The Latinamericanist | Fall 2022

Outreach news & events

Exchange initiative connects teachers from U.S. and Campeche to support intercultural curriculum design

BY VERONIKA THIEBACH

Elementary school educator reflects on impact of professional development travel program for teachers

In the last issue of The Latinamericanist, it was announced that in the summer, “eight teachers will be participating in a ten-day program in Campeche to further develop relationships and projects among educators.” I was one of those eight fortunate educators.

Ms. Veronika Thiebach in Campeche

Over ten days in June, we visited significant sites including the graveyard in Pomuch and the Mayan ruins in Xtampak, met hatmakers, Mayan beekeepers, and the mayor of Campeche, and enjoyed authentic western Yucatan cuisine. But more importantly, we met teachers from, and in, federal, state and private schools as well as educators at the Instituto Campechano and the local university to gain a better understanding of what teaching looks and feels like in this part of Mexico. We found our professional experiences had much in common, such as teaching in the face of insufficient funding and grappling with the impacts of COVID-19 on our students’ learning progress. And I made some wonderful new friends, one of whom became my partner for a virtual exchange project this fall. Over the course of five Zoom meetings, Diocelina Aviles’ students at Elementary Public School ‘Joaquin Clausell’ in Campeche and the third grade magnet students at Joseph Williams Elementary School in Gainesville, Florida learned from each other about family and cultural traditions, their respective home cities, and about each other.

Ms. Veronika Thiebach speaking at the Instituto Campechano

What an amazing and authentic way for my students to begin learning about the geography, culture and economy of Mexico – a required social studies topic for third graders in Florida! As for me, I am so much better equipped to teach about Mexico and to infuse the curriculum with global themes, such as the importance and nature of community throughout the world and our responsibilities as global citizens. The Center’s Global Leader Teacher Institute and UF’s Virtual Exchange Training programs have been both personally and professionally transformative for this public elementary school teacher and I thank Dr. Mary Risner and the Center for Latin American Studies, the Longview Foundation, and the Sister Cities of Volusia for making my participation possible. ◆

Classroom visit at Colegio Xail in Campeche

Virtual exchange meeting with Ms. Thiebach's third grade class and students from Ms. Diocelina Aviles' class in Campeche

Campeche professor Irene Yolanda Aké Ché shares perspectives on Maya education

Exchange initiative brings Profesora Irene Yolanda Aké Ché from Mexico to Gainesville to connect with students and professors

As part of the continuing collaborations between UF LAS and the Universidad Autónoma de Campeche (UAC), the Center was delighted to welcome Irene Yolanda Aké Ché, instructor of Mayan language and culture from the UAC’s Centro Español y Maya (CEM). Monica Guerrero Sasia, CEM director, was also part of the visit. They were here to commemorate the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032) and discuss future partnerships and possible projects with students and faculty at UF and Santa Fe State College. ◆

State college professor conducts virtual exchange with high schoolers in Monterrey

U.S. and Mexican students connect online for intercultural learning, sharing

Ms. Eileen Santiago’s class at Broward College hosts the virtual celebration via Zoom, after completing a three month exchange project

Pre-service teachers at Broward College were part of their first virtual exchange with high schoolers in Monterrey, Mexico. Ms. Elisa V. Ruiz and Ms. Eileen Santiago collaborated with two cohorts to give the students the opportunity to experience working with students abroad and create an intercultural connection. The groups used Flip.com, a video discussion app, and Padlet, a program where you post text, images, links, documents, videos and voice recordings to communicate in the three-month period of the exchange. Both groups shared introductions, favorite meals and fun places in the community using the apps. A Zoom party was the culminating event with students at Broward College preparing a potluck and sharing the recipes on video. The students in both programs enjoyed meeting live on the platform. This exchange gave both groups the experience to meet other students without paying a trip and leaving the country. It allowed students to increase cultural competence and create a connection between the schools. ◆

Ms. Elisa V. Ruiz’s class in Monterrey, Mexico joins the virtual celebration event with Ms. Eileen Santiago’s class at Broward College via Zoom, after completing a three month exchange project