Connect with us

Education

Special Education Needs (SENS) Teachers Receive Critical Training to Enhance Support for Students

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 24th March 2025: The Department of Special Education Needs Services (SENS) in collaboration with the Department of Education, hosted an intensive Special Education Teacher Training on March 20, 2025. This initiative brought together special education teachers from public and private schools from across the islands, equipping them with essential skills and strategies to better support students with diverse learning needs.

The workshop, led by SENS Behavioral Analyst, Christina Joseph, Speech-Language Pathologists, Jamiliya Jordan, and Caleb Hunter (Intern through Therapy Abroad), focused on evidence-based practices in communication development, behavior management, and classroom interventions tailored for students with special needs. Teachers gained hands-on experience in developing individualized support strategies, improving engagement techniques, and fostering inclusive learning environments.

In attendance throughout the training was the Minister for Education, Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Permanent Secretary, Mr. James Astwood, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mr. Amin McCartney, and Director of Education, Mr. Mark Garland, reflecting the Ministry’s strong commitment to advancing special education. Their presence underscored the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of education for students with special needs and provide continuous professional development opportunities for educators.                                                                                                                            Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director of SENS, emphasized the importance of ongoing professional development in the field of special education. “Our numbers show that speech and language delays, as well as behavioral challenges, remain among the most prevalent issues affecting our students. By investing in our teachers, we are ensuring that students receive the best possible support in their classrooms.”

The training is part of the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance capacity-building within schools and strengthen collaborative efforts between educators and clinicians. The initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to improving special education services and ensuring that every child has access to quality education tailored to their needs.

Hon. Rachel M. Taylor, Minister of Education, commended the initiative, highlighting its role in building human capital within the education sector. “Strengthening the skills and expertise of our educators is an investment in the future of Turks and Caicos. When we equip teachers with the necessary tools to support children with diverse learning needs, we are not only improving educational outcomes but also fostering an inclusive society where all students can thrive.”

The Department of Special Education Needs Services extends its gratitude to the facilitators, participating educators, and all stakeholders who continue to champion the cause of special education.

For more information on upcoming training sessions and special education initiatives, parents and educators are encouraged to reach out to the department at sens@gov.tc.

Education

Champions for Christ International School of Excellence

Published

on

Tiffany D. Grant-Saunders, MSW, BA Acting Principal/Guidance Counselor

Turks and Caicos, September 5, 2025 – It is our esteemed pleasure to introduce you to Mrs. Tiffany D. Grant-Saunders, MSW, BA, as the new Acting Principal/Guidance Counselor for Champions For Christ International School of Excellence, effective September 1, 2025.

Mrs. Grant-Saunders is the youngest daughter of Millicent R. Grant and Kenneth Grant.  Raised in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, she is a 2016 graduate of Champions For Christ International School of Excellence.  She holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Clinical Counseling from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL, having graduated Magna Cum Laude.

She brings her experience as a Mental Health Technician and Education Liaison in Dade City, FL. In addition, she completed her internship as a Therapist Intern with North Tampa Behavioral Health and Zephyrhills Behavioral Health.

We are excited to have Mrs. Grant-Saunders return to the Turks and Caicos Islands and invest her time and talents in the continued building of our student body here at Champions For Christ International School of Excellence.

Please join us in welcoming her home!

 

Claudette M. Basden

Founder & Executive Director 

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Holmes Rock Junior High School on Track to Open in September

Published

on

Bahamas Information Services

 

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Kingsley Smith along with Deputy Director of Education for the Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays District, Michelle Bowleg toured Holmes Rock Junior High School to assess ongoing progress and ensure the project remains on track to welcome students for the new academic term in September.

Following the tour, Smith expressed optimism regarding the ongoing progress, stating, “Having toured the site and seeing the work that is being done on the weekend, shows the commitment and dedication to getting it completed.”

He also noted that after discussions with the contractors, he was assured that with sufficient manpower and around-the-clock work, the project remains on track for completion by September 1, 2025.

“One of our underlying goals is really access, so we are happy that the school will be up and ready for our students,” said Bowleg.

She highlighted that several zoom meetings were held with parents to keep them informed about key updates including booklists, uniforms, and staffing. According to Bowleg, feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It is a beautiful facility, one that parents will be very proud of, and the entire West Grand Bahama community,” she added.

(BIS Photos/Danielle Rollon)

Continue Reading

Education

Belize Students Explore Cruise Careers Aboard Carnival Paradise

Published

on

Belize City, Belize (Aug 19, 2025) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, recently welcomed 40 students from five educational institutions in Belize aboard the Carnival Paradise cruise ship. The visit was part of an initiative organized in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Board, aimed at inspiring future careers in the maritime industry.

The students represented Gwen Lizarraga High School, Sadie Vernon Technical High School, Nazarene High School, Anglican Cathedral College, and the Hope Center after-school program. The visit provided a firsthand look at cruise industry operations from Carnival’s perspective, highlighted onboard career opportunities, and supported ongoing youth empowerment efforts in Belize City.

During the guided tour of the ship’s public guest areas, the students were able to observe daily cruise operations up close, describing the experience as inspiring and educational, with many noting they learned about opportunities available in the cruise industry.

Captain Ivan Vatovic, Chief Engineer Domenico Bibita; Hotel Director Vivek Menon; Food & Beverage Director Stephen Kim Reynolds; Human Resources Director Daniel Marques De Oliveira; and Environmental Officer Daniela Ramos Licon spoke with the students about their respective roles aboard the ship. Learning & Development Manager John Philip Ortega provided an overview of Carnival Cruise Line’s recruitment process and the various shipboard career opportunities available.

Kwame Scott, Cruise Relations Specialist at the Belize Tourism Board, highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, “Partnering with Carnival Corporation has supported us to expose Belizean youth to viable career paths within the tourism sector. When students can see firsthand how the cruise industry operates, it opens their minds to possibilities they may never have considered.”

Julian Mortis, Director of The Hope Center, praised the program’s powerful educational value in an interview with 7 News Belize. She explained that the tour provided students with more than just a glimpse into a cruise ship. By learning about the roles and requirements, the children realized that a career on a ship, and the opportunity to travel the world, was a real and achievable possibility for them.

Photo Caption: Some of the participating Belizean students and teachers pose for a group photo aboard Carnival Paradise during an educational ship visit.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING