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.
The "Four Fellows of Haiti" entered this process knowing that this endeavor would be life changing for all of us. Our goal was to strengthen our relationship with our sister school through educational assistance as shared teaching practices were introduced to fellow Haitian teachers. We strengthened our knowledge base of the history of slavery and the political and socioeconomic strife of the country by visiting a slave museum, La Citadelle and San Souci Palace.
Our instructional practice will include the history of slave trade with Haiti as a component of our social studies units. We have also recently met with our principal to embark on a school-wide "humanitarian" mantra. We will implement a school-wide "Haiti Day" which will include a collaborative effort with our school community to continue to support our Haitian student friends and to provide much needed materials for the educational program in Deschappelles, Haiti.
I think the greatest accomplishment is effectively working with a collaborative team of both Haitian and American teachers to provide a wonderful educational week of programming for students who may have never had the chance to enter a learning environment. Surviving the heat was an accomplishment as well...
One of our goals was to create a living map of both West Hartford and Deschappelles. Students from Morley School developed a tapestry of the town of West Hartford and the students of Deschappelles completed their tapestry to share with our students. Several classes provided a self-portrait drawing with a brief biography which was also shared with the students of Haiti. During our Haiti Day we hope to reconstruct a Haitian school room to convey the challenges of Haitian education.
The "Four Fellows" will enhance our current social studies curriculum with artifacts, pictures and an in depth study of slave trade in Haiti. We will embark on implementing a new school wide character trait as "humanitarians". We plan to develop an awareness of the Haitian challenges and needs through fundraising efforts. We have already been asked to speak at a board meeting and staff meeting in the fall. We will continue to work with the school community to support our sister school.
The team envisions a full "Haiti Day" which will encompass Haitian art, music, history and humanitarian efforts. Our vision is to make this event an annual appeal for support and awareness of underdeveloped countries and the challenges they face. Hopefully, this effort will create an developing mindset for helping others.
Interestingly, one of the things we learned about Haiti is that donating money is helpful but not a long term solution to Haitian woes. I would challenge my students to think creatively to develop solutions which are sustainable over time ,and one that provides development of an infrastructure which includes the Haitian people. It is important for the students to understand that the Haitian people must be an integral part of the solution.
I was challenged by the environment, the people,culture and the lack of basic human needs which we all take for granted. I am reminded that it is our duty to teach our children about humanitarianism and our role in helping others. I learned that all kids are essentially the same. They want to be loved, educated and cared for. We laughed together, and learned together for one week, and then we went back to our manicured homes. I learned the job is not done for any of us.
FUND FOR TEACHERS ©