Straid woman scoops an MBE

Former head of the Belfast Education and Library Board’s Peripatetic Support Service, Valerie Haugh scooped the award for services to education.

She told the Times: “I am delighted that the work of BELB Peripatetic Service has been recognised, and as the leader of the service I was overwhelmed to have been awarded an MBE.

“I was employed in the Peripatetic Support Service for 22 years, initially as a senior teacher supporting pupils with dyslexia.

“During this time I contributed significantly to training teachers in the development of assessment and teaching methods for pupils with dyslexia. For the last 12 years I had responsibility for management of support and provision for pupils with dyslexia, hearing impairment and visual impairment, leading a team of 25 staff.”

Valerie was also a member of the NI Dyslexia Task Group 2001-2005 and contributed to the subsequent report.

She describes this report as a “catalyst to change” which led to significant improvements in regional provision and recognition of dyslexia support across the Province. She also spent many years in strategic planning in an attempt to establish ESA.

Asked what the most rewarding aspect of her job was, Valerie commented: “I am privileged to have led a team of specialist teachers in developing a service which is highly respected and valued by schools in Belfast.

“In addition, in September 2011 I helped to establish the Regional Vision Resource Base (RVRB). The RVRB was set up in response to identified need across Northern Ireland for a centralised resource to produce a transcription and reprographics service to produce materials in different formats for pupils with a visual impairment.”

Valerie is now looking forward to visiting Buckingham Palace with her husband and three daughters.