I was browsing Facebook a couple of days ago, and someone posted a link to this website about vernacular (indigenous) architecture in Africa. It's AMAZING. Most people (including me until recently) think everyone in Africa lives in mud huts. This website shows that's seriously not true. Everyone should check out this website!
http://www.africavernaculararchitecture.com/
http://www.africavernaculararchitecture.com/uganda/
Friday, August 21, 2015
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
What is it That You're Doing Again?
So I realized that I never actually posted what I will be DOING in Uganda.... I keep getting this question when I tell people I'm MOVING TO UGANDA IN NOVEMBER (not that I'm excited), so here it is!
"The primary literacy project focuses on three goals; improving teaching, increasing pupils' success, and improving the school community. Thus, as part of the primary literacy project, volunteers choose to serve as either a teacher trainer or a literacy specialist. While both roles utilize approaches to capacity building that include model and co-teaching, assessment, and engagement in national literacy initiatives, such as National Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Day, the my language spelling bee, or literacy month, there are distinct differences int he day to day job activities. Children with learning disabilities are often undiagnosed, and learners with physical challenges, visual impairments, and who are deaf or hard of hearing, are typically main streamed. While we support the inclusion model for these learners, they are often included in the general classroom without modifications and accommodations that help them access learning.
"Teacher Trainers are placed at Primary Teachers' Colleges (PTCs). They deliver conten based instruction in math, science, English, and/or ICT [I don't know what this is right now.] to pre-service teachers, in addition to training future teachers on the best practices for teaching literacy, instructional approaches, innovative instructional materials, engagement strategies, resource room or library development, positive behavior systems, and alternative discipline. [Caning is still very common in Uganda.] Teacher Trainers also provide instructional coaching for pre-service trainers during their school practice, small group remedial classes, and collaborate departmentally with faculty.
"Literacy Specialist are placed at Primary schools. They work with in-service teachers to build their capacity for literacy instruction by leading professional development on teaching phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Additionally, they collaborate with head teachers to create positive school culture and staff climate, implement resource room or library development, and design positive behavior systems and alternative discipline. Literacy Specialists also implement school-based reading intervention programs for early readers. Literacy specialists serving in primary schools implement reading intervention programs to help support pupils who are reading below grade level through various approaches including multiple modalities and small group or one-to-one instruction that support struggling readers.
"There are many opportunities for collaboration across the PTCs and the primary schools. The education programming staff will also provide support and guidance for Trainees as they determine which role is the best fit.
"One of the exciting parts of your professional work is to participate in the Peace Corps monitoring, reporting, and evaluation (MRE) process. [Oh I'm sure it's thrilling....] All Volunteers receive training on the MRE tracking and reporting system. Each Volunteer regularly reports MRE information, and this information is summarized to describe overall progress of the project. This important MRE system helps Peace Corps improve its programming and report its accomplishments. The opportunity to learn and practice professional monitoring and evaluation skills are some of the many valued benefits of Peace Corps service."
So there you have it. My official job description. Basically, I'll be working with the education system in Uganda, whether teaching future teachers or working with kids. From what I've read on other volunteers' blogs, I should get to choose between these two positions, though I have become nice and comfortable with the idea of being a Teacher Trainer like my invitation stated. Either way, I'll be working in Uganda!!
"The primary literacy project focuses on three goals; improving teaching, increasing pupils' success, and improving the school community. Thus, as part of the primary literacy project, volunteers choose to serve as either a teacher trainer or a literacy specialist. While both roles utilize approaches to capacity building that include model and co-teaching, assessment, and engagement in national literacy initiatives, such as National Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Day, the my language spelling bee, or literacy month, there are distinct differences int he day to day job activities. Children with learning disabilities are often undiagnosed, and learners with physical challenges, visual impairments, and who are deaf or hard of hearing, are typically main streamed. While we support the inclusion model for these learners, they are often included in the general classroom without modifications and accommodations that help them access learning.
"Teacher Trainers are placed at Primary Teachers' Colleges (PTCs). They deliver conten based instruction in math, science, English, and/or ICT [I don't know what this is right now.] to pre-service teachers, in addition to training future teachers on the best practices for teaching literacy, instructional approaches, innovative instructional materials, engagement strategies, resource room or library development, positive behavior systems, and alternative discipline. [Caning is still very common in Uganda.] Teacher Trainers also provide instructional coaching for pre-service trainers during their school practice, small group remedial classes, and collaborate departmentally with faculty.
"Literacy Specialist are placed at Primary schools. They work with in-service teachers to build their capacity for literacy instruction by leading professional development on teaching phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Additionally, they collaborate with head teachers to create positive school culture and staff climate, implement resource room or library development, and design positive behavior systems and alternative discipline. Literacy Specialists also implement school-based reading intervention programs for early readers. Literacy specialists serving in primary schools implement reading intervention programs to help support pupils who are reading below grade level through various approaches including multiple modalities and small group or one-to-one instruction that support struggling readers.
"There are many opportunities for collaboration across the PTCs and the primary schools. The education programming staff will also provide support and guidance for Trainees as they determine which role is the best fit.
"One of the exciting parts of your professional work is to participate in the Peace Corps monitoring, reporting, and evaluation (MRE) process. [Oh I'm sure it's thrilling....] All Volunteers receive training on the MRE tracking and reporting system. Each Volunteer regularly reports MRE information, and this information is summarized to describe overall progress of the project. This important MRE system helps Peace Corps improve its programming and report its accomplishments. The opportunity to learn and practice professional monitoring and evaluation skills are some of the many valued benefits of Peace Corps service."
So there you have it. My official job description. Basically, I'll be working with the education system in Uganda, whether teaching future teachers or working with kids. From what I've read on other volunteers' blogs, I should get to choose between these two positions, though I have become nice and comfortable with the idea of being a Teacher Trainer like my invitation stated. Either way, I'll be working in Uganda!!
Monday, August 17, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Finishing off Medical Clearances
So I finally did it. This came in my email this morning to confirm it. I have submitted all of my tasks for review for final medical clearances!!!
I know I'm going to receive clearance. All of my tests came back normal (even the TSH one, which I was particularly worried about), everything is uploaded. As long as my nurse doesn't find something else I'm missing, I'm golden. I'M GOING TO UGANDA!!!!!
With how frustrating it has been to get all of this done while away at camp, let me tell you, this comes as a serious point of excitement. I have traded so, so, sooooo many messages with my nurse, bless her heart. Sure, sometimes she would miss the entire point of my message, but for her to have put up with all of the questions from my end, I love her to the end of the world and back. And as for my doctor, she is even more amazing. She has given me so much more consulting than she technically should have outside of an appointment. The ladies at the front of her office as well as her have printed so many test results out for me, so many orders for tests, etc. Without these wonderful medical professionals, this would not have been possible.
I am so incredibly thankful for everything my doctors, dentists, and nurses have done for me these last few months in order to get me to this point.
Now I guess I have to get a hold of the student loan people and figure out how to adult...
Aug. 17 edit: I just want to pop in and add to this post how frustrating it was to do and redo and redo some of these tasks. Seriously, bless my nurse, the number of times she had to send tasks back to me with MORE clarification or pointing out something that was already on the task that I missed. I'm sure it was frustrating for her as well. I got this same email three or four times because she kept sending tasks back to me. I kept yelling at the computer, but now I realize she was just doing her job, making sure that PCMO can take care of me while I'm abroad. :)
With how frustrating it has been to get all of this done while away at camp, let me tell you, this comes as a serious point of excitement. I have traded so, so, sooooo many messages with my nurse, bless her heart. Sure, sometimes she would miss the entire point of my message, but for her to have put up with all of the questions from my end, I love her to the end of the world and back. And as for my doctor, she is even more amazing. She has given me so much more consulting than she technically should have outside of an appointment. The ladies at the front of her office as well as her have printed so many test results out for me, so many orders for tests, etc. Without these wonderful medical professionals, this would not have been possible.
I am so incredibly thankful for everything my doctors, dentists, and nurses have done for me these last few months in order to get me to this point.
Now I guess I have to get a hold of the student loan people and figure out how to adult...
Aug. 17 edit: I just want to pop in and add to this post how frustrating it was to do and redo and redo some of these tasks. Seriously, bless my nurse, the number of times she had to send tasks back to me with MORE clarification or pointing out something that was already on the task that I missed. I'm sure it was frustrating for her as well. I got this same email three or four times because she kept sending tasks back to me. I kept yelling at the computer, but now I realize she was just doing her job, making sure that PCMO can take care of me while I'm abroad. :)
Monday, August 10, 2015
Privilege(d)
I've just gotten home from camp, and while I was there, I was surrounded by all kinds of "socially conscious" people, as one of them called us. I've been thinking about that social consciousness, and realizing just how much I have grown in the last several years. For one thing, I now realize my privilege.
I am a straight, white, American woman living with a middle class family. Because of this, I have been afforded the opportunity to go to college, expand my world view enough to want to expand it more, and receive the qualifications to be able to follow my dreams for a fairly reasonable price.
In other parts of the world, my privilege is not to be taken for granted. Especially being a female, I am incredibly privileged compared to much of the world.
I have always been one to question my privilege, though. I remember being in 5th or 6th grade and wondering why I was born in the USA instead of Australia or Asia or Africa. Why was I born to these particular parents with grandparents who insisted on taking us on vacations every summer to see the United States? Why are there people who don't have food when I am able to just throw mine away if I so please? Before I even understood what privilege was, I was questioning everything about mine.
If anyone ever questions why I am joining the Peace Corps, it's because this is truly my heart. It's because I love people for simply being people. No other qualifications necessary. It's because, to a degree, I hate that I have all of the privilege to become a doctor (which my pastor's wife is totally rooting for even still), but others in the world are struggling to feed their children. It's because I have the opportunity to turn in my privilege to give someone else a little more privilege than they currently have.
I can't wait for the day when I land in Uganda and turn my privileged life into a privilege-sharing life.
I am a straight, white, American woman living with a middle class family. Because of this, I have been afforded the opportunity to go to college, expand my world view enough to want to expand it more, and receive the qualifications to be able to follow my dreams for a fairly reasonable price.
In other parts of the world, my privilege is not to be taken for granted. Especially being a female, I am incredibly privileged compared to much of the world.
I have always been one to question my privilege, though. I remember being in 5th or 6th grade and wondering why I was born in the USA instead of Australia or Asia or Africa. Why was I born to these particular parents with grandparents who insisted on taking us on vacations every summer to see the United States? Why are there people who don't have food when I am able to just throw mine away if I so please? Before I even understood what privilege was, I was questioning everything about mine.
If anyone ever questions why I am joining the Peace Corps, it's because this is truly my heart. It's because I love people for simply being people. No other qualifications necessary. It's because, to a degree, I hate that I have all of the privilege to become a doctor (which my pastor's wife is totally rooting for even still), but others in the world are struggling to feed their children. It's because I have the opportunity to turn in my privilege to give someone else a little more privilege than they currently have.
I can't wait for the day when I land in Uganda and turn my privileged life into a privilege-sharing life.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Staging Update
I received an email earlier today which shared that our staging date has even moved up a couple of days. Staging (in the US) now begins November 7 instead of November 9. I now have two fewer did to figure out how to pack my life away in two suitcases, but it'll be okay. I've changed my countdown accordingly.
October 9 update to the update on the update: Yup. This is in fact what we're doing.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
100
Today is a very important day. As of today, I have 100 days to prepare to move to a different country, continent, and culture. I can't even fathom what's in store for me, but one thing is for sure: I'm so close to medical clearance I can taste it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)