A LOCAL teacher has been singled out for her "innovative" classroom methods which have boosted learning among students. Tanisha Edwards, a primary four teacher at Saltus Grammar School, was recognised by the Heritage International Scholarship Trust Foundation as someone who has made "significant contributions to education" on the island.

The organisation, which helps parents set aside funds to pay for their kids' post-secondary education, presented Mrs. Edwards with an International Excellence Award and $1,000 for her efforts. The award was launched in 2004 to recognise worthy teachers in pre-school through to primary four.

"From the very first day our children are dropped off at their pre-schools or primary schools, they begin an amazing journey of discovery and education," said Jason Maguire of Heritage International.

"Educators worldwide agree that this period of learning becomes the foundation for a child's lifelong appreciation of the positive benefits of education.

"These unsung heroes are more than early childhood educators. We have learned that the latest techniques and theories that teachers use make a difference in the lives of the children and help to prepare them for a bright and successful future. I would like to congratulate Tanisha on being Bermuda's unsung hero."

The award is presented annually to "talented, inspiring and dedicated" teachers in Bermuda, the Bahamas and Jamaica who have "widened the horizons and raised the expectations of their students".

Mrs. Edwards has taught at Saltus for two years. For three years prior to that, she was the head of the science and social studies department at Northlands Primary School. She also served as a co-operating teacher and mentor for the Wheelock College Masters' Programme and, during her tenure in the public school system, expanded an after-school activity into an island-wide performance group, the Northlands Dance Ensemble. She has similarly started another successful after school programme at Saltus ? a Bermudian arts and crafts club.

"It basically (showcases) different crafts and cooking which are part of Bermuda's culture and Bermuda's heritage," she explained. "A lot of the children at Saltus are not Bermudian, so it's nice to introduce them to other cultures as well."

Mrs. Edwards regularly uses music to motivate her students, to learn multiplication facts and rules associated with verbs and nouns.

"I've burnt CDs which they take home and practise rapping to at night ? it helps the information stick in their heads."

She confessed her love for teaching often moves her to go the extra mile for her students. Her efforts were sufficient enough that her sister, Tonya Symonds, was led to nominate her for the International Excellence Award.

"She wrote a nice letter and highlighted all the things that I do and I guess they liked it. I'm not sure how many other letters they got," she laughed, "but they were impressed with mine."

Having taught for nine years, and now pregnant with her third child, Mrs. Edwards was quick to point out that the two roles sometimes merged. "I just do what I do.

"Basically, I teach as a teacher and as a parent. I'm nurturing and I give all those extra things that I would want someone to do for my own child.