Question: What would you show a visiting teacher to demonstrate your culture and your school?
We visited a public and a private school, as well as an after-school English language center. Students attend either the morning or the afternoon, and they go home for lunch. They study languages and science without laptops or books, and use workbooks to learn very difficult subjects. Often, they have hours of after-school homework. They are learning in order to pass the baccalaureate exam to go to university.
Sometimes, boys hitchhike to school, and the transportation to school is a real issue especially for girls in rural areas.
Their school does not provide meals or social services. The class sizes are quite large, and they must be attentive to succeed. I saw some mishavior, but mostly students were respectful and eager to participate.
When I asked some boys why they were wearing stocking caps in 90 degrees heat, they said it was because they didn't like their haircuts. I get that excuse at home! I travelled across the ocean and found that boys in Morocco do the same thing as the boys in my homeroom!
The teacher in the middle is from Ashland, Virginia and speaks with a Virgina accent. She's teaching English at a language center in Mirrakseh
During the assembly, Stepahanie and I were able to get henna tattoos!
There were girls dressed in traditional dress from different parts of Morocco. This is a traditional Amazirh dress.
These boys and their PE teacher (left) threw a football with me, but the sport they loved is the real football!
The scooters are lined up outside the Language Center--the prefered mode of transport if you are a teen without a license.
Students received postcards from my students and Stephanie's students and replied back. They also received candy--the Nerds were popular!
This student was selling bracelets for a Women's Day cause. When I bought a bracelet, he gave me his own off his wrist as well as the one I bought!
I presented a workshop to the district English teachers about Project Zero thinking routines. The training before me was on reflective practices in portfolios. Interesting how it was very similar to the professional development that I received in the U.S.--the people doing the PD must read and want to apply the same research!
Stephanie and I were asked to give out certificates. This is the principal of a private school.
A teacher wins an award for her efforts in global education