Fund for Teachers 2013 - Tracie Kirven

Fund for Teachers 2013 - Tracie Kirven - Page Text Content

BC: Then Inspire...

FC: Tracie Kirven Wyoming Fund For Teachers Fellow Peru - 2013

1: My fellowship began in March, 2013, when I received notification that I had been selected to be a Fund For Teachers Fellow!! I was beside myself with excitement! My fellowship plan: Cultural Immersion for 1 month in Peru: Lima, Cusco, Nazca, Paracas, Tipon 3 weeks of intensive language classes 1 week of exploring Goals: Improve my Spanish Experience contemporary culture of Peru Learn about ancient Incan Empire Investigate ancient cultures of Peru Establish a Language - Exchange Sister School Relationship Update Curriculum & Create New Lessons

2: Studies of Ancient Civilations & Modern Culture I found opportunities EVERY DAY to practice speaking Spanish... | Week 1 | Lima | Lima, Peru | My Fellowship began in Lima -- City Tour Catedral de San Francisco, Plaza de Armas Temple of Pachacamac

3: Title | Nazca Lines | Ballestas Islands | The Nazca Lines: One of Peru's greatest mysteries. After planning lessons built around ancient indigenous cultures in the Lima region of Peru, I planned and completed a brief trip to see the Nazca lines in person... Scary & Surreal!! | The Ballestas Islands: Known as the "Little Galapagos of Peru," the Ballestas Islands, remote and jagged, offer a variety of local wildlife for viewing and interaction! Sea lions, penguins, and birds, oh my!

4: 3 Weeks in Cusco | Intensive Language Classes Cultural Immersion & Homestay New Friends & Professional Contacts School Visits & Classroom Observations City Tour & Visits to Churches &Museums Qorikancha & Sacsayhuaman

6: Total Immersion With the help of my host family, professors, and new friends from Cusco, I was able to completely immerse myself in Peruvian culture & the Spanish language. Classes, Lectures, New Ideas Through my language school, I learned so much about Peru: its customs, politics, literature, gastronomy, and language. I read novels, wrote papers, gave presentations... but when classes weren't in session.... I EXPLORED!

7: Excursion #1: Machu Picchu | The View from the Sun Gate! | The top of Machu Picchu Mountain! | At the Top of Huayna Picchu! | I visited Machu Picchu twice, after touring the Sacred Valley.

8: Excursion #2 Maras y Moray Salt Mines & Terraces | During my second weekend in the Cusco area, I traveled on an excursion to Maras and Moray. These sites were so important to the ancient peoples of the region, and still maintained and respected by contemporary culture.

9: Excursion #3 Tipon Waterways, Fountains, and an understated retreat for Incan kings | During this cultural excursion, I learned so much more about Incan traditions and beliefs. I also tried cuy (guinea pig) at a famous cuyeria!

10: Establishing a "Sister School" As a part of my fellowship commitment, I established a "sister school" in Cusco, Peru with which my students now have a pen-pal relationship.

11: Classroom observations and visits. During my fellowship, I was able to observe a few classes, with the help of my professors and my newfound teacher friend. :)

12: Back to the Classroom! After saying goodbye to my new friends, host family, and beloved professors at Ecela, and traveling back to Lima for a few more days of exploring and learning, I returned home. After 34 days apart, it was such a relief to see my family, especially my sons. :) Although it was a struggle and a sacrifice to be separated from my family for such a long time, I am so very grateful that I participated in this fellowship! My classroom, my lessons, and my instructional practices have been forever changed and improved. I am very thankful to Fund for Teachers and the Ellbogen Foundation for making this extraordinary learning experience a possibility for me. Thanks to this fellowship, in my classroom my students are now being exposed to Peruvian culture through lessons I have built around my experiences, authentic materials, pictures, and videos. Students in my Spanish II classes are composing their first "pen-pal" letters to students in Cusco, Peru. Class discussion in my Spanish classroom feels re-invigorated!

13: Students are asking meaningful questions about various topics regarding Peru, comparing and contrasting our countries while seeking connections between our cultures. I have returned from my fellowship so excited about Perú, and students can see my passion for Peruvian culture and traditions as I teach. | Thank You! -Tracie