Daphne Hall and Sue Ellen Wortzel

From June 18 – July 2, 2010, TALICA continued its work with establishing international educational partnerships. Georgia educator, Daphne Hall of Clark County Schools in Athens, GA, participated in a 2-week learning journey to the villages of Balgue and Madroñal, Ometepe, Nicaragua.  We are proud to announce it was a huge success. Among many amazing experiences with Project Mano Amiga and visiting TALICA partners, the highlight of this journey was our time spent with the learning community of Madroñal.

 

Daphne conferring with writers of Madroñal.

This year, we brought new ideas regarding the teaching of reading and writing to the educators of TALICA partnered school Madroñal. We worked alongside teachers pre-K - 6 grade for 2 days. Students were introduced to non-fiction writing using "All About Books".

How to cook beef soup from a 5th grader in Madroñal.

As we worked with teachers and students, we were reminded how important our books really are. Even in the age of technology, there is nothing quite like instant access to an abundance of books.   During recess, our newest colleagues had many questions about the importance of giving children the opportunity to write daily and in various forms.   We started a powerful dialogue that illustrated even among the vast differences in resources, we have very similar understandings about educating the public.

This reinforces ever so well, that we are much more alike than different.  Only with face-to-face experiences such as TALICA’s Information Exchange can we ever come to believe this to be true. 

Local 2nd grade teacher, Thelma, helps students assemble books.

After each day was done, we were mentally exhausted. Living and teaching all day in a second language is mentally draining. I was reminded just how difficult it must be for our English Language Learners in the United States. With each journey I am enlightened and humbled. I believe this experience helps us be more empathic to the new immigrant families that come to our schools each day. One can't "teach" empathy, one must live it, smell it, feel it. TALICA's Information Exchange offers that.

I will mention again this year, that not only was this trip intellectually beneficial to us and Nicaraguan educators, TALICA found it supported its library programs immensely.  We donated 86 non-fiction and reading books along with reams of paper and other writing supplies to help teachers continue the writing work.

Daphne raised funds that went directly to the purchasing of these books for Madroñal's library project.  Also, she generously donated personal funds for airfare and other expenses for her journey.  She went way beyond the call of duty and TALICA thanks her!! We await her return!

Sue Ellen Wortzel