A FORMER St. Brendan's nurse who now works with special needs students has been awarded this year's International Excellence Award for Teachers in Early Childhood Education by a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping families save for college.

Brenda Williams (pictured), founder of Southampton's Bermuda Christian Academy Learning Centre, is this year's recipient of the $1,000 award from the Heritage International Scholarship Trust Foundation thanks to her "life-long dedication to teaching", says the organisation's president.

"The teachers we honour are so much more than early-childhood educators," said Heritage International's Jason Maguire.

"The skills and caring Mrs. Williams brings each day to her classroom and her life-long dedication to teaching has made a difference in the lives of her students."

Mrs. Williams began her career as a nurse on the children's ward of St. Brendan's Hospital (now the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute) and later became an educator in public health. Her nursing experience equipped her with the ability to reach out to special-needs children with Down Syndrome and autism - although she teaches students of all abilities at the Bermuda Christian Academy Learning Centre.

"The emphasis is not just on special needs, its all children," she said.

"The curriculum we have is individualised. They progress at their own rate. We work around them."

As for how she will spend her prize money, Mrs. Williams is torn. Her daughters Renee Brown and Syreeta Francis, who nominated her for this award, have asked her to spend the money on a treat for herself. However, she is considering putting her winnings towards a college education for her youngest adopted daughter.

For those interested in more information about Heritage International or in the savings plan, which has helped fund higher education for 1,300 Bermudian students, contact Charles Jeffers on 292-9533 or George Smith on 295-3868. Anyone who knows an Early Childhood Education teacher may submit a nomination for the annual award through December 15, 2009.

To obtain further information on the award criteria or to download a nomination form, visit www.heritageesp.com.