The "Edu" portion of the trip takes us to a town school in the Cayo District of Belize, Central America. Focusing on one school each trip allows us to build relationships with the learners and the teachers. On our first day at the school (Wednesday, June 12), we will meet with teachers and administrators to tour our partner school, Santa Elena Primary School, and begin conversations about successes, challenges, and realities of teaching and learning in Belize. This experience provides context for our work. We will also be in our two partner classrooms, facilitating a relationship building activity (get-to-know-you/ice-breaker). This is when you begin to fall in love with young learners!
On Thursday and Friday mornings, we will lead lessons IN classrooms. This is in response to the excitement many past participants have had being in and observing classrooms . . . they often leave saying "I just want to get in there and be with kids!". The benefit is you will come to Belize with two lessons in mind and lead those each morning. The lessons will be in your content area (comfort and mastery zone!!) and will focus mostly on strategies (engaged learning, collaborative structures, etc.).
The professional growth continues in the evenings as we reflect on the day, connect big ideas and new understandings to our practices at home, and collaborate on lesson ideas for the next day.
On Thursday and Friday mornings, we will lead lessons IN classrooms. This is in response to the excitement many past participants have had being in and observing classrooms . . . they often leave saying "I just want to get in there and be with kids!". The benefit is you will come to Belize with two lessons in mind and lead those each morning. The lessons will be in your content area (comfort and mastery zone!!) and will focus mostly on strategies (engaged learning, collaborative structures, etc.).
The professional growth continues in the evenings as we reflect on the day, connect big ideas and new understandings to our practices at home, and collaborate on lesson ideas for the next day.