Post for Tuesday 4-12-11 Magnificent day!

I discussed in the previous post that Lissa and I met with the teachers and administrators at Isla Bonita to discuss what their professional development needs were in the areas of reading and writing. We had anticipated presenting professional development focused on writer's workshop and reader's workshop and had done a couple hours of planning before leaving UNCW. Based on the needs that were discussed, we confirmed that this would mesh perfectly. We were able to get a CD of the Belize Standards and found that our workshop ideas would also align with most of the standards. So, we aligned needs, standards, and  writer's workshop for the professional development.

Our professional development experience with the teachers at Isla Bonita was a time to remember. We had a pleasant surprise when the teachers from the SPRC (San Pedro Roman Catholic School K-8) attended also. We had a packed house with every chair filled. What a fulfilling experience.
I just have to say that the people here have beautiful hearts. It took a little why to for them to get involved. There is somewhat of a trust issue with outsiders coming in. That's understandable. I think that is true anywhere. Once we were underway, the discussion flowed, laughter intermingled, and we were one, educators collaborating with educators. The highlight for me was when we were modeling an actual writer's workshop lesson and the teachers became the students. The teachers participated in a brainstorm activity that involved personal moments in their lives, planned their piece of writing, and wrote a draft. We came to the author's share component of the lesson, and the teachers volunteered to come to the front of the room, sit in the "author's chair" and share a part of their writing that was founded in personal experiences. There was poetry, short fiction, and nonfiction. This was the moment that I knew we had developed a bond of trust among us all. As each person shared, we celebrated with hand clapping and praise. Those few precious minutes were worth the price of the entire trip.