Clifton Hills Elementary School, Chattanooga TN
Engage in a cultural and linguist immersion program based in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica, and also volunteer with CEDCAS, an organization dedicated to empowering families through education and medical support, to build strategies and competencies for meeting the academic, social-emotional and linguistic development needs of newcomer students experiencing trauma associated with emigration.
Lunch with my host family before returning home. So grateful for their hospitality and the time we spent together.
Our guide at the Manuel Antonio National Park had a passion for all things rainforest! He encouraged us to use all of our senses when exploring nature.
A truly unique opportunity to experience the rainforest and this beautiful beach in the same park.
My very first catch ever! I barely dropped the hook and they grabbed the bait. The fish were enormous! Haha
It was amazing how much wildlife the professional guides were able to spot. I saw and learned so much than I could have on my own.
Enjoying time teaching origami from the kids at CEDCAS. They had so much in common with my students back home. I know they'd be fast friends if they'd ever have a chance to meet.
Working alongside a community-based organization, I saw the impact of education, medical services, and mentorship on children and the positive impact these supports can have on entire families. The children had many of the same challenges, preferences, and dreams as my students. This reminded me how much we all have in common regardless of circumstances. The adults who worked with the children demonstrated the power of "Rigor y Amor" (Rigor and Love) in their words and actions.
I can rely on myself, ask for help from others when I need it, and find humor in uncomfortable situations. I spoke Spanish continually (even when I didn’t feel like it!) and developed my vocabulary. I left perfectionism in the US. I embraced mistakes and learned from them. Professionally, I improved my Spanish and practiced new language acquisition and instructional strategies. I connected with other language teachers and plan to continue sharing resources.
Staying with a host family was one of the highlights of my fellowship. I didn't know what to expect, but my hosts were funny, welcoming, and treated me like one of the family. We especially liked to watch Netflix in Spanish together. I even had my own spot on the couch! I didn't realize how much I'd enjoy the wildlife tours. The guides told the backstories behind the animals that'd been rescued, shared fun facts, and personalized them based on the interests and questions of the participants.
Since I've returned, I've assisted Spanish-speaking parents and students in the office before school each day. Because of the fellowship, I have communicated more clearly and professionally in Spanish and helped welcome newcomer students. As co-leader of our school's Community Cadre, I'll use Spanish to help families at our monthly food distribution events and our Hispanic Heritage Event where students will learn about the art, music, dance, and food of Hispanic cultures.
I'll coordinate an online "field trip" with one of the animal rehabilitation sanctuaries I visited. Our fifth-grade students study the rainforest, its wildlife, and humans' effect on the environment. The online tour and Q&A session will guide the students' final projects as they develop and implement plans to care for the environment such as anti-litter campaigns, service days beautifying the school campus, or teaching their families and neighbors how to recycle.
I look forward to leading an event to connect newcomer families with community members and resources this fall. I'll also volunteer with our city's refugee resettlement agency, and assist newly arrived refugees as they transition to life in the US. Of course, I'll continue to encourage my colleagues to design their own adventures and apply for the PEF Fellowship!