Teaching, it's what I do.

Here are a few more snapshots of our teacher training in Eldoret. Ann Gerson presented classroom management techniques our first day and I presented a review of math fact strategies along with some addition and subtraction problem solving.  Our second day was all about place value, multi digit adding and subtracting, and how to use an open number line as an additional problem solving strategy.  

Our third day and first half of our last day was all about early geometry lessons.  The teachers really enjoyed having all the manioulatives that I brought along and wanted more time to play with the pattern blocks, geoblocks, geoboards, and polydrons I received from the Math Learning Center.  Thank you MLC!  I really wish we had more time with the teachers.  It's a little like drinking from a fire hose.  

Ann finished up our time together with a presentation on supporting children in crisis. From the discussion that ensued we realized we were just seeing the tip of the iceberg.  It was evident it is not just the the students who are dealing with the trauma of food scarcity, abandonment, and violence, but the teachers as well.  They were all in Eldoret during the horrific ethnic violence of the 2007 elections and many of them are not from the "right" tribe.  Some lost several family members then.  Ann and I already thinking about next year and how to further the discussion to better support these dear teachers.  

Judy was a tremendous help to me, providing technical support and running the power points for both Ann and me.   

Each day we ask teachers to write feedback and suggestions on index cards.  On the third day a suggestion came up that we present the teachers with certificates of completion for the training.  Long story short we scrambled to create, print, and sign certificates to have ready at the closing of our last day together.  It was a huge success and the teachers were so appreciative.  

Later in Kangundo, the one day I was there, I was able to meet briefly with one of the teachers for the special needs student club.  I gave her some of the early education math supplies and introduced a few games for them.  They were thrilled and so was I.  

I am so thankful for the opportunity to share with these teachers and provide them with a few materials to help ease their lives and encourage them in the great work they are already doing.