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SINGAPORE : The 5th Teachers' Conference held at Suntec on Monday saw some 2,000 educators, including 56-year-old Susan Elliott, a hearing-impaired teacher from the US.
Elliot, a Colorado Teacher of the Year in 2009, is one of several teachers invited to speak at the conference - which provides a platform for educators to share their pedagogical expertise.
She had drawn attention earlier this year, after her invitation as a speaker was withdrawn by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
"I was crushed. They had asked me a year ago to send in my bio-data, and it has 'deaf' all over it," said Elliot.
A ministry spokesperson cited the incident as a "misunderstanding about the need for interpreters, and her professional experience."
"To be dis-invited, I thought... perhaps there would be a small number here that would be interested in what I had to share. And I had difficulty understanding that," said Elliot.
Elliott, a teacher of 30 years, was later asked to rejoin the conference after the ministry apologised.
"I think because there was an outcry, (or) perhaps maybe I needed an opportunity to share what I do, it was reversed. And I'm here. I'm ready to move forward, I have no axe to grind with MOE," said Elliot. - CNA /ls
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