A Bermudian-born teacher has become a leader in the education field in the United States.

As the recently appointed principal of Clifton Hills Elementary in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Charles Joynes -- formerly of Cable Hill, Devonshire, heads a staff of 27 teachers.

And in a school of 495 students, Mr. Joynes said 98 percent were from low income families.

"We have some of the poorest kids in the city,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

But Mr. Joynes went on to say he welcomed the opportunity to "truly make a difference'' and took the initiative to make a personal contact with his students whenever possible.

Recently he travelled to a home in the housing projects -- a traditionally bleak area of American cities -- to formulate a remedial learning programme with the mother of a third-grade student struggling to read.

"It takes that interest to make a difference,'' he explained.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed.

He has been voted teacher of the year in Hamilton County, is a member of the District's teaching committee, was recently featured in The Chattanooga Times , and has been asked to share his views on a television talk show.

Mr. Joynes reluctantly suggested he had received the acclaim because onlookers realised he "really cares about kids''.

And he credited another teacher from his youth in Bermuda for inspiring him to choose his career.

"Because of her contribution and attitude, it caused me to want to work with children...to inspire and change people,'' he said of former Elliott Primary School teacher Helene (nee Mills) Stephenson who is now at Victor Scott Primary.

The father of three also singled out the nurturing influence of his mother.

"The caring that I have really came from the background of my mother,'' he said. "She instilled that in me because she cared so much.'' Mr. Joynes' four brothers and parents Howard and Gloria Joynes still live on the Island and he said he visits home as often as he can.

He grew up in and attended the Elliott Primary School and St. George's Secondary School until an overseas trip at the age of 13 exposed him to "all of the differences'' of the US.

After coming home briefly, he returned to the US and stayed first with an aunt in Nashville, then his father in Indiana, and finally another aunt in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

While completing high school Mr. Joynes became an all-star football player and went on to serve four years in the US Navy before attending University of Tennessee-Chattanooga on a soccer scholarship.

He has taught at two other American schools as both a teacher and assistant principal.

And Mr. Joynes also taught at Sandys Secondary School from 1986 to 1991.

Four years ago he returned to speak at the school's graduation ceremony, and he also plans to return in 2000 to open a time capsule buried on the school's grounds in 1990.

Mr. Joynes said he maintained contact with his previous students -- some of whom have visited him in the US -- whenever possible.

"I'm always in contact with the kids, I just think it's important,'' he said.

And although he has no immediate plans to return to the Island on a long-term basis, Mr. Joynes acknowledged it was a possibility and said he stays abreast of local developments in education.FAMILY MAN -- Charles Joynes poses with his wife, Lisa, and sons Brandon and Quentin at a recent wedding. Missing is Mr.

Joynes' eldest son Kevin.

BERMUDIAN BDA