BEN to expand primary school programmes

An education charity has appointed five teachers to help it expand its primary school programmes.

The Bermuda Education Network’s new team of “network teachers” will include Rhonda Musson, a P2 teacher at Harrington Sound Primary; Kelly Rodday, a P3 teacher at St George’s Prep; Tiffany Bean, a P4 teacher at Purvis Primary in Warwick; Angela Tota Francis, a P5 teacher at Port Royal Primary in Southampton; and Bryce Williams, from Whitney Institute in Smith’s.

The group will take part in monthly meetings and planning sessions to create lessons and workshops for colleagues in their grade level.

Becky Ausenda, the founder of BEN, said that several members of the new team had experience with the charity before being welcomed into the fold.

She said: “We actually got to know Angela Tota Francis in 2011 when her daughter participated in our Math Springboard programme at the Berkeley Institute.

“We reconnected when her class participated in the Horizons programme and discovered that she shared our passion for thematic learning.”

Ms Ausenda added: “Rhoda Musson was part of a team of tutors organised by BEN to give students extra reading practice while they attended camp at BUEI.

“Kelly, Tiffany and Bryce have come on board to help us create a continuum of experiential learning opportunities starting with the preschool Ben Book club and extending to P5.”

Ms Rodday said: “I love being part of a community of teachers helping teachers.

“It’s been great to get to know the educators who work for groups like Agra Living, whose focus is on growing veggies and food security.

“I’ve also enjoyed playing a part in expanding the art and other resources available for classrooms.”

BEN will restart outdoor field trips, which had been put on hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, in April.