Once again a group of Eden Prairie Schools staff members and their families are preparing to embark on an adventure to Central America. This time the trip is to Guatemala - specifically to the organization Common Hope outside of Antigua, Guatemala.Our mission will be to support one or more schools in the area by helping to facilitate some literacy instruction strategies that are new to the most of the teachers in those schools. Those strategies will include elements of Responsive Classroom and NUA. We will model strategies by instructing students in their native language, and we will also meet with teachers to help them begin to understand some cutting edge ways to help their students become more proficient readers, writers and thinkers. Of course our contribution while in the country will just be a start to what will be an ongoing relationship between Eden Prairie Schools and the schools of Common Hope.
Along with the educational portion of our trip, we will be working with children and families in Guatemala in other ways as well. We will be involved in a portion of the construction of a home for a Common Hope affiliated family, we will get a glimpse into family social work visits that are integral to the work of Common Hope, and we will have time to enjoy the culture of the area. It is shaping up to be another wonderful experience for Global Connect!
The trip will take place from July 23rd through July 31st. Take a look at the members of this year's group below, visit our blog daily while we're away, and please keep us in your thoughts during our journey. Thanks, as always, for your support!
2 comments:
Have a wondeful trip everyone! I was a long term volunteer (one year) in 1997 at Common Hope through a sabbatical with the district. I know you will have a good experience. I've been back 4 or 5 times since, but was unable to join you this year. If you meet Tamalyn, Renato, Lisbeth, or Adelso, please give them my greetings. Lisbeth and Adelso worked with me in the special ed. program we started. All the best to you, can't wait to hear about your trip. Kay Lantsberger, PV
We already know Renato well and met Tamalyn briefly when we were here last summer. Great people. We will keep our eyes open for the others and will be sure to give them all your best. I hope you will join us next time we come.
Peace,
Mitch Hegland
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