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Teacher Training

12/23/2014

Board member Elaine Chagnon again traveled to Nigeria this past summer. Prior to the trip, she attempted to determine topics that would be most beneficial to teachers. Making arrangements through email is dicey at best, so flexibility is key. Elaine knew teachers would come but made the assumption that there might be as many as 6, similar to last year. To her surprise, she was greeted by 12 educators from Graceland International, including the young principal! Teachers represented a range of grade levels from kindergarten through high school. She taught for two days.

Training began using Recipe for Reading as a method of teaching phonics. Teachers also worked in groups making reading games and planning reading lessons. In addition, teachers learned how to use Cornell notes and provide writing instruction.
Nearly 200 pounds of school supplies were disseminated among the teachers. The supplies were donated by staff and students from the Granby Public Schools, along with books for the young children written by Granby kindergarten students. The book-writing project, now beginning its third year, was embraced by kindergarten teacher Betsy Wilken and has spread to other class-rooms throughout the district.
Training continued the second day, with time interspersed for conversation. Discussions included shared stories, dreams for the school, and “shop talk”- the outcome being a prioritized list of needs. The principal presented this list formally as a written document prior to their departure.

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Summer Trip to Nigeria

12/19/2014

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Summer Trip to Nigeria - Part 1
A summer trip has been planned for travel to the Kaduna area of Nigeria from July 25-August 10. Board member Elaine Chagnon will join the group going. While travel to the school site in Zamfara State will be impossible due to security issues the plan is for the teachers to travel to her. Topics for teachers include further skill development and lesson planning in the areas of reading, math, and writing. Teachers will also be exposed to the Peace Club curriculum used in Jos, Nigeria that was acquired last summer.
In addition, arrangements are being made for teachers from area schools in Kaduna to attend a second set of workshops using the same format.
Last year, plans for travel to the north changed after arrival in Nigeria. Communications have already started to formulate a more proactive schedule of teacher training, given the state of unrest at the current time.

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Teacher Training

Summer Trip to Nigeria

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