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EIL/Freeman TA Mid-Year Reunion

Saturday, April 26, 2002

Notes by A. Fantini

The Meeting

A Mid-Year Reunion was held at SIT for the EIL/Freeman Teacher Ambassadors. The meeting had several purposes; these were:

1) to re-connect with each other

2) to share what’s going on in our various schools and communities

3) to further strengthen the TA network

4) to learn more about future programs and activities.

Attendees

Ryan Bradeen, Japan 2001
Teresa Fisher, Japan 2001
Bruce Garrow, China 2001
Robert Gould, China 2001
Constance Lambert, China 2001
Karen Molina, Japan 2001
Caren Nessen, China 2001
Christine Simpson, China 2001

Agenda

Please see the attached for the schedule and agenda of topics discussed. After welcoming participants, the video produced by George Lerrigo (Japan 01) was shown and copies distributed. Our initial discussion then centered on the desirability/appropriateness of offering videotaping possibilities to future groups.

Surprisingly, participants did not see the use of a video camera as intrusive. In fact, some felt it was helpful in directing their attention to things that were going on as they were happening. And, of course, all enjoyed receiving copies of the video after the experience was over, envisioning various ways they could put it to good use.

 Their suggestions included:

            - offer, but not impose, the possibility of videotaping to future TAs

            - provide a session with those involved to help improve the videotaping

            - the same session might also help even those who take still photography

            - make a list of things to photograph or film, in advance

            - have the group discuss the plan so all are knowledgeable and the process

              does not intrude on anyone’s experience

            - a Polaroid camera is especially useful, since photos can be taken and given

               to local people on the spot

            - hold a session upon return to discuss editing techniques in preparation for the

   final version

            - send a copy of the completed video to the local rep(s) in the host country

Summary of Discussion of the Agenda

1. Current activities

Although participants have not always documented much about the impact of their experience on their current activities, much has happened and is still happening. In fact, there is a good deal of unofficial collaboration among participants from both countries and both years.  Many instances of such collaboration were cited as well as of on-going activities. Some examples included: visitations across schools, coordinated activities between schools, regional activities and projects, grant-writing that involves numerous individuals in the region, and so forth.

Further examples were provided from specific institutions. For example, at the Newfane Elementary School, the following activities have been conducted:

            - Bob Gould of BUHS conducted a workshop to teach students to make

  Chinese chess sets

- a film series on Asian topics was held and open to the community

- a dumpling party was held

            - several Chinese guests were invited to the school

            - calligraphy lessons are being held

At the Windham County level, under the direction of their new superintendent, a group of individuals has come together to promote Asian studies K-12 county-wide. The effort was initiated by past TAs with assistance from several individuals at SIT.

In Rutland, schools received a $400,000 grant to promote Asian studies, in part influenced and affected by the experience of past TAs.

And on the individual level, two teachers from the same school district (Chris Simpson, China 2001 and Karen Molina, Japan 2001), are in the process of developing a program to take students to China.

2. Brainstorming Ideas for Future Participants

Carla Fantini conducted this part of the session in an effort to learn ways to improve the preparation and the experience for future TAs. The discussion involved a review of

            - the packing list

            - reading list

            - gift suggestions

            - videos

            - and various other topics.

Carla took notes in an effort to update and improve these materials.

3. Some New Ideas

Despite an apparent “lack of coordination” among various efforts throughout the State to promote Asian studies, all with Freeman funds, participants did not see this as a negative thing. In fact, they emphasized the value of having many different avenues to involve different people in various ways.

For this reason, they see the availability of different programs through both UVM and EIL as valuable (UVM is state-wide whereas EIL concentrates on southern Vermont). Also different institutions offer programs with differing emphases and conditions. The availability of Freeman funds made directly to institutions and/or individuals is also a plus and allows for still other creative ideas. And, over time, persons involved in these diverse efforts and experiences are beginning to find each other and do good things together.

Multiple efforts often mean the possibility that some individuals may get involved in different and repeated experiences. The question of participants repeating, either to the same country or to another, was discussed and most felt that a repeat experience would be valuable toward deepening their understanding and the contributions they could then make to their own schools and communities.

One participant suggested that one way of furthering interpersonal contact between TAs and EIL/SIT was to invite SIT staff, faculty, and students to the fall EIL/Freeman reunion. Direct contact on an person to person basis may increase the possibility of collaboration and the sharing of resources.           

4. New Program Ideas

Participants then brainstormed some possible new program ideas, especially with the possibility of repeat TAs in mind. These programs might be oriented around a specific theme and/or a service project, especially one related to education. These programs would need to be lengthened, to a maximum of 4 weeks, in order to be effective. They would also allow participants to give something back to their hosts.

Ideally, these programs would be open (or restricted) to previous TAs or those with previous experience in the country. Because of the length and nature of the program, they would require more in-depth orientation and language preparation.

Examples of such projects might include:

            - teaching English

            - doing oral histories

            - work in special education

            - shadowing professional counterparts in the host country (e.g., principals,

  counselors, etc.)

5. Website

The SIT Website – the AsiaToolKit – was reviewed and various suggestions were made. Additional web links will be added, video resources and, of course, TA Action and/or Lesson Plans, as they come in.

Finally, a template format was suggested to encourage and facilitate responses from TAs about their on-going activities for sharing with others on the website. This will also be added in the near future.