April 12, 2011

What a beautiful day!!!! I began the day at SPRC. The students in Standard VI had done some work on simple machines and were prepared to present their machines to the class. They did an incredible job!!!! I next ventured into the language arts class where the intern was leading the students through the entire writing process to create group books to be published. From there, I attended a professional development session for teachers from all over San Pedro. It was beautifully done. The teachers were responsive, engaged, and even humorous at times. They were so receptive to new ideas and just simply asked for more time to do these types of things. TIME!!!! Boy, is that a universal theme!!!! My next stop was San Pedro High School which is also home to the San Pedro Junior College. As we arrived, the students were trying out their Science Olympiad projects before they take a trip inland for three days to attend a science conference and visit a manufacturing company. This will be an excellent partnership school for Northside High School. And then we went into our first planning session with the San Pedro principals and the Minister of Education's representatives. Remarkably, we were able to draw connections between successes in NC and San Pedro, challenges in NC and San Pedro and the principal evaluation systems for the two. The principals conducted a needs assessment that revealed leadership needs in the areas of teaching critical thinking and problem solving, capacity building among staff, and exceptional children's learning strategies. Now my friends, does any of this sound familiar? Finally, we were given a moment to thank the principals for sharing San Pedro with us!!!!!!! What an experience. When we open our minds and hearts to the possiblities of this world, our opportunities are boundless!!!!! My eyes, mind and heart are open. We all want to make a difference in the lives of children..... in San Pedro, North Carolina, etc. etc. etc.