A Barbadian educator has recently been elected chair of the International Development in Caribbean Committee, a sub-committee of the International Reading Association (IRA).

She is former Senior Teacher at the Garrison Secondary School and former President of the Barbados Reading Association, Ann Fergusson.??

Ms. Fergusson recently chaired the annual convention of the IRA in Chicago, which was held from April 24 to 28. She is credited with reviving the Reading Association in 2006 after many years of dormancy and for dedicating her career to helping children at all levels of the educational system.??

The IRA is a non-profit, global network of individuals and institutions committed to worldwide literacy. It has more than 70,000 members and supports literacy professionals through a wide range of resources, advocacy efforts, volunteerism, and professionalism development activities.??

Members promote high levels of literacy by improving the quality of reading instruction; disseminating research and information about reading; and encouraging the lifetime reading habit.

The work of the International Development Caribbean Committee involves support to the IRA, through the facilitation of the promotion of IRA membership and council development in the Caribbean.

It also entailed the identification and/or support of professional development projects in the region; and promotion of the IRA awards and grants, encouraging applications from the region, and assisting with proposal development for IRA grants.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development has offered congratulations to Ms. Fergusson on her appointment and has extended its best wishes, as she executes her duties on behalf of the IRA. The appointment is expected to last for two to three years.

kmoore@barbados.gov.bb

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