Dellwood Primary School's science teacher has won the second teacher of the year award granted by two sister organisations concerned with learning disabilities.

Emma Saunders was praised for her "tireless efforts'' and "keen interest'' in encouraging all students to learn science via fun but effective activities.

She follows inaugural winner Tiannia Lowe and for the first time will be joined by a runner up, Gail Hill of Somerset Primary.

Ms Saunders' tenure was announced this week by the Learning Disability Association (LDA) and Bermudians Overcoming Learning Disabilities/Difficulties (BOLD), a support group.

A ceremony was held in the offices of Partner Re, an exempted company which also provides financial support to both LDA and BOLD.

Partner Re also provides for the highlight of the teacher of the year's tenure, a trip to a major educational conference on learning disabilities, which will be held this year in New York.

Ballots for the competition were placed in public and private schools throughout the Island as well as in the Ministry of Education.

Milton Scott, a former teacher who is now Education Minister, said the award was part of a campaign to return teachers to a "privileged'' position within society.

He added: "Keep up the good work. Your efforts are part of helping restore public confidence in teachers.

"We don't have many opportunities to celebrate the positive aspects of education,'' Mr. Scott continued. "We always see the negative in the newspapers.'' Mrs. Lowe thanked both BOLD and Partner Re for the opportunity to attend this year's conference in February.

She said an early identification of learning disabilities is the most effective way of helping students who are having difficulties.

"I think it would be wonderful for parents and more teachers to attend the conference,'' Mrs. Lowe added.

"I was impressed with the parents who knew the law, even the relevant section, that entitled their child to an equal education for learning disabled students.''