BY: Juan Villanueva
Teacher, Santa Elena RC Roman
Catholic School
Dear Belizeans,
For too long, schools have been run in the traditional “chalk and talk” method where the teacher
leads instruction and the children just follow.
I wish to share with you an interesting and innovative
Leadership program that Santa Elena Primary School has embarked on, that will lead our children to new
and exciting learning opportunities. It is a one year program, sponsored by Belize Natural Energy Trust, in
collaboration with Independent Day School in Florida, and endorsed by the Ministry of Education which promotes a more “child centered” education, geared towards the holistic development of the individual learner.
While some teachers were still enjoying their last few days of summer vacation, our staff at Santa Elena Primary School in the Cayo District, were engaged in an eight day workshop facilitated by an
energetic fascilitator Mrs. Abigail Wade from NaRCIE. This year long pilot program will help us to cater for an inclusive classroom environment where ALL learners are welcome and provided with an equal opportunity to learn. To do so, we must first get to know our learners, identify which are
their intelligences (in which way they learn best), and match our teaching methods to the way learners learn.
The staff at Santa Elena Primary School invites other schools and other teachers to make learning more fun, interesting and meaningful to all learners. Education is dynamic, thus we must be in tune to new ideas, strategies and brain research which will help enhance education where no child is left behind. We are sure
that just as Santa Elena Primary school staff has embraced this vision of a happy school as the root of a happy child, there are many other teachers out there who have a passion for teaching and are committed to the holistic education of every individual learner. As passionate teachers, we must keep in our minds and our hearts
that teaching is “All About Kids,” and each child entrusted in our care truly deserves a “Teacher of the Year!”
Yours in education,
Juan Villanueva
No comments:
Post a Comment