A group of 19 new teachers has graduated from the Bermuda Teacher Induction Programme after two years of work.

And for the first time the programme, which partners new teachers with mentors to ensure ongoing support, has handed out a New Teacher of the Year award — to Krystle Paulino.

The Purvis Primary School teacher won prizes including funding to attend a professional conference of her choice, sponsored by the Bermuda Union of Teachers, while finalists De’Von Allen and Crystal Trott were also honoured.

Cole Simons, the Minister of Education, said: “The foundation of the mentor programme is built on a commitment to meet the individual and collective needs of new teachers entering the Bermuda public school system. As teachers, administrators and leaders we must be committed to providing quality curriculum while ensuring our teachers can effectively deliver that curriculum and improving overall accountability.”

Describing the programme, a Ministry of Education spokeswoman said: “Mentors are assigned to ensure that during their first two years of teaching inductees receive ongoing coaching, professional development, and support.

“Research has shown that the new teacher will have numerous concerns and needs which will require assistance. The unsolicited skill of the mentor is required to affect an atmosphere of reflection where inductee and mentor can identify concerns and build upon strengths.”