Colleagues

The word colleague has always been interesting to me.  More than someone who works with you, a colleague is a person who shares similar goals and purposes.  This alone can be the basis for amazing friendships.  In New Hampshire many of my close friends are fellow teachers.  I so appreciate the ways in which we can relate to each other concerning the joys, challenges, and quirks of life as a teacher.  Coming to Haiti this summer to work with the teachers was exciting because it meant forming relationships with like-minded people, and even more so, because all of these teachers view education as more than a profession, but an opportuinty to serve God by caring for people.

On Monday, our first day with the teachers, I was more than a little bit nervous about the way that the teacher institute would go.  The school has been working through so many challenges since the earthquake, and it was uncertain how the teachers would feel about a month-long teacher training presented by Americans who clearly are very removed from the daily realities of education in Haiti.  Thankfully, the first day was an amazing experience, and this has continued to be true with each following day.

Beverly, Barbie, and I divided the teachers into three groups based on the age-level of their students.  We spend three hours in the mornings in these "base groups" discussing various topics from child development to the way to write effective objectives.  For the last hour, we go to the new computer lab to work on our technology skills (the pictures are of the teachers playing an online typing game to improve their keyboarding skills.) We begin every morning with prayer and devotionals, and this piece is constantly an encouragement.  To hear these people who have been impacted by so many great struggles speak passionately about the love and grace of God is moving beyond words. 

On Friday we worked on writing philosophy statements about education.  Since we focused on the development and learning of students this week, the focus of the writing was on the child.  To brainstorm before we began writing, the teachers made a list of things they believed about students.  By the end of this time, we had a list of 100 different truths about students.  The following are just a few of the amazing insights that these teachers came up with...

*Students can make a difference.

*Students are naturally curious.

*Students can have a positive impact on their environment.

*Students are created to love God and to be loved by God.

*Students have the right to an education, protection, health, have all of their needs met (food, shelter, clothing, medicine…).
*Students will bring change to their world.

What an amazing experience to work and collaborate with such an extraordinary group of educators!  Thank you again for your continued support and encouragement on this journey! Love in Christ, Jessie