Teaching and education talent recognised in awards
The Bermuda Education Network is to recognise public schools’ top teaching talent in its annual awards.
This year’s event recognises several “outstanding programmes and initiatives” launched in Bermuda’s public schools in 2024.
Renamed as the Teaching Awards, the goal of the event this year is to highlight exceptional teaching and bring attention to successful new initiatives that are “worthy of emulation”.
Becky Ausenda, the founder of the BEN, thanked Allied World for sponsoring the awards and said: “These educators play a crucial role in shaping the future, and through the Teaching Awards we aim to showcase their invaluable contributions.”
West Pembroke Primary School — Community Action Project Solution with Home Charity: Albert Benson and Shacolbi Basden
Purvis Primary — Dual Language Programme: D’Vonne Ramsay and Katiuska Guerrero
East End Primary — Music Programme: Tamikia Allen
St George’s Preparatory School — Reading Teacher: Natalie Roberts
Victor Scott Preschool — Bright Start Programme: Maha Turner
Northlands Primary — After School Netball Club: Tanika White
Whitney Institute Middle School —Transportation Project: Beth Pacheco
Colm Singleton, the head of Allied World Bermuda, said: “Education is fundamental for the next generation to thrive locally and globally. Allied World is honoured to once again sponsor the BEN Teaching Awards. Best of luck to each finalist.”
A selection committee made up of experienced educators from elementary through to senior schools will meet the finalists to review their submissions over the next three weeks.
The winner will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony on February 20.
A spokesman for the BEN said that changes were made to the selection process this year. Nominations of new programmes and projects were sought from public school leaders and input came from leaders across the system about educators worthy of recognition.
The spokesman said: “BEN’s mission is to provide inspiration to teachers, and the goal of these awards is to discover exemplary new projects and programmes, as well as highlight the achievements of the educators responsible.
“We accept that there are many ways to define who is an outstanding educator and we may in future try to introduce a students’ choice in order to recognise different types of contribution.
“This new approach has resulted in some very exciting candidates and the selection committee will have a tough choice choosing a winner.”
Rather than applying rigid criteria, the BEN Teaching Awards selection committee members will evaluate each entry holistically, considering its unique impact in one or more of the following areas:
Enhancing resources: improving tools and materials in a specific content area
Engaging students: creating new, dynamic experiences that captivate learners
Inspiring learning: motivating students of all backgrounds and abilities to reach their full potential
Innovative teaching: demonstrating creative and effective teaching strategies that benefit both students and educators
Fostering collaboration: encouraging teamwork among educators and community partners
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