Mari Beth Hixson

Edward W. Morley Elementary School, West Hartford CT

Conduct a school visit in Haiti to learn more about its program and needs, and establish a collaborative learning environment that benefits students in both countries.

Where I've Been

  • Dechapelles, Haiti

My Fellowship in Images

Our group was able to experience a trip to the local market. Locals walk 4 miles each Saturday to purchase goods and food. The walk brought us through the lush countryside of Haiti. We saw farms, families, and livestock.The market was incredible.
As part of our visit to Haiti, our team of teachers visited various schools in the surrounding area in Deschappelles, Haiti. This group of students were preparing for their end of year exams. We were struck by the number of students in the class.
Much of Haiti was littered with garbage.There is little to no infrastructure in Haiti; no sewer system, no trash collection.Haitians are very resourceful;using recycled materials when possible.At this school, windows were made using plastic bottles.
After working with the local children, our team visited the library.This is one of a very few libraries in the area.Children read to us and we were able to borrow some books to use the following day.
We spent one morning with teachers from the local school.We spoke about current conditions and concerns in their schools.
Not only did we work with young children but we were able to help high school students with their English pronunciation and reading comprehension.

Your Personal and Professional Growth

How have your knowledge, skills and capabilities grown?

My experience in Haiti has helped me to notice how blessed I am. It has also opened my eyes to the struggles of our global communities and how I might be able to be a support. As I reflect on how I might continue to help and support our sister school and continue to have a relationship with the Haitian people, I have discovered that I don't want this journey to end. I plan on encourage my student here in the US to be aware of others struggles but also be open to new experiences and people.

As a result, in what ways will your instructional practice change?

As a result of my travel experience, I have a better understanding of how a student might feel when they don't know the local language, culture, and customs. I was the minority in Haiti. I didn't understand the locals; their customs, language, or culture. Fortunately, we had translators and Haitian people who spoke multiple languages. I will be more empathetic to my ESL learners and my struggling readers. I now understand the importance of going slowly and being clear in my delivery.

What is the greatest personal accomplishment of your fellowship?

The trip to Haiti took me out of my comfort zone; having to trust I would be safe in a third world country without my family. When I first thought about this trip I didn't think I was strong enough to travel on my own. I was lucky enough to have 4 other teachers from my school as support but I had never traveled with them. It was still a leap of faith! We had to trust each other.

Impact on Your Classroom, School and Community

How will your experiences positively impact student learning in new ways?

I plan to share the photos, stories, and artwork that I found in Haiti. Haitian people have a strong sense of community. They are hard workers who survive on very little. I plan on sharing stories with my students highlighting perseverance, tenacity, and joy. The artwork I choose to bring back from Haiti clearly shows the viewer these tenants. My hope is that my students learn about a different culture from my experience and increase empathy for people that are different from themselves.

What are your plans for working collaboratively with colleagues?

Upon reflection of the work that was begun with the Haitian teachers,I feel that although we are from different countries and different cultures our shared profession gives us commonality.We have high expectations for our students and ourselves.We want our students to be prepared for the global community. We want tools to be easily accessible to our students and our colleagues.I hope to share what I have learned with my colleagues here at home and be able to continue to support Haitian teachers.

Imagining the Future

How do you envision celebrating of your students’ new learning?

Our team's plan is to create a replica of a Haitian school and the Haitian market for our students to experience and to spark imagination. By using some of the artwork that was purchased in Haiti, we would also like our student to create works of art that reflect their life here in the US with the possibility of sharing that artwork by creating a living art gallery. I am envisioning Haitian art and student generated art side by side for parents and the community to enjoy.

Are there issues or challenges in your school, community or the greater world about which you and your students might try to make a difference?

Poverty is an issue in every culture;increasing the awareness of the plight/struggle in Haiti and poverty in our own backyard and how we as a community can help.Encouraging our students to support one another and the surrounding communities;brainstorm ways we might be able to help.We will also be supporting 4 students in Haiti with an educational scholarship.I would like to continue with the relationship that has been established through our partnership with sharing stories through artwork.

How would you describe to a friend or a grant funder the most fundamental ways in which your fellowship has changed your personal and/or professional perspective?

Experiencing life in Haiti has changed my perspective on how people are treated and how we treat each other.I am fortunate to live in a country that has the ability to work out problems collaboratively.It was an eye-opening experience to see the how people live with little to no resources; how communities exist with no help.It was amazing and unfortunate that today there are still countries/people who continue to live well below the poverty line.I am only one person but I can make a difference.

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