A top-performing teacher has picked up a $1,000 award for her efforts in and out of the classroom.

Tanisha Simone Edwards, a primary four teacher at Saltus Grammar School, was awarded the prize by the Heritage International Scholarship Trust Foundation.

The 33-year-old, who is about to give birth to her third child, was recognised for using innovative teaching methods in early childhood education, such as using dance and rap in her lessons, and leading after-school activities for students.

The Foundation said she "pours herself into her work", has a love of teaching and "is integral in shaping the students who pass through her classroom each year".

Ms Edwards, who used to work at Northlands Primary School, said she was humbled to have been chosen. "I'm just about to have a baby so I'm going to put this one on Heritage!" she joked.

"I don't want to toot my own horn but maybe they chose me just because I have that drive and dedication. I love what I do, it comes naturally. Maybe it's those qualities, I guess, that stood out."

She was nominated for the award by her sister Tonya Symonds. "She didn't tell me so it was a surprise," said Ms Edwards. "I feel that there are so many other deserving teachers out there that are doing what they have to do because they love what they are doing."

Charles Jeffers, the director of Heritage's Bermuda agency, said: "We are a foundation that deals with education and when the idea came about to give awards, teachers were the natural recipients. This is our way of recognising the value of teachers."

Heritage, a non-profit organisation which helps parents save for their children's college education, has its head office in Canada and agencies in Bermuda, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Three teachers in Jamaica and one in the Bahamas also received awards this year.

To nominate a pre-school to grade four teacher for next year visit www.heritageesp.com before December 15, 2007.