Teaching the
teachers By Chelsey Buseck
T
he challenge for Karen Foster, associate professor of literacy at the University of Central Missouri, was to take six students 1,600 miles to teach at-risk children in the steamy temperatures and exotic culture of Petersfield, Jamaica. With funding provided by a UCM Foundation Opportunity Grant, Foster took advantage of a program sponsored by Amizade, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting volunteerism, and gave the students a learning experience that will benefit them for life. “Most people who travel to Jamaica never get to really experience it,” said early childhood major Kelsey Kidd. The one-week opportunity this past summer submerged her and the other students into an unfamiliar culture and way of life. To Foster, the location of the study program didn’t matter as much as what the students took back with them. “My goals were for the students to learn to be flexible in a new environment and realistic about their expectations of the children. I wanted them to be immersed in another culture and roll with it,” she said. Roll with it they did. In the eyes of the students, everything was different in Jamaica, starting with breakfast their first morning. “I tried so many new things: papaya, mango, coconut, green plum,” said Janine Decker, a secondary math education major. “It was amazing to see that you could make a whole meal from your own backyard.” After breakfast the students were introduced to the children they would be teaching for the next five days. “My kids were between the ages of 13 and 17, which was a little intimidating,” said Decker. “But as we got to know each other, we all became more comfortable and engaged with learning.” The classroom environment in Jamaica differed from the United States. None of the students expected the extreme difference in the educational system. “In my classroom, I taught on a stage where another group of 30 children was on the other side of two blackboards,” Kidd said. “At that point I knew this was going to be a challenging experience and I was going to learn a lot.” Unaware of how many children would arrive each morning, the UCM students tweaked lesson plans and materials accordingly. “Sometimes we had to change our lesson completely. I learned to be quick on my feet when it comes to situations you aren’t prepared for as a teacher,” said Megan Layman, a secondary math education major.
To reflect on their experiences, the students kept journals recording their feelings and emotions. Each page of the journal had an inspiring inscription the students read before adding their personal reflections. One quote, “Sometimes you just have to enjoy the challenges put in front of you” by Matthias Brown, Amizade Jamaica site director, caught Layman’s attention. In her journal Layman wrote, “Oddly enough, this quote was perfect for the experience I had at the beginning of this trip. I needed a pick me up. I realized this is an amazing experience that is going to prepare me for my future.” Academics were not the only thing that surprised the students about Jamaica. “The students were constantly dancing, singing and expressing their love for the arts and crafts,” Decker said. Dance and song were popular choices with the children during break time, presenting class projects and performing at the talent show. “The children are very creative when they put their minds to it. I am hoping their enthusiasm carries over into tomorrow! I am already missing them,” noted Layman in her journal. The six UCM students each had individual experiences in Jamaica, but one thing they had in common was the devotion and love they felt toward the children by the end of the week. “They taught me so much and made their way into my heart. I just pray that they will enter a world where they can reach for their dreams and be who they want to be, because I know they deserve it,” said Decker. This appreciation was reciprocated. By the end of the week the children and various volunteers of Amizade put together a farewell party for Foster and the students. The party was filled with food, music, games and dancing. “Boy, Jamaicans know how to dance! There was dancing of all kinds. I could feel the love from all of the people who welcomed us just a few days before,” said Decker. “The ironic part is that although I am the teacher, the kids have taught me more than I could ever learn in a classroom,” Kidd said. “I learned to take time to enjoy the little things in life.” “Sing and dance for no reason,” Layman added. “I learned that obstacles are going to stand in your way of great experiences or goals. You just have to learn how to roll with the punches and keep your cool.” University of Central Missouri | today
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