TFABB workshop in Belize And the shoot begins....
We are based in Punta Gorda with the TFABB team, who is conducting training classes nearby for the three hundred or so Belizean teachers and principals of the Toledo school district. Every day begins with the long but manageable walk to the school.
The school where the workshops are held is right on the coast. The beautiful ocean view makes the long hot days tolerable. In the distance you can see the coast of Guatemala.
I am impressed with the warmth that the Belizean people have towards the TFABB volunteers. Hugs, cheers and even a few tears fill the room where hundreds of teachers and principals sign up (and pay) for seminars and clinics conducted by TFABB volunteers and specially trained locals. I over hear many conversations in which the local teachers discuss how previous clinics have significantly improved their teaching skills and the learning experience for their students. I can't wait to get into the villages to speak directly to the students and teachers.
We are based in Punta Gorda with the TFABB team, who is conducting training classes nearby for the three hundred or so Belizean teachers and principals of the Toledo school district. Every day begins with the long but manageable walk to the school.
The school where the workshops are held is right on the coast. The beautiful ocean view makes the long hot days tolerable. In the distance you can see the coast of Guatemala.
I am impressed with the warmth that the Belizean people have towards the TFABB volunteers. Hugs, cheers and even a few tears fill the room where hundreds of teachers and principals sign up (and pay) for seminars and clinics conducted by TFABB volunteers and specially trained locals. I over hear many conversations in which the local teachers discuss how previous clinics have significantly improved their teaching skills and the learning experience for their students. I can't wait to get into the villages to speak directly to the students and teachers.
Village of Santa Teresa graduation The coursework is not what Kathi Dolan refers to as "chalk talk", where one drones on at the chalk board for hours. This is a completely different experience. It is a completely interactive class in which the attendees participate in mock teaching exercises. For principals, it is focused on problem solving and teacher engagement exercises. Clearly the most important aspect of the TFABB mission is that the Belizeans decide what THEY want learn based on the needs of their students. TFABB does not come in and tell them what they need to learn. The mission is completely collaborative with the Belizean government, the education leaders and the local teachers and principals. The reason this is an important project is because the impoverished Toledo district , which is mostly populated by Mayan Indians and Creole settlers, historically has been ignored. Prior to TFABB, if the government bothered to collect data from the district, scores were so low they did not register and very few students made it past a year or two of school. Today, the students have some of the highest scores and graduation rates in the country.
Anne Marshall with preschool teachers Founders, Kathi Dolan, Anne Frahn and Jennifer Johnson focused the mission on the teachers. "It's easy to want to just work with the kids, but what happens when a volunteer group leaves? Nothing is passed onto the teachers to improve education" says Frahn. "When you invest in the teachers, you impact the entire community for the better. Kathi and Jennifer are teachers themselves and understand the challenges they face. Who better to help them?"
All believe the collaborative nature of the mission as well as the consistency of the program has been key to its success. The goal is to fully train an army of teachers to take over the TFABB model. The program is tweaked as the needs change. In addition to the training, TFABB provides books and supplies to the district. The teachers and principals pay for the training as well as the essentials supplied by the team.
All believe the collaborative nature of the mission as well as the consistency of the program has been key to its success. The goal is to fully train an army of teachers to take over the TFABB model. The program is tweaked as the needs change. In addition to the training, TFABB provides books and supplies to the district. The teachers and principals pay for the training as well as the essentials supplied by the team.
Volunteers unload books in Silver Creek Belize Just traveling around the district reveals how much this organization and its volunteers have impact the community. People stop them on the street almost giddy explaining to the TFABB volunteers how excited they are to be participating in a clinic. Many ask them to visit their classrooms to see for themselves how well the instruction is working.
Back To Belize
CFTWF will return to Belize in Late 2009 or mid 2010 to continue shooting.
Our next assignment will be in the villages to highlight life of the rural Mayan
population and the progress TFABB is making there. We will meet local
principles Juan Chub and Geraldo, as well as the teachers and school
children of their villages.
To see more photos of our trip to Belize visit our facebook page.
CFTWF will return to Belize in Late 2009 or mid 2010 to continue shooting.
Our next assignment will be in the villages to highlight life of the rural Mayan
population and the progress TFABB is making there. We will meet local
principles Juan Chub and Geraldo, as well as the teachers and school
children of their villages.
To see more photos of our trip to Belize visit our facebook page.
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