"Through our Eyes: Field Experiences at the Normal Schools in Mexico," a presentation by students from Escuela Normal Miguel F. Martinez in Monterrey, Mexico, takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 22 in 105 Teachers College Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public.
Six teacher education students from the Escuela Normal traveled to Lincoln this week under a program through Escuela Normal in collaboration with an International Seed Grant awarded by the College of Education and Human Sciences to Kathy Phillips, associate professor of practice in Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education.
Through the CEHS seed grant, six UNL teacher education students were selected to serve as cultural ambassadors, partnering with the education majors from the visiting institution in an effort to connect students in UNL's early childhood and elementary education programs with their counterparts from Mexico.
The six students from Escuela Normal competed for the opportunity to come to UNL for the weeklong visit where they have been involved in on-campus classes, spent a day in field-based classes in elementary schools with their UNL counterparts, visited local schools, and examined "what teacher preparation looks like" in Nebraska, Phillips said.
The exchange is intended to support the college students in developing awareness and understanding about the cultures, preparation as teachers in the different institutions, and view instruction of children in the two countries.
The exchange should offer insight to UNL teaching students about Mexican cultural and the learning needs of children from Mexico, developing a greater understanding when Nebraska students work with students from Mexico and their families.
Phillips said this is the first of what could be more exchanges under the international grant-funded program. Questions about the project can be directed to Phillips at 402-472-9957.
- Kelly Bartling, University Communications