The best educators rarely stand still, they are always in search of new skills, methods, and techniques that can be used to help them methodically navigate the ever-changing landscape of the classroom. It is for that reason why the Great Shape! Inc. Teach the Teachers workshops have effectively engaged hundreds of local principals and educators since 2015.
Made possible by the Sandals Foundation through a collaboration with the Ministry of Education; this year, the United States-based volunteer organization Great Shape! Inc.’s Teach the Teachers workshops are set to address critical learning needs brought forward by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The workshops, which will take place July 25th to August 5th at the Godfrey Stewart High school in Savanna-la-Mar, will focus on behavioral management, language arts, and computer training with local educators practicing new techniques in real-time.
According to Great Shape! Inc. volunteer and Co-Director for Teach the Teachers, Kait Fairchild, as schools across the island resume more frequent face-face lessons; this year’s training will examine innovative ways of stimulating learning.
“During the Behavior Management workshops in week two, we will address student’s new and emerging social-emotional needs in the post-pandemic classroom. This will be done by focusing on strategies that build connection and community, teach students how to use self-regulation and self-awareness techniques to help modify problem behaviors and give them a sense of belonging.”
Fairchild noted that the team will also address student’s regression in content areas by presenting ways to assess where students are academically so that educators can specifically address the student’s needs. “Additionally, we will teach how to use movement in the classroom to stimulate students’ interest and build their learning stamina,” said Fairchild.
Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation noted the importance of the professional support being provided by the Teach the Teachers workshops.
“The last two years have dealt a significant blow to the learning developmental needs of children across the world. Teachers will play a critical role in the Covid-19 recovery process, maneuvering the new and evolving psycho-social needs of pupils all while developing their literacy, numeracy, and other foundational skills.”
She further noted that the Sandals Foundation is grateful to have the continued support of the Great Shape! team that has stayed the course, adjusting their curriculum to reflect the digital needs at the height of the pandemic and now, redoubling efforts to further support local educators in what will be a great task ahead.
The programme will be done under the tutelage of volunteer educators from the United Sates (U.S.), Canada and Jamaica.
Topics include but are not limited to:
- Methods to enrich reading and writing techniques with emphasis on comprehension, skill building, word recognition, written expression
- Tools to provide motivation, rewards
- Techniques to build self-esteem, effective communication
- Child-centered teaching practices
- Conflict resolution, effectively managing behaviors, consequences
- Computer training from beginner to advanced (including hardware and troubleshooting)
And for the first time this year, the Teach the Teachers workshops will also offer sessions in numeracy development.
“Numeracy is an important skill for students development and success in life and helps to develop logical thinking and reasoning strategies, and assists with problem solving and many daily activities like budgeting, reading receipts, reading instructions and even playing sports,” said Fairchild. She also noted that numeracy development has been found to have an impact on later life outcomes like earnings, productivity and better health outcomes.
Sandals Resorts International and its philanthropic arm; the Sandals Foundation provides all logistical support for the Great Shape! Inc. volunteer missions across the Caribbean through the provision of complimentary accommodation at its resorts, transportation, daily meals at workshops, venue rentals when required and other needs.
Local educators interested in participating in the Great Shape! Inc. Teach the Teacher workshops July 25th to August 5th can sign up at http://teachtheteachers.net
