Canadian education expert to improve teachers' standards

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16: A top Canadian education expert will visit Bermuda to help improve the standards of school principals and teachers.

Dr Avis Glaze – who is also an adviser to the Premier of Ontario – is to visit the island with her team, courtesy of the Ontario provincial government.

Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith said Dr Glaze would help develop and improvement strategy with a focus on “instructional leadership.”

Dame Jennifer added: “Dr Glaze will help to develop school improvement teams which will focus on developing individualised improvement plans for principals and teachers.

“Having Dr Glaze in Bermuda represents a major coup as she is in demand around the world. Best of all, Dr Glaze comes to Bermuda at no charge to the Ministry of Education.

“In addition, the Government of Ontario has also agreed the Dr Glaze’s team can accompany her – also at no charge to the Government of Bermuda.

“This kind of international educational cooperation is of great benefit to a country of our small size and is greatly appreciated as a contribution to our students’ educational welfare.”

Dame Jennifer was speaking as she issued a report card on reform of education based on the 2007 Hopkins Report.

Dame Jennifer said that a senior manager of human resources will also be recruited to help ensure school staff are developed properly.

She added that the Ministry of Education and the Department of Education will be united for the first time at the new Southside site by next month.