Teacher Workshop-July 2nd

Dedicated, hardworking, joyful, committed, patient, resilent, persistent, lifelong learners...the list could go on and on to describe the 20 Zambian teachers that attended the teacher workshop on Saturday. Seven communities were represented at the workshop including Garden, Chawama, N'gombe, Mutendere, Mandevu, Fumbelo, and Bauleni. These teachers are working at the community schools around Lusaka that are supported by Communities Without Borders/SWAAZ/ZANCOB. These remarkable individuals can typically be in charge of students that range in numbers from 50 to 120 with limited supplies, space, and compensation. For those of us who have been to Zambia before, we have seen these teachers at previous workshops as well as when we have had certificate ceremoniesfor those students who passed their 7th grade and 9th grade exams. Being able to reconnect and have time with these Zambian teachers is certainly one of the highlights of every trip I have been on and a big part of why I keep coming back.

Concepts that were taught during the workshop included:

-receptive language

-expressive language

-preschool frameworks

-alphabetic principle

-guided reading

-phonemic awareness

-literacy games

-songs

-basic math concepts with visuals and manipulatives

- answering wh questions

-multiple ways of learning

One of the highlights for me during the workshop happened after I taught the teachers the song Tooty-ta which is an American song I teach my students in Billerica. After teaching them this song, this teacher named Reagan said he had a song that he wanted to share with us. He proceeded to get us all belting out this song called A-PayPay Ta. It was an active song (which we have found is almost every Zambian song we have heard). A-PayPay Ta works on english words and will help improve young children's language abilities. I can't wait to teach this song to my students back home. I think the most important thing for me to take away from that little exchance was that teachable moments can happen in the most unique situations and provide learning on both sides. I certainly learn new things every time I see these special educators.

The teachers visited with us through the evening. All 20 US visitors got opportunities in the afternoon to talk with the Zambian teachers. We learned lots of interesting facts about their challenges that they overcome within their schools as well as connect to them on a personal level by sharing songs, dances, free style rapping, politics and much much more! We were a bit disappointed to hear that some of the communities have not been getting a meal during the day and we plan to figure out a way to solve this problem.

Before dinner we had a special performance by the Mtdendere Theatre Group. Their performance focused on HIV/AIDS the prevalance and complexity of the disease and related social issues. They told a story that seemed very common in this country but did so in a way that a light and humorous way. The group's goal is to educate communities of young adults and teenagers about the high risk of HIV/AIDS and the importance of being tested and knowing your status.