early childhood development international...
TRANSCRIPT
Early Childhood Development
Program:
SOUTH AFRICA
2013
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM UPDATE:
PO/TWA PARTNERSHIP AUGUST 2013
Emily B. Karem, Associate Vice President, International
ABOUT TEACH WITH AFRICA & LEAP
Teach With Africa is a non-profit organization empowering students and teachers by bringing educators to Africa to teach and learn. Teach With Africa supports academic programs, educational leadership initiatives, and community development training by placing experienced educators in underserved schools and centers. TWA is committed to working with local partners to create success for African students and teachers.
The TWA mission is to break down the economic and social barriers to education in Africa by sending teams of educators to implement projects in underserved communities through an exchange of teaching and learning. By integrating their experiences into curricula and educational programs after their return to the United States, these educators will enhance opportunities for African and U.S. students to enrich their educational experiences and identify themselves as global citizens through authentic connections, ongoing dialogue and shared learning
www.teachwithafrica.org
ABOUT TEACH WITH AFRICA & LEAP
LEAP has created a new model of education in South Africa. LEAP’s approach to education is multi-faceted with interventions staged at different levels. Through initiatives aimed at different target groups we have created an education alliance that brings sustainable change. From learners to teachers to community leaders and education stakeholders we have a broad network of partners that form the LEAP learning community.
LEAP Vision Leap strives for the positive transformation of communities through the meaningful education of children from those communities.
LEAP mission LEAP schools provide student-centred, maths and science-focused education to economically disadvantaged students from grades 8 to 12. We focus on enabling the self-awareness necessary for each student’s growth to healthy adulthood, and to ensuring optimal academic results which will allow for choices for lifelong learning and a fulfilling future.
www.leapschool.org.za
VISION FOR THE PARTNERSHIP
A Holistic Approach to
Education in South Africa Pacific Oaks and Teach with Africa share a belief that addressing education in South Africa must start with a focus on early childhood. It is these formative years that provide the foundation for children to develop and prosper. The train the teacher approach allows the team to asses the needs, strengths and goals of the teachers in South African townships and rural communities and then develop a curriculum jointly with the teachers based on these findings.
The Global Teacher Institute:
From Cradle to Career The goal of the Teach with Africa Global Teacher Institute is to produce both more and better qualified teachers in South Africa. One component of this is for teachers, at any level, to have a solid understanding of early childhood development and how that development might have a long term impact on a student’s learning. The Pacific Oaks Master Teachers chosen to participate in the ECD program will also work with The Global Teacher Institute to provide workshops and mentorship to the LEAP Future Leaders around early childhood education.
VISION FOR THE PARTNERSHIP: WHY SABI SANDS?
Our Program The PO TWA partnership has been created to add further value to the existing “Growing to Read” project developed by Singita. By allowing master teachers from the US to visit Sabi Sands for 4 weeks, and present a series of weekend workshops as well as hands-on monitoring and guidance in the classrooms and on the playgrounds, it enhances the local teacher training that is provided on a monthly basis. The weekend workshops are offered to teachers from all 20 pre-schools. The more intense monitoring and guidance, as well as supply of resources, are offered to 6 selected schools only.
Growing to Read Growing to Read is the educational program, founded by the Singita Community Development Trust, which has been working in partnership with the non-profit READ Educational Trust to enhance the quality of early childhood education offered by 20 the pre-schools that serve the Justicia and Lillydale villages. These are communities that border the Sabi Sand Game Reserve where three of Singita’s lodges are located, in rural Mpumalanga province. The Growing to Read programme aims to equip teachers from these communities with the knowledge and skills they need to progress from being Child Carers to Early Childhood Development (ECD) educators - and to provide them with the support and assistance they need.
PO PARTNERSHIP WITH TWA: A TIMELINE
2011 2012 2013
Partnership began
with pilot project in
Sabi Sands in July
2011 with 2 master
teachers.
PO Faculty
Committee launched
to develop locally
relevant curriculum.
Local advisory
committee created to
guide curriculum and
training materials.
July ’12, pilot project
with 4 master
teachers in South
Africa
Training Materials
redevelopment
July ’13, 3rd Annual
ECD program,
Incorporate Global
Teacher Institute
Launch social media
component,
Welcome SA Teacher
to USA for Exchange
Program
2014
July ’14, 4th Annual
ECD program
Training Materials to
enhance READ
curriculum
THE ECD PROGRAM: COMPONENTS
PO Faculty Committee
In Country Advisory
Committee
Ongoing Support
(WhatsApp Facebook, Workbook)
In Country Training: TWA
Fellows
Teacher Exchange
THE ECD PROGRAM: THE PLAYERS
• Role of READ:
• Ongoing teacher training throughout year
• Ongoing in-classroom support & monitoring
• To 2 teachers at each of 20 schools
• Provide practical curriculum in line with local & national government requirements
• Provide training materials
READ
• Role of Singita:
• Singita sponsors READ
• Catering for workshops
• Provision of educational resources for all Schools
• Accommodation, hospitality & daily transport for PO/TWA master teachers for 4 weeks
Singita
• Role of PO/TWA:
• Add value to existing curriculum in form of practical workshop material
• Present 4 x weekend workshops
• Monitor & present hands-on guidance to selected schools over 4 weeks
• Deliver donated school supplies to the selected schools
• Provide ongoing teacher support through social media
• Host 1 x teacher on exchange in USA
PO/TWA
THE ECD PROGRAM: THE PLAYERS
The 2013 Faculty Committee
Regna Booze, Core Faculty, School of Human Development & Family Studies
Suzanne Evans, Coordinator, Online Courses, School of Education
Cheryl Greer-Jarman, Core Faculty, School of Human Development & Family Studies
Ijumaa Jordan , Master Teacher Trainer
Ellie Kaucher, Acting Dean
Hadiyah Miller, Master Teacher Trainer
Tim Sundeen, Program Director, Human Development, School of Human Development & Family Studies
Olga Winbush, Core Faculty, School of Human Development & Family Studies
Janie Rosenburg, Director, Pacific Oaks Children’s School
THE ECD PROGRAM: THE PLAYERS
“I have always considered that working with children allows me to be at my best. They are always learning and discovering new things each day. How do things work? What makes things go? These and many more are questions we should always be asking ourselves. As I work with teachers they have a deep understanding of what is best for young children. The world is ever changing and learning from one another helps all of us gain a better understanding of each other. The best teachers are the best learners and learning from children can give us a greater understanding of who we are in the learning process.”
Kathy Ramirez
“ I strive to honor the diversity of persons and experiences I encounter every day, to learn from them, and to listen very carefully to the many voices that help me understand the world from points of view outside of my own narrow experience”.
Cary Larson-McKay
The 2013 In Country team included Cary McKay & Kathy Ramirez
THE 2013 TRAINING PROGRAM: A SUMMARY
ECD Program
2
Master Teachers
400 Hours of Service
6 Training
Workshops
Training
70 teachers
In
20
Schools
Affecting
1,617 Learners
Ob
se
rve, E
ng
ag
e, P
artic
ipa
te,
Sh
ow
, Le
arn
THE 2013 TRAINING PROGRAM: A SUMMARY
Wo
rksh
op
s
“Extending Possibilities in the Classroom
Creativity: Making your Own Resources”
“Using repurposed materials to Create
Educational Resources”
“Planning for Learning & Documentation”
Boys’ & Girls’ Learning Differences
“An Intro to Early Childhood Education”
On
Sit
e Su
pp
ort
Henna
Happy Homes
Ntshuxekani
Maziyane
Hintekani
Xihlovo
Insp
ire, S
ha
re, R
eso
urc
e, L
ea
rn
THE 2013 TRAINING PROGRAM: TEACHER FEEDBACK
“They know exactly what we need and they are doing it great. Nice to be with them”
“I (now)know how to design some of the
material I have to use in the class”
“ I learn how to observe children
while they are in the areas to pay attention
to the child if they need help to make
sure the are happy.”
The teachers and learners were open to
new ideas which opens up a world of possibilities.
THE 2013 TRAINING PROGRAM: BRINGING LESSONS HOME
“By integrating their experiences into curricula and educational programs after their return to the United States, these educators will enhance opportunities for African and U.S. students to enrich their educational experiences and identify themselves as global citizens through authentic connections, ongoing dialogue and shared learning.” Teach with Africa
The following are lessons learned by this year’s team.
Learners
•Group celebration of answers
•Respect for materials and resources
•increasing the value of play by direct teacher participation
Teachers
•Passion and commitment under trying circumstances
•Using the term ‘learners’
•Valuing the intentional teaching of patience
•Active and direct participation in outdoor games.
•Limiting children's choices when the intent is to focus on a particular aspect of learning
Classroom Environment
•Large gardens and outdoor space
•Staggered arrival at school creates calm start to the day
•Discussion around weather to start the day
•Taking role by child finding names on the wall.
THE 2013 TRAINING PROGRAM: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
• Bring teacher from SA to US for teacher exchange (Winter 13/14)
Teacher Exchange
• Develop Master teacher certification to promote in country training.
Master Teacher
Certification
• Work more closely with LEAP future leaders, enhancing understanding of importance of development and early childhood education.
LEAP
• Work with Singita to procure computers & internet for each training school to enhance training communication.
Computer Procurement
NEXT STEPS
Fall 2013 Winter Spring 2014
PO Faculty
Committee Program
Debrief
On Campus
Presentation during
International
Education Week
Advisory Committee
Meeting via Skype
Teacher Exchange
Program in
Pasadena
Call for future
Fellows to apply Final collaboration
with READ & Singita
regarding training &
school selection
Summer2014
July ’14, 4th Annual
ECD program
Selection of
Fellows for Program
PO Faculty
Committee Meeting
In addition to the activities listed we will focus on
Creating a more clear mission and vision for the PO faculty
committee.
Exploring the potential to include PO students in order to expand
the number of schools served.
Outlining a program for a visiting teacher to Pacific Oaks
Seeking additional supporters and potential funders.
NEXT STEPS
Emily B. Karem
Associate Vice President, International
Kari Prince
International Liaison Officer, South Africa [email protected]
QUESTIONS