Dr. Norma Hendrickson is this year's chairman of Education Month with the Ministry of Education and has coordinated many events to celebrate this month's theme of "Literacy: The Only Way to Go.'' "The Education Month Committee has the awesome task each year of taking an in-depth look at our own community to determine an area within which said community has shown or is showing more than cursory interest,'' she advised.

Topics highlighted in other years have been science and technology, business, multiculturalism and tourism. The immense focus this year is literacy.

Simply defined, Dr. Hendrickson said: "Literacy is the ability to communicate by reading, speaking, listening and viewing.'' Reading is extremely important in today's complex world. We asked Dr.

Hendrickson to give us her personal perspective on the following questions: Do you recall how you learned to read and what is your first memory of reading? "I looked up at the wall in the bedroom and the calendar from the motor oil company was hanging there. I climbed on the bed and traced the large letters with my finger, `Veedol', and I pronounced the word. I can clearly remember how excited my father was as he exclaimed, `she can read, she can read.' I was three years old.'' What key advice could you give parents regarding literacy? "These strategies are not original; they are ones that come with years of experience: Read to your child and have your child read aloud to you.

Check your child's work when he comes home from school; ask him about his notes.

See that he completes his assignments; that he has all materials ready for school the next day.

Repeat these strategies several times per week.' How did you happen to choose a career in education? "I wish I could say something profound like, `ever since I can remember, I always wanted to teach.' The truth is, I was in college studying foreign languages and realised that upon graduation I would have to earn a living.

Because I was very good at what I was doing, I was often called on to tutor. I rather liked the interaction, especially with young adults, so I became a secondary school teacher.'' What is your exact title and role within the Education Ministry? "I am a senior officer, assistant to the Permanent Secretary for Education. I handle such administrative roles as technical advisor to the board and to scholarships and awards. I also handled the 1996 curriculum management audit and I am liaison officer for information to overseas education agencies.'' What aspects of your work do enjoy the most? "I like working with overseas agencies.'' Do you have a particular message for the Island's educators? "I would not be so presumptuous. Each educator is unique and perfectly capable of bringing his own magic to the classroom. I would say in general, keep up the good work.'' EDUCATION MONTH MINI SUPPLEMENT ED