A former nurse has been named as the Teacher of the Year by an organisation helping people to save towards their children's education.

Brenda Williams was given the International Excellence Award for Teachers in Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Bermuda by the Heritage International Scholarship Trust Foundation for her work in helping children.

"Children have always been my passion in nursing when I was on the children's ward at the then St. Brendan's Hospital, then, as a public-health educator and, now, with our children at the Learning Centre," Mrs. Williams said.

"I'd like to thank Heritage for this award and for the acknowledgement of my life's work, and also to thank my daughters, Renee Brown and Syreeta Francis, for nominating me."

Mrs. Williams' professional life has always focused on children. She began her career as a nurse on the children's ward of the old St. Brendan's Hospital and later became an educator in public health. Her nursing experience equipped her with the ability to reach out to and help special-needs children.

Since qualifying as a teacher in the Acceleration Christian Education curriculum in 1992, Mrs. Williams has worked tirelessly first with Bermuda Christian Academy, and now with the Bermuda Christian Academy Learning Center, which she founded in 2005.

Her goal is to ensure that her students excel to their full potential both academically and spiritually. She has worked with children with Down Syndrome and Autism, recognising their strengths and encouraging them to thrive.

President and Chief Marketing Officer of Heritage International, Jason Maguire said: "The teachers we honour are so much more than early-childhood educators. 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.

"Heritage International is pleased to honour Brenda Williams with the International Excellence Award for Teacher in Early Childhood Education."

The award gives communities the opportunity to honour talented ECE teachers who are dedicated to educating their students, often going the extra mile to inspire youth and raise their expectations.

Heritage Education Funds International (HEFI) is the distributor of the Heritage International Scholarship Trust Plan in Bermuda, which manages more than $90 million in assets.

The plan helps parents to save for their children's college educations. Currently more than 2,700 children from Bermuda are enrolled in the plan.

Anyone who knows an ECE teacher may submit a nomination for the annual award. Teachers must currently hold an ECE teaching position, from pre-school to Grade 6. Nominations can be made through December 15, 2009.

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