A Berkeley Institute mathematics teacher was stunned when he was named the winner of the 2023 Outstanding Teacher Awards last night.

Hewitt Taylor was praised as a wonderful person who cultivates a positive and uplifting atmosphere in the classroom.

“I am speechless and humbled,” Mr Taylor said. “I don’t know what I do different from the other finalists who came here but I love my students, as we all do. We work tirelessly.

“I am overwhelmed but I thank you tonight for supporting me and allowing me to hold this award in my hand.”

Cidalia Soares-Chan, winner of the 2022 Outstanding Teacher Award, said Mr Taylor fostered a sense of belonging in the classroom and inspired students to engage actively in their learning.

“His kind and encouraging approach not only boosts confidence, but also serves as a model for tact and patience that students eagerly emulate,” she said.

Makeba Stowe, deputy principal and P6 teacher at East End Primary, was the runner-up in the seventh annual competition organised by the Bermuda Education Network.

Ms Stowe was hailed as a “dynamic, selfless teacher” who many respected and knew to be one of the school system’s most valuable assets.

Donika York, presenting Ms Stowe with her award, said she was both a leading teacher and a teacher leader who excelled at leading a team while remaining passionate about their own role in the classroom.

Wayne DeSilva, a visual arts teacher at the Whitney Institute, was presented with a Long Service Award for his 37 years in the classroom.

Lyndsay Simmons, reading a statement from Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, called Mr DeSilva a remarkable individual who has educated and inspired countless people since 1986.

“Mr DeSilva is not just a teacher,” the senator said. “He is a mentor and a nurturer of young minds.”

The Bermuda Education Network Outstanding Teacher Awards aim to illuminate the extraordinary skills and personal qualities that set educators apart.

While acknowledging the inherent virtue of all teachers who dedicate themselves to the daily enrichment of their students and communities, these awards are intended to spotlight those who go above and beyond