Hillsborough, Carriacou, November 30th, 2009- Senator the Hon. George Prime and the staff of the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs have expressed deep condolences on the death of Michelle Coy, Reading Specialist for Carriacou & Petite Martinique. A Ministry statement said the passing of Ms. Coy, who was affectionately called “Teacher Michelle’’ was met with “profound sadness.’’ The statement continued: “Teacher Michelle, whose teaching career spanned over a decade, has indeed left an indelible mark in the lives of the students of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. Her career took her to the six primary schools throughout the twin-isle constituency. “She played a critical role in the Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Teacher Training Programme, which saw Grade 3 teacher at the Hillsborough Government School, Verna Lawrence, earlier this year being awarded a Teacher of Excellence Award. The programme aims to reduce illiteracy and under-achievement in schools through teacher-training and improved reading and writing instruction. Area Education Officer for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Gertrude Simon-Niles, during the staging of the recent preliminary round of the Courts/OECS Reading Competition, expressed appreciation for the work done by Teacher Michelle. Mrs. Niles said that Teacher Michelle had done a tremendous job in ensuring children become excellent readers – even from the pre-primary level. “The Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs expresses heartfelt condolences to Teacher Michelle’s family, especially to her daughter Mariah.’’ From Deanna Isaac PRO Min. of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs