Deepen a sister-school relationship in Deschapelles, Haiti, while researching the educational and cultural aspects of the community to create inclusive instruction that honors the wide range of human perspectives present in classrooms in both countries.
My fellowship to Haiti this summer gave me an awareness and an appreciation of the country as a whole. As we traveled by tap-taps (taxis), cars, and by foot, I was able to see first hand the beauty and the hardships of the country. The extreme poverty and the garbage filled streets and rivers were shocking to witness, however, the strength of the people, the eclectic mix of religion, art, and language, and the mountainous landscape led me to love Haiti and my time there.
One of the biggest challenges with working with Haitian children this summer was the language barrier. Not knowing their language forced me to find new methods of communication. My team used art as a way to interact with the children and to establish relationships. Every year, there are children in my fourth grade class who have limited English experiences and knowledge. I plan on connecting with my students through art and using it as a tool to communicate and express their thoughts.
This fellowship gave me the opportunity to see a part of the world that most people will never travel to. I was able to witness first hand the people, geography, and education system in Haiti. I am proud of the fact that I now have stories to tell and have formed memories of exploring the country, teaching the children of Deschapelle, and learning about the Haitian culture. This experience has opened my eyes and enriched my teaching and for that I am truly grateful.
After this fellowship, I realized the need to connect student learning to the outside world and the importance of teaching children how to be global citizens. I can help broaden my students' understanding of Haiti along with other cultures and places in the world by providing resources that teach about sustainability and issues that other countries are facing. I hope to teach my students about how they can make a difference once they have a global perspective of what is needed.
Morley School in West Hartford, CT has a sister-school relationship with a school in Deschapelle. The primary grades have held an organized Haiti Day to build cultural awareness by sharing artwork that both Morley and Haitian students have created. My colleagues have decided to turn Haiti Day into a whole school event on their Independence Day which is January 1st. We hope to build our students' awareness of Haitian culture and history and to develop in them an appreciation of the country.
Our Language Arts curriculum focuses on developing research and note-taking skills in order to communicate learning through writing. I plan to have my students learn about the people and the culture of Haiti, the diverse land forms that make up the geography, and the rich history of this country. I will then have my students share their new learning by writing a narrative, opinion, or informational text. An author's celebration will give the students a chance to share their learning with others.
Every year the students and staff at my school help to fill the the local food bank, participate in other school and community projects, and help raise money to help our sister school in Haiti. We strive to teach cultural awareness, responsibility and kindness. This year, I'd like to bring awareness to the issue of hunger around the world. I hope to teach my students about where starvation is most prevalent and how efforts are being made to help those who need it most.
The fellowship gave me the opportunity to experience Haiti and its people firsthand. Walking multiple times through the local village to the Education Center each day, allowed me to see the hardships that the Haitian people face each day, however, I also saw joy in how they live their lives. Through my work with the children at the summer camp, I was reminded of the value of establishing relationships, embracing cultural differences and the importance of education. I'm proud to be a teacher!
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