Schools & Communities

Classroom Program Overview

My work in Rwanda and Mexico gave me many precious gifts, none more important than teaching me the value of cooperation and mutual respect. I think what made this work so remarkable in my heart and mind, was working as a member of an integrated team. We would often all be there, but, on occasion, not. Our students watched how we interacted and recognized how we shared duties. When one of us was not there, surely a student would ask of the absent member. We relied on each other greatly and used our complementary expertise to create an environment of joyful education. We all wore different hats. A lead teacher one day, a translator the next, a support person the next. The students enjoyed an educational environment that stressed inter-dependence and an interactive curriculum.

Our curriculum ties together many subjects. In Rwanda, education is delivered in English, followed by Kinyarwandan, the country’s Bantu-based language. In Mexico, we also taught in English followed by Spanish. We incorporated a Word Wall to help build key vocabulary which added a layer of language mastery.

As part of our teacher training initiative, we asked that the children’s teacher join us for observation and assistance.

I would be happy to help you with the lessons we have here in a format that would work best for you. 

During our three hours with the students, we had a lot we wanted to pack in at each class session. We started with Module 1 but we included Module 4 (art skills and confidence building) lessons too. In other words, we taught Staying Healthy lessons for half the class meeting and then foundational art lessons for the second half. That is true for Modules 2 and 3, as well; always incorporating creative learning with science-based learning. 

From 2007 through 2013, our typical schedule was as follows: 200 students in Primary 5, two groups of 50 students each (Group A and B) at one school and two groups of 50 students each (Group A and B) at another school. On weekends, we oversaw our Youth Sports programming. Students range from 10 to 16 years of age. We offered a year-long course. Each group of students met with us one day per week between 8:00 am and 11:00 am. Each student received well over 100 hours of free education lessons plus related activities and events. 

Our normal work week ran as follows:

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday/Sunday
8-11 am Rushubi Group A (Rotates to Tuesday bi-weekly) Rushubi Group B (Rotates to Monday bi-weekly) Nyange Group A (Rotates to Thursday bi-weekly) Nyange Group B (Rotates to Wednesday bi-weekly) AoC/RDB workshops, office work & meetings AoC community initiative workshops, trainings, and youth sports and learning program
12-4 pm Office work & meetings Office work & meetings Office work & meetings Office work & meetings Office work & meetings AoC community initiative workshops, trainings, and youth sports and learning program

2007 - 2013 Programming Locations in Rwanda

2007 Classes, Set 1

Date: May – September 2007
Locations: Kabwende Primary School, Ninda community, Kabeza community
Total number of students: 75 children, 75 adults

2007 Classes, Set 2

Date: September – December 2007
Locations: Kabwende Primary School, Rushubi Primary School, Nyabigoma Sector Office
Total number of students: 100 children, 50 adults

2008 Classes, Set 3

Date: February – June 2008
Locations: Nyabigoma Primary School, Shingiro Sector Office
Total number of students: 100 children, 50 adults

2009 Classes, Set 4

Date: school year 2009
Locations: Rushubi Primary School (Group A and B), Nyabitsinde Primary School
Total number of students: 151 children

2010 Classes, Set 5

Date: school year 2010
Locations: Rushubi Primary School (Group A and B), Nyange Primary School (Group A and B)

2011 Classes, Set 6

Date: school year 2011
Locations: Rushubi Primary School (Group A and B), Nyange Primary School (Group A and B)

2012 Classes, Set 7

Date: school year 2012
Locations: Rushubi Primary School (Group A and B), Nyange Primary School (Group A and B)

2013 Classes, Set 8

Date: school year 2013
Locations: Rushubi Primary School (Group A and B), Nyange Primary School (Group A and B)

2014 - 2016 AoC Programming Locations in Mexico

2014

28-Day Program (1 semester)
Date: September – December 2014
Location: Escuela Primaria Bilingue “Ignacio Zaragoza” in Macario Gomez, Coba Road, Tulum, Quintana Roo

2015

28-Day Program (1 semester)
Date: January – May 2015
Location: Primaria Escuela Ford No. 198, Mercurio / Centauro y Satelite, Tulum, Quintana Roo

2015

28-Day Program (1 semester)
Date: September – December 2015
Location: Escuela Primaria Indigena Lázaro Cárdenas, Chunyaxché community, Felipe Carrillo Pto, Quintana Roo

2016

28-Day Program (1 semester)
Date: January – May 2016
Location: Primaria Escuela Ford No. 198, Mercurio / Centauro y Satelite, Tulum, Quintana Roo

2016

28-Day Program (1 semester)
Date: September – December 2016
Location: Escuela Primaria Indígena Jacinto Pat, Chumpón, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo- 56 km from Felipe Carrillo Puerto, 58 km from Tulum pueblo

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