Today was the first day of workshops for the primary and secondary teachers. The Learning Coaches that Greg and I worked with last week are facilitating workshops for primary teachers, while Greg, Peggy and I are working with secondary teachers. Peggy worked with teachers on Cooperative Learning, Greg lead discussion forums and I focused on Differentiated Learning.
It was a wonderful day! Peggy's group did a great activity outside in the grass in which they discovered that the more things you try to juggle the trickier a task becomes! Greg and the teachers enjoyed discussions about assessment, assigning zeros and managing student behaviors. Teachers experienced differentiated instruction by sharing written stories, pictures, songs and role plays. As teachers left the classroom their 'exit ticket' was to share three stars and a wish. Many teachers wished for more time!!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Reflections from Peggy
What a great first week we have had! Many of our experiences have already been discussed so I'll add just a little. I believe the relationships formed between the North American volunteers (mostly Canadians, but I'm actually from Texas) and the Belizeans is the key to success. Rotary's ideals are what must guide us and that is certainly what is happening. "Service before self" is definitely the theme of the week. On Thursday night, Miss Delly Martinez, a local assistant manager, invited all of us, along with the local manger and staff to her house for dinner. The table was overflowing with wonderful Belizean food. Her hospitality and willingess to open her home to us is evidence of the loving spirit with which we are received. After a long week of workshops we got to sit and visit with the ministry about our partnership. As new friends, we shared our experiences and our vision for education in Belize. Toledo is making strides and Mr. Reyes, the local manager, credits the Canadian Rotary program, TFABB, the leadership from the local ministry, and the hard work at 49 primary schools with this success. Each piece is essential!
Our principals and learning coaches are hungry for information that they can take back to their schools. When we present ideas, they help us contextualize those ideas so they will work in Belizean schools. There is an equality in the process that is inspiring. Sometimes we lead, sometimes they lead...and in the end we all learn. All Rotarians should take pride in the work that is happening in this district. True partnerships are hard to find...but this is truly one!
Friday, August 6, 2010
A Blog from Wes
My new friend Wes, with TFABB, willingly wrote the follwing blog. Greg and I have LOVED every minute working together with Wes, Peggy and Anthony.
The principal workshop in Punta Gorda has been a successful blending of the efforts of two organizations. Members of Teachers for a Better Belize (Anthony Stevenson, Peggy Gill, and Wes Hickey) have been working with the principals for several years, and with the country-wide training of the Canadian International Rotary Club #5370, a natural alliance was born. The Canadian Rotary Club program developers welcomed TFABB principal trainers, and TFABB was excited about the opportunity to continue building upon the relationships that had been developed among the principals in Punta Gorda.
The week started with a review of CAPS (curriculum, assessment, pyramid of intervention and spirituality). Peggy followed up with a discussion of Balanced Literacy on Tuesday. Anthony addressed appraisal and classroom management issues on Wednesday, and Wes focused on strategic planning on Thursday. Lynne Paradis visited on Thursday and discussed the overall collaborative training project with the principals. Lynne is an excellent speaker who had the attention of all participants as she discussed the history and importance of the Canadian project.
The principals of Punta Gorda, as always, were appreciative of the opportunity to attend the training. Trainers were impressed by the knowledge and expertise of PG principals regarding leadership. They are very dedicated individuals who will sacrifice time and resources to provide a better education for the students in their charge. The efforts of the Canadian Rotary Club, TFABB, and the Belize Ministry of Education are designed to improve on the support of educational leaders in this region.
The principal workshop in Punta Gorda has been a successful blending of the efforts of two organizations. Members of Teachers for a Better Belize (Anthony Stevenson, Peggy Gill, and Wes Hickey) have been working with the principals for several years, and with the country-wide training of the Canadian International Rotary Club #5370, a natural alliance was born. The Canadian Rotary Club program developers welcomed TFABB principal trainers, and TFABB was excited about the opportunity to continue building upon the relationships that had been developed among the principals in Punta Gorda.
The week started with a review of CAPS (curriculum, assessment, pyramid of intervention and spirituality). Peggy followed up with a discussion of Balanced Literacy on Tuesday. Anthony addressed appraisal and classroom management issues on Wednesday, and Wes focused on strategic planning on Thursday. Lynne Paradis visited on Thursday and discussed the overall collaborative training project with the principals. Lynne is an excellent speaker who had the attention of all participants as she discussed the history and importance of the Canadian project.
The principals of Punta Gorda, as always, were appreciative of the opportunity to attend the training. Trainers were impressed by the knowledge and expertise of PG principals regarding leadership. They are very dedicated individuals who will sacrifice time and resources to provide a better education for the students in their charge. The efforts of the Canadian Rotary Club, TFABB, and the Belize Ministry of Education are designed to improve on the support of educational leaders in this region.
A story from a new friend
I (Sharmayne) was very fortunate to meet Madonio Cal. We had a conversation about children's learning and how to best support teachers. He told the following story and said to me "... and so I took a risk." He took the time to write his story down and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
The journey to assist teachers that are in dire need in the remote area of Toledo is one with many challenges and difficulties. As a field support educator I found out that continuous monitoring is important in order to help the teachers to deliver effective and informative lessons. Resources are scarce to visit the 49 schools but as a leader with moral responsibility there are times we had to cross flooded rivers on graders or hitch hike on private transport to help teachers to ensure that children are getting the full support necessary for life long learning.
We are grateful for the teacher's receptiveness in accomodating our presence in giving them support within their classroom. Their positive attitude towards our presence and the children's beautiful smile and voices was enough for us to forget our trouble of getting to them.
As educators we must begin to see the deeper meaning of why we are teachers? What is our moral obligation to the generation in our care? I therefore must conclude that we are the voices of transformation, and the will to do so must be reflective in our attitude and our daily performance to the children we treasure.
"The voice an enabling reflective educator we must, for a reform critical education in the 21st century."
Contributed by:
Madonio Cal
August 2010
The journey to assist teachers that are in dire need in the remote area of Toledo is one with many challenges and difficulties. As a field support educator I found out that continuous monitoring is important in order to help the teachers to deliver effective and informative lessons. Resources are scarce to visit the 49 schools but as a leader with moral responsibility there are times we had to cross flooded rivers on graders or hitch hike on private transport to help teachers to ensure that children are getting the full support necessary for life long learning.
We are grateful for the teacher's receptiveness in accomodating our presence in giving them support within their classroom. Their positive attitude towards our presence and the children's beautiful smile and voices was enough for us to forget our trouble of getting to them.
As educators we must begin to see the deeper meaning of why we are teachers? What is our moral obligation to the generation in our care? I therefore must conclude that we are the voices of transformation, and the will to do so must be reflective in our attitude and our daily performance to the children we treasure.
"The voice an enabling reflective educator we must, for a reform critical education in the 21st century."
Contributed by:
Madonio Cal
August 2010
Changes
We have been informed that we must all be involved in the secondary sessions due to the volume of Belezean teachers. Although we cannot be there to support the learning coaches, we are happy to know that there is such interest in professional development! Since our sessions go Mon, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we can go to the Methodist school to watch the LCs on Thursday. We are so excited to see how their presentations turn out! For most of them, this is their first time running a workshop and taking on the role of educational leader. We know they will do a fabulous job!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Highlights!
This week Sharmayne and Greg have planned sessions for the Learning Coaches. On Monday, we went through CAPS, Tuesday was all about Classroom Management, and today we focused on Balanced Literacy. The Learning Coaches are fabulous teachers with a wealth of experience. We have certainly learned more from them then they have from us. That being said, they have shown us a great deal of appreciation. Sharmayne and I feel like we are in our element having such rich professional conversations! The Belezeans are suprised to hear that we have similar challenges and we often get into debates about topics like mandated common exams.
The learning coaches have been split into 6 groups and to day we decided that each group could plan to run a workshop on CAPS and one other. That way, CAPs is the underlying theme for the entire week and the attendents will get consistent messages for the other three topics. The Learning Coaches will have less to plan and can instead focus on doing a great job. We are confident that these new leaders are well set up for success! We also decided that Sharmayne would stay with them for the primary sessions while I (Greg) go off to do the secondary sessions with Peggy. This way, if there is any need for support, Sharmayne can provide it.
The learning coaches have been split into 6 groups and to day we decided that each group could plan to run a workshop on CAPS and one other. That way, CAPs is the underlying theme for the entire week and the attendents will get consistent messages for the other three topics. The Learning Coaches will have less to plan and can instead focus on doing a great job. We are confident that these new leaders are well set up for success! We also decided that Sharmayne would stay with them for the primary sessions while I (Greg) go off to do the secondary sessions with Peggy. This way, if there is any need for support, Sharmayne can provide it.
Monday, August 2, 2010
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