glenn Latham, special education professor at Utah State University says: "Jim Tucker is very likely the only really fresh breath of air on the American educational scene today.

"He is so competent, knowledgeable, and with it, and so well regarded nationally, that he is a phenomenon of singular proportions. You could comb the US with a fine-toothed comb for years and never find a better man than Jim Tucker. I've known him for years, worked with him, worked for him, hired him to do work for me, and he is simply the best there is.'' Dr. Thomas F. Stich, Chairman of Mansfield University's Special Education Department echoed those remarks. "When Jim first arrived in Pennsylvania, he found a total educational system which was in a rapid state of decay. Since that time, he has completely restructured Special Education and by doing that, he had a tremendous impact on regular education as well. He positively changed the structure of all education in Pennsylvania.'' But Dr. Tucker says that getting into special education was an "accident''.

"I earned a doctorate in educational psychology. I have several exceptional members in my family, but I had no formal training (to deal with them). I got into it by default, but I had first-hand experience as a parent and teacher.'' Accomplishments in American education are just a small part of the achievements of Dr. Tucker.

Besides his work with the US Government, he has provided consulting services to the governments of Lithuania and Japan, as well as to hundreds of school systems in more than 40 states.

Dr. Tucker's passion, however, is bird watching.

In fact, he is the founder of the American Birding Association, and has served as its Executive Director for 18 years. During that tenure, he authored four books on natural history and birds.

"I have sighted about 1,000 birds in various locations in the world,'' he says. "I've seen about 662 birds in North America.'' And his greatest hope while in Bermuda is to meet Conservation Officer Dr.

David Wingate. "I've written to him several times over the years,'' he says, "but he's probably forgotten. I've read a lot about the cahow, and I am interested in what he can tell me.'' "My favourite bird,'' he adds, "is the cedar waxwing (native to North America), because he is a vegetarian, and is always neat. You will never see bedraggled waxwing, and that bird has become my role model. I would love to be as neat!'' Dr. Tucker and his wife have five children. Priscilla is the managing editor of Andrews University's Journal of Research on Christian Education. The couple have written several books together.

Dr. Tucker's goal is to see all teachers able to adequately teach students of any ability. "My dream is to prepare all teachers to be comfortable teaching all types of students. All kids can learn. Our job is to support them to go as far and as fast as they can.

"Education doesn't need a programme called `special education.' We need a programme that is special for every student. That's what education is all about.'' FOR THE BIRDS -- Renowned special education professor and bird watcher Dr.

James Tucker is in Bermuda for relaxation and a chance to see some of the Island's bird life. His special interest is in the Bermuda cahow and he hopes to meet with local Conservation Officer David Wingate.