Gaston teacher spends time teaching in Panama
Stanley Middle School teacher spends time teaching in Panama
Jill Hendrix had her students in mind when she chose to spend six weeks this summer teaching in a rural village deep in the jungle of Panama . The Spanish teacher at Stanley Middle School wanted to improve her language skills and come back with first-hand knowledge of Central America to share with her classes . To do this , she truly immersed herself in the culture .
Stanley Middle teacher Jill Hendrix is pictured with students she taught English to in Panama . Rice and beans every day . Electricity and running water that were not always dependable . Cell phone service , but only on sunny days . Very little contact with native English speakers . No air conditioning .
But all this gave Hendrix the opportunity to get to know and make a difference in the lives of 175 children in Panama and their teachers and to come back to Stanley with a new perspective to share with her own students .
Hendrix worked with the Panama Teacher Match program , a teacher training partnership between the United States and Panama . An accomplished teacher with 25 years of experience , she was one of only 20 educators chosen from more than 160 applicants nationwide .
The program was created to support an initiative enacted by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela , whose vision is to improve English teaching nationwide and develop bilingual teachers and students . Hendrix and other American educators were placed in schools around Panama , where they helped co-teach English lessons and develop curriculum .
Despite the many differences between Guacuco and Stanley , Hendrix said , one thing was the same : “ Children are children .”
As the six weeks came to an end , Hendrix said she questioned whether she had made a difference . The answer came from one of her third graders . He was much older than his classmates and belonged to one of the indigenous groups represented at the school , who spoke a separate language . The Panamanian children tended to look down on them , Hendrix said .
“ He sat in the back like he didn ’ t care , didn ’ t want to listen , wouldn ’ t take part ,” she said . But throughout the summer , she tried to connect with him and to call on him whenever he raised his hand . “ I ’ ve always singled out the children that look like they need the extra attention ,” she said . “ The bottom line is , he was smart .”
Toward the end of her stay , he came to Hendrix and told her , “ I ’ m going to study English in high school .” It meant a lot coming from him . In that region of Panama , most families can ’ t afford to let their children continue school past sixth grade , Hendrix explained .
“ When he said that , it just touched my heart . If he goes on to high school , I ’ ve made a difference in one student ’ s life ,” she said .
Now that she is back in her classroom at Stanley Middle , Hendrix is hoping to keep in touch with the teachers and students in Guacuco . She ’ s planning to set up a Skype session so the students can see each other and say hello .
“ It was a fabulous opportunity , and I would like for other teachers in Gaston County to have that opportunity ,” Hendrix said .
The program allowed teachers to choose an urban , suburban or rural school and to pick between a hostel or staying with a local family . Hendrix chose a homestay in the rural village of Guacuco .
“ I knew if I really wanted to learn the language the right way I needed to be away from any English at all ,” she said . “ It was very challenging for me .”
While some of the other program teachers got together on the weekends , Hendrix was four hours away from the nearest American .
“ I spoke Spanish , I dreamed in Spanish , I was immersed in Spanish ,” she said .
Her classroom in Guacuco was very different . The school taught children in shifts : the younger students attended in the morning , and the older students came from about noon to 5:30 p . m . There were no computers in the classroom and not enough desks to go around -- some children sat on the floor . Daily snacks and lunches were prepared by the students ’ mothers , who came to school to cook .
“ They would come in and hand out the food while we were teaching ,” Hendrix said , adding that the classroom felt more laid back than an American one . “ The discipline was not nearly as rigid as it is here where children have to be in their seats sitting down , quiet . If they wanted to answer questions , sometimes they would come running up to you .”
“ I want the children here to learn the value of learning another language and the opportunities that are out there for them ,” she said .
■ Experience the Program
Jill Hendrix wants other teachers in Gaston County Schools to take part in the Panama Teacher Match program , which is funded through the U . S . Embassy and Partners of the Americas . Aside from being a fantastic educational and cultural experience , Hendrix said , it ’ s an international travel opportunity that is friendly to a teacher ’ s budget : “ There was no money out of my pocket .”
The program paid for travel and a room in a hostel or homestay . It also provided a generous per diem to cover food and travel expenses . In addition , there were orientation and follow-up meetings with officials from Panama Teacher Match and Meduca , the Panamanian ministry of education . These were well-organized and helpful , Hendrix said .
“ They want the program to succeed and they listened to us ,” she said . In addition , Hendrix said , she returned from the trip with a new group of friends and professional contacts - the 19 other teachers from all over the U . S . who participated in the program along with her . “ You really build a camaraderie with these teachers ,” she said .
For information about the program , visit http :// partners . net / panamateacher-match . The application for the 2017 program will be posted on the site in December .
2 • November / December 2016 • Parent Teacher News