The bags are packed and the 2013 Jamaica: Education Practicum Study Abroad students are ready for their journey to start! The program begins on November 9th, 2013. Below is a video from Great Shape! Inc. on their Book in a Bag program, which started in 2006 to promote reading comprehension, library skills and reading at … Continue reading The Jamaica Study Abroad journey begins! by Anna Faiola
I had so much fun on Friday at the farewell dinner with all of the preservice teachers headed towards Jamaica. November is right around the corner…I know that they are in for an experience they will cherish forever. In the meantime, please see the video from some Jamaican children a few years ago. Georgene Crowe, one … Continue reading Getting ready for Jamaica… by Cher Gauweiler
There is nothing in this world that compares to studying abroad. There are so many things that happen when you’re traveling that no one else understands. One of my favorite things about being on this trip was the relationships I made with everyone. The people of Negril, GreatShapes! Superkids, and even the other fellow SPC … Continue reading Teaching in Jamaica by Megan Marland
When I think of my experience in Jamaica, one of my favorite quotes by Dr. Seuss comes to mind…”Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” As I write this, I’m missing Jamaica – the children in the schools, the teachers and staff at Kendal Primary, the amazing preservice teachers I traveled with, and the … Continue reading "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." by Cher Gauweiler
Everyday people wake up and take for granted numerous things in their lives, even minor things that nobody ever really thinks about. One of these things is a pair of shoes. How often do you really think about how grateful you are for your shoes? We groan over our selection of a dozen, maybe two-dozen … Continue reading Jamaica – Soles4Souls by Camille Lyle
In many ways the students at Kendal Primary school in Hanover, Jamaica are like a lot of students in the U.S. The boys like to roughhouse and the girls like to skip rope. They ran and laughed during lunch/recess and occasionally someone fell, got hurt, and the tears flowed. Some students were eager to please … Continue reading Teaching Jamaican Students by Nancy Davenport
Where do you begin to express your thoughts and feelings when you come back to a hotel filled with every amenity you could possibly need and more, knowing there are people all around you just hoping they could have just one ounce of what you were experiencing. You feel over stimulated with emotions that you … Continue reading The people of Jamaica inspired me to be a better person by KEESHA Graham
As I awoke on the spotless comfy mattress surrounded by a plethora of over-sized pillows and vast number of sheets that the Sandals resort provided, I could not help but to realize how fortunate my life has been until date. The prior’s day encounter with the children at the local Jamaican schools deeply impacted my frame of … Continue reading Jamaican Experience by John Maya
Simply Amazing! Jamaica. A country of beautiful people. A country full of pride. A country overflowing with hope. A country in need of our help. After being here since Saturday, all while enjoying the resort-type lifestyle that seems apropos for the rich and famous and not for pre-service teachers, we ventured out into our first … Continue reading Am I here to teach them or are they teaching me something much more valuable? by William Dambrosio
Upon arrival in Montego Bay, Jamaica, I am quickly greeted by Dr. Gauweiler, Megan and Camille (my other classmates). Camille and Megan escorted me to the money exchange booth because I did not have a chance to exchange any currency before departure. When I exchanged money, it was interesting to see how many different denominations … Continue reading Jamaica: Arrival Day by Mary Matlick