Summer 2013  
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Social Entrepreneurism Takes Root in Maryland

  

What do you get when you combine the energy of a forward thinking principal interested in global studies (Principal Sharon Stratton of Arundel High School in Maryland), two world-traveled teachers who are passionate about students' cross cultural connections (Sherri Billheimer and Barbara Dziedzic) and two students who represent the next generation of social entrepreneurs (Aashi Parikh and Jordan Luber)? -- an exchange like no other!

  

The culminating gesture of this energetic bunch was a significant investment in the computer hardware at the Learning Resource Center in order to create live discussions among Kenyan secondary students and a community of students at Arundel High. The first discussion centered around the book The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. There was an emotional introduction as the groups finally succeeded in hearing and seeing each other through Skype after months of fundraising, old-fashioned letter writing, and anticipation. The students had remarkably similar responses to literature prompts making the distance between the two groups all that much smaller.

  

Along the way Aashi and Jordan were awarded the prestigious Youth Venture from the world recognized Ashoka Foundation that invests in promising social entrepreneurs.  Aashi took it one step further and visited her Kenyan counterparts for a face-to-face book discussion in June.  As Aashi and Jordan head off to University of Maryland in the fall they are determined to combine their interest in science and their heart felt connection to the students and schools of Kenya Connect. Can't wait to see the next chapter!                   

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 Teaching Teachers, Spreading Peace

 

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A Growing Team

 

For the past eight years a small but growing number of teachers has traveled to Wamunyu to meet and work with their Kenyan colleagues, on trips hosted by Kenya Connect.  A free-flowing exchange of strategies, ideas, questions, and concerns naturally grew out of these experiences as teachers from opposite sides of the world found common ground in their shared passion for helping students succeed in the 21st century global community. The seeds were planted for an innovative teacher training program designed to meet the particular needs of our partner schools in Kenya.  This past summer, that program blossomed in the new Learning Resource Center, as 38 Kenyan teachers gathered to attend Arts Integration workshops led by Maryland teachers Laura Groo and Tiffany Nichols. 

 

A New Approach 

 

A typical classroom in Kenya finds 40-50 students crammed into a dirt-floor classroom, seated three to a desk, sharing a few textbooks, and feeling lucky to have a pencil.  Their teachers live locally, walking miles to work after taking care of their own small farm or homestead.  Educators receive little or no ongoing training and have very limited access to the resources needed to grow as teachers.  Students strive to pass their yearly national exams, struggling to overcome the additional challenge of doing so in English, their third language.  Arts Integration is a research-based, experiential teaching strategy that engages learners by exploring meaningful connections between core curriculum and the fine arts.  This approach teaches critical thinking skills, creative problem solving, collaborative learning, communication, and leadership while capitalizing on multiple learning styles. 

 

Modern Space for Learning

 

The light filled, cheery Learning Resource Center echoed with laughter as Kenyan teachers collaborated in small groups to create collages inspired by the children's book Mama Miti, by Donna Jo Napoli.  This beautiful book tells the story of 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Muta Maatha, founder in 1977 of the Green Belt Movement. This  African grassroots organization is devoted to mobilizing and empowering citizens to combat deforestation and soil erosion by planting trees across Kenya.  Workshop attendees explored strategies for teaching English language lessons, citizen advocacy, peace, environmental science, social studies, and math by making meaningful connections to lessons on the elements of visual art and theater art.  Laura Groo, the 2012 Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year and Maryland State Finalist, led teachers through a series of innovative activities that research has shown enhance student engagement and raise individual achievement. Tiffany Nichols, Lower School Administrator for St. John's Lower School in Ellicott City, MD led a discussion about higher level thinking, incorporating state of the art questioning and active learning strategies.  The response from teachers who attended these workshops was overwhelmingly positive, with the only suggestion for improvement being to come back and do more! 

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Thanks to All for Lending your Expertise

 

whole team

 

 

Kenya Connect's computer Learning Resource Center made a leap forward as we benefited from the generosity of a variety of professionals lending a hand in late June. Tim Vorce, a computer programmer, helped Patrick network the computers and provided much needed software for the students. Teresa Vorce, a librarian, catalogued the 350 books donated to the LRC. Amy Martin, a photographer, worked hard at capturing the spirit of Kenya Connect. 
Asante Sana!

 

From bottom left: Sharon Runge, Laura Groo, Molly Standeven, James Mackey, Taylor Joyal, Teresa Vorce; Tiffany Nichols, Cyrus Musila, Tim Vorce, Patrick Munguti, Aashi Parikh, Amy Martin; James Musyoka

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Sincerely,

Executive Director, Kenya Connect