DMS Announces education award winners

(CNS): The winners of the Joanna Clarke Excellence in Education Award (JCA) and Scholarship were announced by local firm, DMS, at a gala, which took place at Grand Old House recently. DMS introduced the award to honour education pioneer Joanna Clarke in 2007, and publicly acknowledge the efforts those that contribute to education locally. Through the JCA, DMS awards education initiatives with up to CI$12,000 annually and a minimum of $2,500 to aspiring teachers. DMS President Don Seymour said, “What could be more important than the young minds of these islands? It’s not enough to prop up the status quo. The prosperity that we have experienced as a nation demands that we invest soundly in its future – and these young minds.”

This year’s scholarship was awarded to Erica Powell who will use her funding to pursue a teaching certificate at the University of Tampa.

The JCA Committee applauded the Cayman Islands Government Speech and Language Department: “Communication with Picture Exchange Communication System  (PECS)” project and Red Bay Primary School for their “Stop and Think” initiative.

The PECS project helps non-verbal and minimally verbal children learn how to communicate by exchanging pictures representing a request for an object. The ‘Stop & Think’ initiative aims to help students learn social problem-solving skills and to reduce the occurrence of impulsive and reactive responses to common interpersonal conflict situations.

Ms. Clarke commented, “Never did I imagine that the most important chapter in my career would come so late and postpone my retirement. It has been an experience of immense reward and learning for me and proof that we’re never too old or too young to make a difference.”

Previous recipients of the Joanna Clarke Award program include: “Catch up Literacy” and “Making Hanen Happen”. Previous award winners also include the N.C.V.O.’s Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home, Cayman Islands Scout Association for Cayman Islands Scout Band, John Gray High School, Cayman Prep and High School, George Town Primary and Savannah Primary School PTA.

More information about the award can be found at www.joannaclarkeaward.ky.