Final Post

Since last October when we sent out the acceptance e-mails, we have been looking forward to the International Teaching Experience (ITE).  The 18 students that were selected for the trip worked to raise funds, registered for a three hour class, and started the preparation for the trip.  They learned about the culture, history, geography, customs, government, and schools in Belize.  One of our partner schools in Belize sent us a list of topics in March, and the elementary education students focused on reading .  The CEHD students worked hard to develop appropriate lessons and gather resources and supplied needed to teach the lessons that they had planned. 

We arrived eleven days ago.  For six days, the CEHD taught in the schools of Georgetown Technical High School, Red Bank Primary School, and San Pablo Primary School.  We had to be flexible and make adjustments as we went along.  As part of the program, our students were paired with Belizean teachers.  They worked hard to learn classroom management, student names, routines, and culture.  The schools that we worked in embraced our students and made them part of their faculty.

Nina Beck and I have had the pleasure of watching this group of CEHD students in this experience.  They have done an amazing job.  They were well prepared, flexible, and embraced the schools, teachers, and children of Belize.  They were wonderful ambassadors for our College and our University.  We want to recognize their work and their dedication to being better teachers and world citizens. 

We also want to thank the families and loved ones of the ITE participants.  I know that it was difficult to allow them to travel to a foreign country for 12 days.  Yet, you encouraged them and supported them as they planned and traveled.  Please know how much we appreciate your sacrifice!  You would be very proud of how much they accomplished on the trip.  I know that Nina and I are proud of them!

We also need to thank our leadership team of Shavon Wagner, Tyler Morris, and Olivia Kaiser who worked tirelessly to make sure that all the logistics were in order.  They were a fantastic team!

Thank you for following our blog this week.  We appreciate your interest and support of this project. 

Best Regards,
Dr. Margaret Pentecost

Wednesday

We arrived safely in Belize City.   On the drive, we stopped at the Belize Zoo.  It was a good day to relax after a busy week. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgetown Technical High School

Student Reflection - Jamie

Hello Readers,
As we finish up our last dinner at Cardies, things are starting to set in that this amazing experience is almost over! Today was our last day at San Pablo and it was just as hard saying goodbye to them as it was to the kids at Red Bank. For the first hour, we got the privilege of watching the teachers teach their children. I have to commend them for their ability of using their limited source of supplies to do the same things we do in America. For lunch instead of the ol' PB&J, the teachers prepared a hot meal for us. It consisted of rice with chicken and slaw. It was absolutely delicious! During this time we talked to the teachers about our experience at their school and what we are able to take away from it. I know that my peers could agree that we are so thankful for the way the school and community let us come in and accepted us with open arms. As I wrap up my college career, with graduation 4 days away (YAY), I have been able to take a lot away from this trip. I am so thankful for this opportunity and for the adventures Dr. Pentecost and Nina have taken us on. I know that I will treasure every moment and picture from this trip and remember to always be thankful for the things I have, no matter how little they are.

Yours Truly,
Jamie Collins

Student Reflection - Jasmine

Today was our last day teaching and it was truly a bitter-sweet situation.  Before ending our day we were asked what we took away most from this experience. During our group talk I didn’t have much to say. But after some deep thought, I realized that this is one of the most amazing experiences of my life. After leaving Belize I will not only be a better teacher but a better overall person. I am now a more humble, appreciative, and resourceful person. When I get back to the United States there is no way I could ever go back to the person that I once was. I am forever changed.  There are so many things that I learned that I can bring back that can positively impact my future students in the USA. I originally thought I would come to Belize and have this huge impact, but I found that Belize had a greater impact on me. I thank God for this wonderful experience, it is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I hope that all the other UofL students take away something great from this opportunity. I KNOW I did!!!

Tuesday Pics in San Pablo

 

Student Reflection - Emily

Hi friends!

            Today was our first day teaching at San Pablo and can I say it was an eventful one! First, we took the 9-mile long dirt road, which was about a thirty-minute drive off the highway.  We drove passed many banana farms and saw a few farmers picking bananas.  Needless to say, I’ll never take a banana I eat at breakfast for granted again! 

            When we arrived at the school, the students looked excited to see us.  It’s amazing to think that some of these children have never been out of their village and are so curious as to why I have white skin, light eyes, and light hair.  We started the day assessing the students to gauge their reading levels.  After our first break, we returned to the classroom and I read one of the classics, Corduroy to small groups and worked on phonics and sounding out words in the book. The story interested each and every student and left students smiling when we finished reading.  It goes to show the book’s message of the true meaning of friendship and acceptance is universal and unchanging wherever you go.    

During breaks between classes, the students got a kick out of taking pictures with my camera and seeing themselves on the camera screen. I will never grow tired of seeing their smiling faces.  Some of the girls took me down to the river and showed me where they swam and did laundry.  After showing my enthusiasm about the river and telling them how much I wish I could swim with them, they jumped in without hesitation in their uniforms and wanted me to join them.  I admire the students’ fun-loving attitudes.  Their ability to appreciate life for what truly matters in the midst of “poverty,” will undoubtedly impact my life back in America.

Thanks for reading!

            Emily Dahl