In 2006, Cam and Ted O’Brien, former owners of Bay Island Beach Resort, founded Partners In Education Roatan (PIER) with a mission to improve public education on the island. As passionate advocates for quality education, they saw the need for better resources and opportunities for Roatan’s students. What began as small fundraising events evolved into a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the local education system and fostering collaboration between teachers, parents, and communities.

To establish a foundation for their efforts, Cam and Ted transformed their former diving resort into PIER’s headquarters, creating the Sandcastle Library, a center for learning and community engagement. This space provided tutoring, science workshops, technology access, and an extensive English-Spanish book collection. Over the years, PIER expanded its reach through fundraising events like concerts and golf tournaments, allowing the organization to grow and develop new programs.

At the heart of PIER’s impact was its work in Roatan’s public schools, which consisted of nearly 4000 students across 173 classrooms in 49 schools. Since most schools lacked libraries, PIER introduced two bookmobiles, staffed by a librarian and a reading specialist, to bring library services directly to students. These bookmobiles were more than just lending libraries—they offered Story-in-a-Bag kits that combined reading, comprehension, and activities in subjects like math and science. Teachers participated in these sessions, learning new ways to engage their students beyond traditional rote memorization.

While the librarian helped students select books, the reading specialist led Story-in-a-Bag activities in classrooms, enriching the student learning experience and introducing innovative teaching methods. During school vacations, PIER staff developed new Story-in-a-Bag kits to ensure fresh, engaging content for the upcoming academic year. Though the program initially faced challenges, teachers soon recognized its value and actively requested more frequent visits.

All lessons were designed to align with National Curriculum standards, and PIER staff worked closely with teachers and school directors to tailor programs to academic priorities. Through these initiatives, PIER became a trusted resource for educators, students, and parents, earning admiration throughout Roatan. When schools temporarily closed, PIER quickly adapted by producing educational videos for teachers to share with their students. Later, the Board decided to station a brightly painted bookmobile in a central community to provide greater access to library resources and special programs.

For many years, the Sandcastle Library served as a vital hub for learning, loaning over 20,000 books annually and regularly reaching nearly 4,000 students. Conveniently located, it welcomed children seeking academic support, tutoring, and engaging activities. The librarian also developed individualized programs to meet the unique needs of students, further reinforcing PIER’s commitment to personalized education.

In 2019, PIER formed a strategic alliance with the SOL Foundation, an NGO focused on youth sports and enrichment activities. This partnership led to the relocation of the Sandcastle Library to the SOL Foundation’s Sandy Bay facility, where the librarian and reading specialists continued to inspire children through creative and interactive learning techniques.

Today, PIER remains dedicated to its mission, continuously evolving to meet the needs of Roatan’s students. The organization is designing new lesson plans, developing virtual learning programs, and expanding partnerships with schools in Santos Guardiola. By sharing curriculums and engaging the community, PIER strives to build a brighter future through better public education.

A better Roatan begins with better public education. Become a PIER Partner and help us continue to grow.