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TCI Special Education Team Attends Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention

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SEN Teachers and EO at the Council for Exceptional Children Convention
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH,
CULTURE, AND LIBRARY SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 24th March 2025: On 11 – 15 March 2025, a team of Special Education professionals from the Turks and Caicos Islands participated in the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention & Expo 2025, held at the Baltimore Convention Centre in Baltimore, Maryland. This annual event is a key platform for advancing best practices, policies, and innovations in the field of special education, bringing together educators, researchers, and advocates dedicated to supporting individuals with diverse learning needs.

Representing the TCI at the convention were Ms. Tevynn Lewis, Ms. Denecia Harris, Ms. Makiliah Forde, and Ms. Faaida James, Education Officer for Special Education. Over the course of the event, the team engaged in specialized training sessions, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops, focusing on areas such as individualized education plans (IEPs), behavioral management strategies, inclusive classroom practices, and assistive technology.

A major highlight of the convention was a keynote presentation by Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading voice in autism awareness, who provided valuable perspectives on understanding and supporting neurodiverse students. Additionally, sessions led by Dr. Mary Brownell underscored the significance of collaborative teaching models and the implementation of research-based interventions to improve student outcomes.

Attending the CEC Convention provided the TCI delegation with new strategies, resources, and professional connections that will contribute to the ongoing development of Special Education services in the islands. The insights gained will be instrumental in enhancing classroom instruction, strengthening student support systems, and promoting inclusive education across schools.

The Minister of Education, Hon. Rachel Taylor commented, “Our participation in the CEC Convention & Expo 2025 reaffirms the Government’s commitment to providing quality education for all students, particularly those with exceptionalities. The insights and strategies gained from this global forum will further strengthen our efforts to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment across our schools. I commend our Special Education professionals for their dedication to continuous learning and their unwavering commitment to the success of every child,” 

The Ministry of Education remains committed to professional growth and capacity-building initiatives that empower educators to meet the diverse needs of students. The participation of the Special Education team in this global event marks another step toward ensuring that all children in the Turks and Caicos Islands receive the support they need to succeed academically and socially.

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Education

Champions for Christ International School of Excellence

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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 

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Bahamas News

Holmes Rock Junior High School on Track to Open in September

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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)

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Education

Belize Students Explore Cruise Careers Aboard Carnival Paradise

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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.

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