SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - History was made in St. Maarten today with the official media press launch of Project INSPIRE, a two-year pilot initiative being implemented through a partnership between Education, Consulting, Academic Advising and Mentoring (ECAAM) of Dominica and the SKOS Catholic Education Foundation of St. Maarten.
The initiative aims to strengthen educational support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), enhance educators' capacity, and promote more responsive, inclusive learning environments.
According to SKOS Training Center Curriculum Director, Ms. Gianne Wilson De-Weever, Project INSPIRE is designed to improve educational outcomes for students with SEN while equipping teachers with strategies to better respond to diverse learning needs. Project Inspire stands for: Inspiring, Nurturing, Support, for Professional, and Responsive, Inclusive Education.
ECAAM Facilitator Ms. Ivy Benjamin explained that the programme takes a holistic approach to special education, beginning with teacher and manager training, followed by practical application of the strategies learned, parent workshops and awareness campaigns designed to encourage broader societal understanding of students and persons living with disabilities.
Benjamin said the two-year pilot will focus on strengthening instruction, assessment and student support through regional collaboration, professional development and the use of effective teaching strategies.
ECAAM Lead Consultant Beverly LeBlanc noted that the initiative will support educators at Sister Regina Primary School, St. Dominic Primary School, St. Dominic High School, St. Joseph Catholic School of Education, Sister Borgia Elementary School and St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School.
The programme is intended to help educators better understand individual student needs, adapt classroom practices and create environments that encourage participation, engagement and inclusion.
Project INSPIRE Pilot is made possible by the generous financial support of the following businesses based in St. Maarten, Winair, Winward Island Bank, Artmenia Events Planning, Accessible Ventures, and The Hope-Ros Family.
Following the launch, SKOS Catholic Education Foundation Executive Director Lilia Aventurin-Hodge, speaking to Richie Ferrol Media Services, described the initiative as timely and necessary for improving the learning environment for students with disabilities in St. Maarten.
Aventurin-Hodge commended LeBlanc for her competence, passion and commitment, describing the launch as a strong beginning for the two-year pilot. She also emphasized the broader goal of ensuring that children are supported to become functional members of society.
Project INSPIRE will continue for two years under the agreement between ECAAM and the SKOS Catholic Education Foundation of St. Maarten.
About SKOS Catholic Education Foundation of St. Maarten
The Foundation Catholic Education St. Maarten (SKOS) is a Catholic educational foundation serving the school community of St. Maarten through a network of Catholic schools. With a history of providing Catholic education on the island dating back to the arrival of the Dominican Sisters in 1890, SKOS continues to focus on the holistic development of students academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.
The Foundation promotes learning environments that support the individual needs and development of students, while encouraging innovation, professional development and meaningful partnerships that strengthen education. Its schools include primary and secondary institutions such as St. Joseph School, Sister Regina Primary School, Sister Borgia Elementary School, Sister Magda Primary School, Sister Marie Laurence Primary School, St. Dominic Primary School and St. Dominic High School. SKOS also supports initiatives focused on inclusive education, student well-being and specialized learning needs, including the Mustard Seed Special Needs Program.
About ECAAM
Education Consulting, Academic Advising and Mentoring (ECAAM) is committed to strengthening educational outcomes through individualized academic support, inclusive education, professional development, academic advising, mentoring and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
Through initiatives such as the Summer Intensive Academic Support Programme, ECAAM continues to create opportunities that respond to the diverse needs of learners and promote inclusive, equitable and meaningful educational experiences for every child.
