NWTC Service-Learning and Civic Engagement 2017-2018 | Page 24

E D U C AT I O N A L O U T R E A C H
CHILDREN/YOUTH, EDUCATION
Early Childhood Education Abroad
Students examine educational practices
through a new lens in Belize.
As part NWTC’s study abroad
program, Early Childhood Education
(ECE) and Foundation of Teacher
Education students have been sent
to study abroad in Belize for a
learning experience with a purpose.
Since 2014, groups of students
have been completing a required
practicum by serving as student
teachers within one of the Corozal
Ministry of Education’s preschool
programs. The program focuses
on education, cultural exploration,
service-learning, and professional
development while enriching cultural
and diverse perspectives through
direct community involvement.
The students prepare ahead of time
to teach in the preschool classrooms,
often using a topic or children’s
book as a springboard to provide
extension activities promoting
early literacy and math concepts.
In addition to their time in the
classroom, students are immersed
in the Belizean culture through their
host families.
ECE faculty member Mary Beth
Boettcher has worked closely with
the Belize study abroad experience
since the program’s inception.
According to Mary Beth, “Student
learning increases the student’s
awareness of the differences not
only in the schools, family structure
and culture, but in social economic
status between the United States
and Belize.” She added, “While Belize
has preschools and schools, there is a
serious lack of resources within them,
and there are very few enrichment
activities outside of school.”
Outside of their time teaching
in the schools the students also
coordinated multiple free children’s
fairs to promote community, fun, and
wellness. The events took place in the
Corozal Children’s Library and Corozal
City square, serving over 80 children.
Olysea Keating shared her favorite
memory from her study abroad
program to Belize. “While in Belize,
I had the opportunity to work in a
preschool for a week. I was nervous.
On the first day working in the school,
I walked in and met the kids. Within
minutes, a little girl walked up to me
and tugged on my pant leg. I knelt so
that I could be at her level. She then
gave me a hug. My heart melted. I was
touched that she would come up to
me, a complete stranger, and hug me.”
NWTC is a member of The
Consortium for Belize Educational
Cooperation (COBEC), established
to link Belize with the United States
and other countries for the purpose
of strengthening and expanding their
capabilities in higher education.
This experience was overall a great learning experience for me.
It taught me patience, creativity, and flexibility. It also opened
my eyes to the fact that I may like to teach someday.
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- Participant Voice