In the words of Buddha, “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
In keeping with the new addition to the National Queen Pageant, Ms. Terisa Lewis, contestant #4 has set her heart to her chosen platform project. It’s her passion and love for education of young minds that led her not only to choose her career path as a teacher, but also her platform for the 2017 Miss Dominica Pageant which focuses on the importance of “Special Education” in our society.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, Special Education is defined as “Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.” As a licenced special education instructor herself, Ms. Terisa Lewis is familiar with the challenges and needs of this evolving profession, and given the current state of our country’s educational system, she believes that change is par for the course.
It’s in this respect that Ms. Lewis is partnering with her sponsors “Step-Up Nutrition” and “The Caribbean Association of Firefighters” to launch a series of activities over the upcoming weeks to raise awareness on the importance of special education and in the process, bring some cheer to children with Special Educational needs.
This project series entitled T.E.R.I.S.A, aims at Transforming the Environment into a Realistic and Interactive Social Atmosphere for those in need of Special Education.
The schedule of activities for project T.E.R.I.S.A is as below:
Monday February 6th: Visit to Roseau Primary School – 10:00am – Terisa will focus on literacy with the Special Ed. Class and read to the Special Education class of the school.
Wednesday February 8th, : “Visit to Abilities Unlimited”- 10:00am – Terisa will meet with will meet with the team which has been working tirelessly for over 50 years in producing high quality baskets and other craft items while offering an opportunity to persons with challenges/disabilities to gain skills and earn an income.
Thursday February 9th: “Special Ed at the Fire Station” – 10:00am – Ms. Lewis is partnering with one of her sponsors “The Caribbean Association of Fire Fighters” to offer a session on fire safety to children form the Alpha Center affected by Down Syndrome.
Saturday February 11th Painting of the Special Education room at the Roseau Primary School with the students. 10:00am
Tuesday February 14th: 11:00am on this day of celebration of Love, Ms. Lewis will return to the Alpha Center for a fun Cookies Day with the kids.
Through her platform and career choice, Ms. Terisa Lewis is hoping to raise awareness on importance of Special Education in our communities and by extension our country.
Good job Terisa. you are making Paradise Valley proud
In the words of the late Bishop Sheen *It is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness.*
We have seen children who were considered slow learners fall behind because the help they needed was not provided. More is known now about special needs and more can be done. God bless all who work in this field.
Was it because the problem was not recognized, the help was not available, or those who should have helped did not care
I do not know. But I have seen it up close. They struggled and had to suffer the emotional pain of not keeping up with their peers. Sadly they did not achieve what they might have in life.
Thank you Terisa Lewis for helping these precious people overcome their challenges and reach their God given potential. The Alpha Center is such a worthy cause. I congratulate them along with the Caribbean Association of Firefighters and all others who partner with them.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill.
Great initiative, However I am not sure how safe it is to say ‘children affected with down syndrome”. It is better to say students with down syndrome. Alpha center has students of all types of disabilities so I think she should have just said for all the students at the alpha center. Great effort, it always pleases me when persons with disabilities are included in society.
Very Good Platform. We know that Special Education is not highlighted enough and so many of our students who need the special education are put in schools with others more academically gifted than themselves. They struggle in such school setting. I hope to see you win and use that platform to reach the powers that be who will take notice and create more avenues, SE teachers, activities for students of special education and the like.
I applaud you Miss Lewis for this initiative. Very well thought out activities.
Great job young lady.This it going even after the show.. Best of luck