Teaching in Africa
More Than Me: Monrovia, Liberia
Imagine Scholar: Nkomasi, South Africa
More Than Me: Monrovia, Liberia
Imagine Scholar: Nkomasi, South Africa
My co-teacher Chris and I with some of our students in the classroom in Liberia.
While working for More Than Me in Monrovia, Liberia, I helped establish the first school for girls from the slum of West Point. All my students were at risk of sexual exploitation or had a history of sexual abuse. I served as a phonics and reading teacher with a classroom of girls ages 7-17 in the mornings, then created and managed the volunteer-run After School Program in the afternoons. During my time in Liberia, I also collaborated with our school Principal to create the Be All You Can Be Library, as well as co-produced a rap single featuring four students from our school which was played on the local radio station. By the end of the year, my classroom had progressed over 2 grade levels in reading.
I also spent a month in Nkomazi, South Africa, teaching charcoal, vision boards, and mixed media projects to gifted high school students.
Teaching in Europe
Teaching Assistantship Program in France: Beaune, France
Teaching Assistantship Program in France: Beaune, France
I spent an academic year in Beaune, France teaching English in an elementary school. I used every opportunity to integrate art into the English classroom, as the visuals help immensely with language retention. I also led professional development sessions for local English as foreign language teachers. Below are two samples of the lessons I taught my students.
ESL: Body Part Projects
Abstract:
These lessons were used to teach children about parts of the body. In both activities, students identified vocabulary in English. The first exercise highlighted a numbers and name review while students created a monster using all available body vocabulary words. The second one focused on recognizing English vocabulary as students drew random flashcards and created that specific body part out of paper. After the pieces were finished, all individual parts were pieced together with teamwork to create monster collage. In both lessons students interacted with body vocabulary and art.
These lessons were used to teach children about parts of the body. In both activities, students identified vocabulary in English. The first exercise highlighted a numbers and name review while students created a monster using all available body vocabulary words. The second one focused on recognizing English vocabulary as students drew random flashcards and created that specific body part out of paper. After the pieces were finished, all individual parts were pieced together with teamwork to create monster collage. In both lessons students interacted with body vocabulary and art.
Objectives:
Students will interact with the book From Head to Toe.
Students will identify body parts in English.
Students will create a monster.
Students will construct each body part correctly.
Students will interact with the book From Head to Toe.
Students will identify body parts in English.
Students will create a monster.
Students will construct each body part correctly.
Additional activities:
Singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”
Doing the Hokey Pokey as a class
Singing “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”
Doing the Hokey Pokey as a class
Animal Family Tree
Abstract:
This lesson was designed to combine new and old vocabulary in one activity. Students exercised new vocabulary about members of the family while reviewing words associated with colors and animals. Students were asked to create a family of animals, illustrate each family member, and write about each creature’s colors.
This lesson was designed to combine new and old vocabulary in one activity. Students exercised new vocabulary about members of the family while reviewing words associated with colors and animals. Students were asked to create a family of animals, illustrate each family member, and write about each creature’s colors.
Objectives:
Students will identify members of the family in English.
Students will create a family of animals.
Students will correctly write English colors.
Students will identify members of the family in English.
Students will create a family of animals.
Students will correctly write English colors.
New Vocabulary:
Family, Grandmother, Grandfather, Grandparents, Mother (or Mom), Father (or Dad), Sister, Brother
Family, Grandmother, Grandfather, Grandparents, Mother (or Mom), Father (or Dad), Sister, Brother
Teaching in the Caribbean
Literacy Camp: St Ann's Parish, Jamaica
Literacy Camp: St Ann's Parish, Jamaica
My Girl Scout troop and I with residents in front of the library.
(I am the fourth girl from the right who is wearing a purple skirt)
While I was in high school, my Girl Scout troop and I decided to put our skills to the test and embark upon a journey overseas to help children. After a solid year of fundraising, book drives, and shoe drives, our efforts paid off and in my senior year we traveled to St. Ann’s Parish, Jamaica. During the time abroad, I team taught several elementary and middle school level classes, lead an intensive tutoring group, and helped expand the local library.
The experience was unforgettable. Early on, I learned lessons about goal setting, time management, and fundraising. I had the opportunity to understand firsthand with my fellow Girl Scouts the value of team building. Then later with the same girls I later confronted the unparalleled rush of compassion that comes with aiding others and completing community service. Since then, I have never looked back, and have continued to grow passionate about community involvement. I plan on always continuing the road to public service.
I look forward to teaching in another country one day in the future!