English Teachers' Workshop at Escola Parque

May 12, 2011: English Teachers’ workshop at Escola Parque
I have attended the Public School Teachers’ Development Program (PSTDP) sponsored by the US Embassy in partnership with ACBEU and Secretaria de Educação do Estado da Bahia, reason why I had the chance to multiply what I have seen at ACBEU with English teachers that work for Escola Parque Center. But I was not the only facilitator involved in the event: I invited two PSTDP colleagues that work at Escola Parque to present the event with me as well. The discussion was completely made in English which is something not so common for us public school English teachers and the themes of the meeting were "Language Teachers as Language Learners" and "Learning Styles", both themes were selected from the first chapters of the book "From Language Learner to Language Teacher – An Introduction to Teaching English as Foreign Language", by Don Snow – PSTDP book we have used at ACBEU. Teachers loved the meeting and certainly it served to increase our self-esteem as public school English teachers: we talked about the important role teachers of English as a foreign language play during students’ learning process, due to the fact that we know a lot about our students’ strengths and weaknesses, being able to help them efficiently in this regard.

Social Networking Sites Event - Escola Parque - April 28, 2011

Cathy,

The event on Social Networking sites was a success!! The first moment was used to talk about the change in young behavior towards technology, regarding the usage of social networks, such as Twitter, Orkut, Facebook and others. Firstly we used videos to do so. At the end of the first moment, I could talk about our exchange and the sites we have used (Orkut, Blogger, Skype and Edmodo). I finished my part by asking the teachers' audience: If I can use social networking sites to establish an intercontinental exchange, why can't you use such sites to give your students the opportunity to learn through something they love so much: internet and technology?

Your collegue,
Tyrone

American Embassy visits Professor Tyrone Santiago at Escola Parque

On October 10, 2010, Escola Parque, through Professor Tyrone-Santiago, had the honor to receive representatives of the American Embassy for an official visit. Being in Salvador to participate in professional appointments, the committee decided to visit the CECR- Escola Parque for more information about how it has been the work of Professor. Tyrone regarding the divulgation of his experiences in the U.S. trip.
Ms Tara Rougles, Cultural Affairs Officer of U.S. Embassy in Brasilia, Mr. Mark Pannell, Consul and Head of Press Section, Education and Culture in Rio de Janeiro were some members of the American delegation. Once in Escola Parque, they could know its nuclei; the Global Connections Project, in partnership with the Lovejoy School (USA) and get feedback from Prof. Tyrone about issues involving the U.S. educational system and about volunteering as an important potential contribution of that country for culture and education in Brazil.
After this visit, Escola Parque aims to closer ties with Brazil and USA in the fields of education and culture, by using Global Connections Project to be always at the service of such a goal.

On my trip to the US...

After two years of virtual exchange with Lovejoy School, 4 conferences on education and technology and a book published, it was time to a real meeting between Lovejoy staff and me. We just used to wish being together one day, as going to the US would be expensive for me. God was there to solve this problem, though. At the beginning of this year, the American Embassy decided to select some Brazilian professionals in Education in order to promote an exchange, through which such professionals could see how the US Educational system worked and then shared this experience in Brazil, after the return. So, I was chosen by the American consulate in Rio de Janeiro to represent the state of Bahia. Of course, used the project Global Connections as my tool to be selected by the US consulate in Rio!!
The trip was marvelous, as I could go to four American States and to its capital, Washington DC. In such places, I could visit several schools, colleges and nonprofit organizations. I also had the chance to see the American way of life by visiting and having dinner with three American families. The most special moment would happen, though…
During the visit to Dallas, Texas, I could face the most beautiful and touching moment of the trip: when I entered the lobby of the hotel in Dallas, coming from Vermont, I had the surprise to see Lovejoy staff there: Professor Cathy McDonald, Dr. Raelynn Parks and four Lovejoy students (Maya, Derrick, Kathryn and Dominic) They handled a banner with my picture and our logo .; other materials had the same printing (mouse pad, water bottle, and T-shirts!!) It was very touching for me to see that. Of course that moment was magic and unforgettable!!!
I thank God for having had this partnership with Lovejoy School; for having a real and professionally fruitful friendship with Ms. Cathy McDonald and for being able to establish a contact between American and Brazilian Students!!!
I hope God go on blessing us!

A time to bond...

in a new way, between colleagues, between students and teacher.

The rodeo, Riscky's Barbecue at the Ft. Worth Stockyard, the Texas State Fair, and yes it does seem that everything is bigger in Texas. Sunday culminated in a quiet dinner with students, Tyrone, my superintendent, and me. We discussed future plans, we discussed the students futures, we discussed language. The students eagerly participated. What an awesome time...

In the picture you see Tyrone sharing final thoughts with the students before we went our separate ways.

Not every global connection will result in a person to person meeting like we were fortunate to have. However, every one has the potential to be as rewarding and enlightening to the students and teachers involved.

A Dream Come True... by Cathy

Tyrone was selected to be the only public school teacher in a delegation of Brasilian educators to the United States. It was totally unacceptable to me for him to come to our country and the two of us not meet. I requested permission to take a day to go and that was granted...until...I told my students. Kathryn immediately wanted to know why the seniors could not go too. After all, he is their teacher too. So we went back to the drawing board. Thanks to some generous donors, the superintendent and I took 4 seniors with us to Dallas.

The time that we spent there was a culturally enriching experience for the students as well as Tyrone. We surprised him at his hotel when he arrived. In the picture is Derrick, Cathy, Tyrone, Dominic, Maya, Kathryn, and superintendent, Rae Parks.

Many internet problems

on both the EP and LTA campuses...

And on an exciting note, Tyrone has been chosen to come to the US as part of a delegation of teachers to look at English as a Second Language in DC, Dallas, Miami...
Our current dream is to be able to get together while he is here...