classes that she felt they were in jeopardy of failing, Berkeley Institute teacher Tiannia Lowe tried a bit of bribery to avert the problem.

"I talked them into coming in every Saturday morning,'' she said "And from 9.30 a.m. to noon I was there with them. I also got a pizza and some soda every week, a sort of bribe to get them to stay.'' As Ms Lowe carried out her tutoring, she said she had no idea anyone was taking note to the point that they would nominate her as educator of the year.

But that is exactly what happened when the Bermuda Overcoming Learning Disabilities (BOLD) group called for nominations.

"The decision was made by our committee,'' said Mair Harris of BOLD. "We put out nomination forms in the newspapers, supermarkets and circulated them to PTAs and our members.'' Nomination forms were deposited in drop boxes in supermarkets around the Island, then judged by a five-member panel.

Mrs. Harris explained that Ms Lowe's commitment to helping children who had learning disabilities was the reason she won the award this year.

"The boys were not coming to school because they had learning disabilities,'' she said. "But after Ms Lowe began to help them, their grades improved and they started coming to school regularly.'' "Her extra curricular commitment and changing the attitudes of the boys toward school made her our first choice for educator of the year,'' Mrs.

Harris said.

Ms Lowe, at the awards presentation last night, told The Royal Gazette : "I'm truly honoured to be receiving the award. It is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience.'' BOLD is part of the Learning Disabilities Association of Bermuda and the Educator of the Year is presented annually with a plaque and a free trip to the US Learning Disabilities Conference -- being held in Reno, Nevada early next year.

PartnerRe Ltd. donated $2,000 this year to be used for expenses to attend the conference.