Hashni Perera has bagged Distinguished Teacher Award

Hashni Perera has bagged Distinguished Teacher Award

• February 17, 2022

Ms.Hashni Perera from Sri Lanka, the directress of Morning Star International Institute the recipient of The Distinguished Teacher Award. Started from a very humble beginning in 2002 with just six students with a mission to educate students with English knowledge because they come from Sinhala speaking families and their mother tongue is Sinhala. The  vision I had was to help these intelligent students to communicate in English which is the global language as we all know and would show them the path to a brighter future.

Going back to my childhood I was born to a middle class Sinhala Speaking family and my mother being the founder of a preschool where I had my foundation in education. My Alma Mater was Holy Family Convent , Bambalapitiya. As I would like to relate back in the day on my first day at Holy Family Convent I recall my mum, leading me by the hand towards two very fair English speaking girls. I was made to sit among them. I was totally out of my depth to say the least, barely able to understand what they said to me. I plodded on regardless of the many obstacles. It wasn’t an easy journey for me but looking back I would do it all again, given another chance!

After finishing my school life, I began to see a need for English in my neighborhood. Since I was at an advantage, because coming from a similar background I was able to relate to them and explain in the vernacular.

Morning Star International Institute, which was established by myself,   began to grow gradually. As time passed the institution has more than  350 students currently and a number of  teachers to assist me with my teaching schedule. Morning Star International Institute caters to a variety of diverse curricula which includes Spoken English / Speech and drama -IMEB /English Grammar /School syllabus - syllabus by the Department of Education/ Performing arts -Affiliated with an Australian school of Speech and drama /Foreign Examinations - IMEB Australia 

I took up a few exams in Elocution (which did help me much) culminating in my Licentiate Diploma with the International Music Examinations Board, Sydney, Australia.

Realizing the need of Spoken English for students ,as time passed by  I created a curriculum for Spoken English for which I have published a variety of books for all grades. The curricula which have been published are followed by several schools.

After completing the  Licentiate Diploma Examination offered by the International Music Examinations Board, Australia in 2017 I do  represent Morning Star International as their sole representative of Sri Lanka and  have  addressed the gathering at the IMEB convocation held in Sydney Australia in 2018. In collaboration with IMEB ,students are also prepared by me to sit for exams in Speech and Drama.

On completion of  the Diploma in Primary Teacher Education in 2018 offered by the Preschool and Primary Teacher Training Center ,Sri Lanka ,I was able to reach more children enabling me to understand them better and teach them enthusiastically.

The driving force in my life has always been Jesus.

I knew that in addition to teaching English the need to  develop my spirituality was important as well. Therefore I also completed my degree in Theology and Ministry from Mount Carmel Theological College, Kandy ,Sri Lanka. In addition to teaching English ,I also teach people about Jesus. I would like to boldly state that Jesus is the great power that has brought me this far.

This helped me to not only be a teacher but a counselor as well. Due to the current pandemic, a lot of children as well as their mothers have gone through difficult times and I have been given the opportunity to guide them regardless of their faith. 

I am looking forward to the great experience which will be explored by me as  I have been selected by Women Icon powered by Times women and World Women Council for the Distinguished Teacher Award. Women Icon is doing a very great job in recognizing the work done by women specially in our part of the world where women are not always given the recognition they deserve. The trouble your organization has gone to in opening this contest to women from many walks of life is truly an encouragement to me. Please give this event more publicity so that women will be encouraged and motivated.

Enclosed I would like to say this to all the young ladies out there who have dreams but don’t know how to make them a reality. Start with one small step at a time and never look back. No matter your impoverished background or lack of knowledge when it comes to bending the road, know that there will always be someone willing to offer a helping hand. Use the support given to you, but never forget your beginning. Always be willing to offer a helping hand to the needy.

Last but not least I need to add that it was my family who supported me on this journey of teaching. I would like to thank my parents as well as my husband and my beloved daughter. A special thanks to Pastor Inoka Kariyawasam , Ms.Diana Ekanayaka and Ms. Sharon Holmes for their continued support.

Best wishes to all the wonderful women participating in the Women Icon Awards.